The Armed Forces Discharge Boards

Many discharged service members feel that they should be entitled to apply for a discharge upgrade. This means that they would like to have, for example, an "other than honorable" discharge officially recorded as a "general" discharge. Although anyone can attempt to attain an upgrade, the difficult part of the process is convincing the discharge board to agree with them. The armed forces discharge boards are not allowed to revoke a discharge or recall a person to active duty.

Although the process is long and very specific, knowing how to approach it will save a great deal of time and stress. Before the actual hearing can begin, you must prepare yourself. The first fact for consideration is the timeline. You can only apply for a discharge upgrade within 15 years of the discharge. Make sure to fill out and sign all the appropriate forms. The only way to win your case is to prove that your discharge was inequitable or improper. To do so, you will need signed statements from witnesses and copies of records as evidence. If you cannot handle the responsibility yourself, consider asking for assistance from either a legal representative or a military source. Knowing where to begin with a hearing for the Army administrative separation board will make all the difference.

Process of Army Administrative Separation Board

If a commander decides that a soldier should be involuntarily discharged from the Army, they will inform the soldier of these actions in writing. Upon receiving this letter, the soldier is able to meet with a military attorney for free or pay for civilian military legal help. The legal counsel will be able to assist with creating a response to evidence presented with the discharge letter. At this time the soldier may be able to meet with a separation board such as the Army administrative separation board or the Marine administrative separation board.

Who Meets Marine Administrative Separation Board?

Before beginning the process of meeting with a separation board, a service member must know if they are entitled to a hearing. If the member has more than six years of total active military service, receives a discharge for homosexuality or the characterization recommended is "other than honorable," then he is entitled to have the case heard. He is able to meet with one of the armed forces discharge boards such as the Marine administrative separation board.