I was told a response to my discharge upgrade would be about 6 months. It's been a year. Now what?

SA Jim Arnold — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 11:21:20 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 11:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 11:34:22 -0400

I'd suggest you talk with Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Sep 22 at 2016 11:44 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 11:44:09 -0400

Amendments to the DD214 for discharges, separation codes, and RE Codes must go through your service, which then goes through a board review for approval/denial. The DAV probably can't help with this, as it is not a VA issue such as disability rating. I tried to paste a link for info, but it won't work. Just google DD214 discharge appeals.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 22 at 2016 11:55 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 11:55:37 -0400

There's honestly 2 ways to play this since you've already waited a year and now they're saying an extra 6 months.

1. You wait the 6 months and cross your finger and hope they are true to their word.
2. You become the annoying guy who constantly bugs them until they expedite your findings just to shut you up and make you go away.

I mean it could legitimately be another 6 months, I don't know the typical length in the process, or they could just be trying to shoo you away and hope you forget while your paperwork gets "lost" along the way.

But the best advice I ever received was No one will ever look out for you better than yourself. If it's important to you, I'd do some follow ups. Maybe find a friend somewhere in the routing process who might be able to expedite your paperwork.

I remember when I was going through a particular rough patch where I needed a job. They said they'd call back in 2 weeks. They never did. So a week later, I started calling. Oh he's not in. Oh he's on leave. Oh he's at lunch. I heard all the excuses. But I kept calling every week. Personally, I think the only reason I got the job was because I wouldn't stop calling. Now I'm not saying be rude. Be polite. (you know the whole flies and honey thing). But be annoying. They might just get sick of you and push your paperwork through just to make you go away.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 12:42 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:42:12 -0400

Military Commandment Number 1: Hurry up and wait!!!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 22 at 2016 12:54 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:54:09 -0400

I would contact an attorney who is experienced in these issues for help

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 4:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 16:58:17 -0400

Discharge Reviewz can take at least a year or more. This is stated on the ADRB website.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 1:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:59:02 -0400

I sent my ARDB packet in back in June of 2015 and I just received the decision via mail yesterday saying that relief is warranted. They convened the board in August of 2016.