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 10 statutory and secretarial boards and one review office. As a field operating agency, the AFRBA reports directly to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (SAF/MR). The AFRBA website provides a single information source for all boards and organizations, as well as a secure online electronic application portal for the Air Force Discharge Review Board, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, Department of Defense Discharge Appeal Review Board and Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review.
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) and the AF Discharge Review Board.
Army Discharge Review Board
The Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) reviews discharges of former soldiers, on the basis of issues of propriety and equity; except if the date of the former soldier’s discharge is more than 15 years or if the former soldier was punitively discharged by a General Court Martial. The purpose of the review is to determine if the discharge was granted in a proper manner, according to regulatory procedures in effect at the time, and that it was equitable, considering current policy, mitigating factors, and the total record. The Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) examines an applicant’s request to review the individual’s administrative discharge and to change the characterization of service and/or the reason for discharge based on the standards of equity and propriety.
Army Regulation 15-180: Army Discharge Review Board
This regulation governs the actions and composition of 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.
How to apply for a discharge upgrade
Answer a series of questions to get customized step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction. If your application is accepted and you upgrade your discharge, you’ll be eligible for the VA benefits you earned during your period of service.
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. OMB Approval Expires: 12/31/25 [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. OMB Approval Expires: 02/28/26 [PDF]
How to apply for a discharge upgrade
Answer a series of questions to get customized step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction. If your application is accepted and you upgrade your discharge, you’ll be eligible for the VA benefits you earned during your period of service.
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.
Veterans Legal Benefits
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is a national nonprofit that offers comprehensive support in several key areas, including discharge upgrades, combat-related special compensation, medical retirement, and Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury (TSGLI) claims. NVLSP also provides legal assistance for burn pit claims, appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), and class actions.