How can I upgrade my military discharge status

Question

How can I upgrade my military discharge status

Answer 1

I work at a V.S.O. in CA, and the honest to God truth is that YES you CAN upgrade your discharge. They have 3 years to process and return a final verdict on each case. Of all the branches, only the Army takes longer than a year to review these cases and the Navy as little as 8 months. You just need to substantiate your claim as well as you can and provide proof, such as: evaluations, medals, certificates, achievement medals, personal character references, and other documentation supporting your good conduct. Even community service preformed while in the service and prior to counts as something positive to add to your case.

You need to go to: http://archives.gov/ follow the Veterans link, launch eVetRecs and use the application to request a modification to your DD-214. It will give you a form: DD-293 in which to request it.

You need to provide sufficient documentation supporting your claim and desire to upgrade. And of course the board prefers their verbage, so you need to say something like this:

Dear DRB or BCMR:

The following issues are the reasons I believe my discharge should be upgraded to Honorable (or RE code changed etc). If you disagree, please explain in detail why you disagree. The presumption of regularity that might normally permit you to assume that the service acted correctly in characterizing my service as less than honorable (or given you a lower RE code) does not apply to my case because of the evidence I am submitting:

(Select one of the following from the list or make one that is applicable to your situation)

-My average conduct and efficiency ratings/behavior and proficiency marks were good [or pretty good].

-I received awards and decorations.

-My record of promotions showed I was generally a good service member.

-Personal/Financial problems impaired my ability to serve.

-I was so close to finishing my tour that it was unfair to give me a bad discharge.

-My record of NJPs/Article 15s indicates only isolated or minor offenses.

-My ability to serve was impaired by my youth and immaturity.

-My ability to serve was impaired because of my marital and family and child care problems.

-When I got back from overseas, I just couldn't adjust to state-side duty.

And one of my favorites because it happens so often:

-My command abused its authority when it decided to discharge me and decided to give me a bad discharge.

There are many other possibilities for items to write to support what you need done for your discharge upgrade request. Just make sure that you are clear, concise, and proper in what you say.

The sooner you get this in, the better. You do have a time limit as perscribed by Ortiz v. Secretary of Defense, 41 F.3d 738 (D.C. Cir. 1994). DRB gives you 15 years, and BCMR gives you 3.

If you need anymore information, contact your local V.S.O.