National Director’s Message Senior Benefits Advocate Report

Military Discharges and Upgrades

There are several types of military discharges that are given upon completion of service. You can find the discharge you received located on your DD-214. There are basically two main categories for enlisted personnel, which are administrative separations and punitive discharges. A punitive discharge will have an impact on a veteran’s ability to receive veterans benefits and obtain government employment. Now let’s go through the most common types of discharges and provide a brief summary.

Administrative Separations

Honorable Discharge

If a service member received a good or excellent rating for their service time by meeting or exceeding standards for performance and personal conduct, they can receive an honorable discharge.

General Discharge

A service member may receive a general discharge under honorable conditions if their performance is satisfactory, but the individual failed to meet all expectations of conduct. This discharge may also be given to a member who leaves the military before the end of their commitment. Veterans may not be eligible for certain veterans’ benefits under a general discharge, including the GI Bill.

Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) Discharge

An Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) discharge is the most severe kind you can get without a court martial. Disciplinary issues, lapses in military good order, or failing a drug test can lead to an OTH Discharge. Veterans who receive an OTH discharge cannot re-enlist in the armed forces except under very rare circumstances. Most veterans’ benefits will also be barred under these discharges.

By Aaron Stevens

by Doug Beckley National Director

Punitive Separations

For most veterans, their character of discharge has little effect on their lives after service. However, if you received a Punitive Separation, this will not be the case. There are two kinds of punitive separations a military service member can receive:

Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)

Dishonorable Discharge

Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)

Only enlisted members can receive a Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), and only through a court-martial due to punishment for bad conduct. Almost all veterans’ benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct.

Dishonorable Discharge

If the military considers a service member’s actions to be reprehensible, the general courtmartial can determine if a dishonorable discharge is in order. Murder and sexual assault are examples of situations that would result in a dishonorable discharge. Military members who receive a dishonorable discharge forfeit all military and veterans’ benefits and may have a difficult time finding work in the civilian sector.

Other Separations

Medical Discharge

A service member may receive a medical discharge or separation if a medical or mental condition prevents them from continuing to serve. Two medical review boards determine medical discharges: the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) and the Medical Evaluation Board (or MEB). A medical discharge is a military administrative discharge that typically is not viewed negatively on an individual’s record, depending on the conditions and circumstances. If you receive a Medical Discharge, you can still be eligible for most entitlements given to veterans.

How to Upgrade a Military Discharge

In some situations, you may be eligible to apply to have your military discharge upgraded to a higher rating. Veterans who believe the character of their discharge from service was unjust or erroneous, can apply for an upgrade. The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs both operate an online tool to facilitate the application process found at https://www.va.gov/dischargeupgrade-instructions/.

If you are within 15 years of your discharge, you will need to apply to the Discharge Review Board (DRB) on a DD-293. The DRB can upgrade the character of discharge on your DD214. However, DRB’s are not able to overturn a court-martial’s decision. To connect with one of the Discharge Review Boards, please see the following web address: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records- center/vso/boards-for-correction-of-militaryrecords.

You may also apply for an upgrade through the Service Board for Correction of Military/ Naval Records (BCM/NR). You must apply within 3 years of discovering the “error or injustice” that you are asking the Board to fix. The Board can choose to disregard this deadline “in the interest of justice,” so you should not let it stop you from applying. At this point you may submit a new DD Form 149 to your respective BCM/NR and apply for reconsideration of your case. BCMRs are more powerful than DRBs. They can upgrade any character of discharge and change any reason for discharge.

As always, contact your local PVA National Service Officer with any questions.

Thank you,

Aaron Stevens