Information and resources about Military Discharge Issues for Veterans.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Air Force Review Boards Agency
The Air Force Review Boards Agency (AFRBA) was established to streamline the adjudication of military and civilian personnel matters through a number of statutory and secretarial boards. Our Agency reports directly to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (SAF/MR). Acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force and Secretary of Defense, the boards and panels that sit within the AFRBA make decisions and recommendations for warfighters, civilians, veterans, and their families, on correction of records ensuring fairness, equity, justice, and due process. The AF Discharge Review Board, a Statutory Board that examines an applicant's administrative discharge and may change the characterization of service and/or the reason for the discharge based on standards of equity or propriety is under the AFRBA.
DoD Forms Management Program
The Official DoD Website for DoD Forms. Lists forms that are available from the DoD. If the form number does not have a hyperlink, the form is not available electronically. To obtain hard copies of current forms not available in electronic format, please contact your own Military Service or DoD Component Forms Management Officer. Cancelled forms are not available in electronic formats.
Fact Sheet: Air Force Review Boards Agency
Information about the Air Force Review Boards Agency (AFRBA), which was established to streamline the adjudication of military and civilian personnel matters through a number of statutory and secretarial boards. Included in the jurisdiction of the AFRBA is the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR). This is a statutory board of civilians considering applications for correction of military records submitted by Air Force members (Regular, Guard, and Reserve), former members of the Air Force, or persons with a proper interest in the correction of a person's military record and the AF Discharge Review Board, a Statutory Board that examines an applicant's administrative discharge and may change the characterization of service and/or the reason for the discharge based on standards of equity or propriety.
Army Discharge Review Board
Information on the process to file an Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Regular Army, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard.
Army Discharge Review Board - Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about the operation of the Army Discharge Review Board.
Army Regulation 15-180: Army Discharge Review Board
Regulation governing the Army Discharge Review Board. (2021)
DoD Forms Management Program
The Official DoD Website for DoD Forms. Lists forms that are available from the DoD. If the form number does not have a hyperlink, the form is not available electronically. To obtain hard copies of current forms not available in electronic format, please contact your own Military Service or DoD Component Forms Management Officer. Cancelled forms are not available in electronic formats.
Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) of the Coast Guard
The Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) of the Coast Guard is a board of civilians which has authority to review and correct the personnel records of current and former members of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. Such records include, but are not limited to, records regarding discharges, reenlistment codes, disciplinary matters, performance evaluations, selection for promotion, advancement, retirement, dates of service, disability ratings, medals, and various bonuses and benefits.
DoD Forms Management Program
The Official DoD Website for DoD Forms. Lists forms that are available from the DoD. If the form number does not have a hyperlink, the form is not available electronically. To obtain hard copies of current forms not available in electronic format, please contact your own Military Service or DoD Component Forms Management Officer. Cancelled forms are not available in electronic formats.
Correcting Military Service Records
Information on the process to correct military records that contain inaccurate information.
Department of Defense Electronic Reading Room for Corrections and Discharge Review Boards
This is the Department of Defense Electronic Reading Room for the Military Departments Boards for the Corrections of Military/Naval Records and the Discharge Review Boards. The Reading Room contains the decisional documents for each of the Boards from October 1998.
DoD Forms Management Program
The Official DoD Website for DoD Forms. Lists forms that are available from the DoD. If the form number does not have a hyperlink, the form is not available electronically. To obtain hard copies of current forms not available in electronic format, please contact your own Military Service or DoD Component Forms Management Officer. Cancelled forms are not available in electronic formats.
DoD Releases Clarifying Guidance to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records
The Department of Defense released clarifying guidance for discharges and military records reviews in 2017. This guidance clarifies the process for reviews and ensures a fair and equitable review of separations for all veterans.
Self-Help Manual: Applying for VA Benefits After a Discharge Upgrade
The manual is designed to be a step-by-step guide to inform and assist veterans in accessing the benefits that they may be eligible to receive once they have obtained a discharge upgrade. The first section of the manual is an overview that lists the categories of veterans benefits available from the VA and the discharge characterization required to qualify. The second section discusses each of these programs in detail and explains how to apply. The third section provides guidance on the appeals process if the VA denies the application. Finally, the last section identifies several resources for veterans applying for VA benefits and/or challenging denials
Are You a Veteran Needing Help With a Legal Question? - ABA Free Legal Answers
Information from the American Bar Association Military and Veterans Legal Center about Federal ABA Free Legal Answers, a website where you can submit your questions about civil legal issues pertaining to veterans, including VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and similar veterans’ legal issues, and receive answers from pro bono lawyers.
DD Form 149 - Application For Correction of Military Record
Application form to request correction of Military Record from the Executive Services Directorate. [PDF]
DD Form 293 - Application For the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States
Form used to apply for a review of discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States. [PDF]
How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade
This online tool allows you to answer a series of questions to get customized step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction.
Request Your Military Service Records Online, by Mail, or by Fax
Recent military service and medical records are NOT online. However, most veterans and their next of kin can use this system from the National Archives to create a customized order form to obtain free copies of your, or your relative's, military personnel records.
Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal is a national resource for members of the military, veterans, their families and advocates. It goal is to help you access benefits, find free legal help, and better understand your legal issues. This site indexes the best legal information available in one easy-to-use website that includes interactive forms, videos, and legal analysis.
Veterans Legal Help Navigator
This online tool from Stateside Legal helps veterans' caseworkers and advocates across the country find the right fit legal help for veterans. The Navigator will ask a series of questions about the veteran's income, household size, location and legal issue. Using this information, it will provide the right fit legal help for the veteran. The Navigator will also suggest resources to learn about the veteran’s legal issue and self-help materials for the veteran.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Self-Help Manual: Applying for VA Benefits After a Discharge Upgrade
The manual is designed to be a step-by-step guide to inform and assist veterans in accessing the benefits that they may be eligible to receive once they have obtained a discharge upgrade. The first section of the manual is an overview that lists the categories of veterans benefits available from the VA and the discharge characterization required to qualify. The second section discusses each of these programs in detail and explains how to apply. The third section provides guidance on the appeals process if the VA denies the application. Finally, the last section identifies several resources for veterans applying for VA benefits and/or challenging denials
Veterans Legal Benefits
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is a national nonprofit organization that has worked since 1981 to ensure that the government delivers to our nation's 22 million veterans and active-duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled because of disabilities resulting from their military service to our country.