Posted on Mar 21, 2018
SPC Robert Stowell
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SSG Trevor S.
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Eligible is different than deserving.
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SPC Robert Stowell
SPC Robert Stowell
>1 y
Thanks for the tidbit SSG. I really need to know what that entails though. If you wanted to help.
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CWO3 Us Marine
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Edited >1 y ago
BCDs or OTHs don't have a shelf life. You will have to take the actions required through the Service, BCMR or CMA to challenge your discharge. Nothing about this is automatic. It takes paper to change paper.
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SPC Robert Stowell
SPC Robert Stowell
>1 y
Thank you sir, this was the most valuable reply, yet.
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CWO3 Us Marine
CWO3 (Join to see)
>1 y
SPC Robert Stowell - I hope it works out for you. There may be some folks that provide legal assistance out there. That would be helpful. I am not qualified, but accepting responsibility often goes a long way. Focus more on any legal mistakes, or actual injustices rather than how you think you were wronged. Contrition up front can often set the tone for how it is read and acted upon. Good luck with the rest of your journey.
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CWO3 Us Marine
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>1 y
My advice was from me to him, and you're not a part of that, but thanks for making your position known. You know nothing about this guy or his case. Neither do I. With a "zero defect" mentality, I hope for your sake you never get twisted up with the law or make a mistake. It's easy to play "the hard", but the downside is you have to be "the hard" when misfortune pays you a visit - or your actions bring hard times due to a lapse of judgement. The last perfect man died on a cross, if you so believe. I wish you well, and hope that age will bring maturity to how you look upon and treat others.
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Sgt John Earley
Sgt John Earley
>1 y
Awesomely said, to remind everyone, that's the devil's way of thinking....remender he doesn't want any good to happen to us...and will try to keep his influence out there. Think positive and not negativity....
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SFC Andrew Miller
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Contact the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium. They can review your situation and determine if you have a case. A very small percentage of discharge upgrades are approved, for good reason.

Only the Board for the Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMR), not the Discharge Review Board (DRB), can review a discharge over 15 years old or upgrade a Bad Conduct Discharge, BCD, or Dishonorable Discharge, DD, given in a General Court Martial. Only the BCMR, not the DRB, can change the reason for discharge to physical disability, or revoke a discharge and reinstate a veteran to active duty.
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It has been 6 years since I have been discharged from the Army with a BCD. Am I eligible for an upgrade yet?
COL Deputy G2
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DD Form 293 is what you need to request a change in your discharge. You need to do it within 15 years of your discharge. You should probably talk to a lawyer, preferably an ex JAG lawyer who understands military. Good luck- you really will need it.
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SPC Robert Stowell
SPC Robert Stowell
>1 y
Thank you very much sir. Ive made a complete turn around since the time of my discharge. Any prayers are helpful.
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COL Deputy G2
COL (Join to see)
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Understand that a majority of the board members will place more enfaces on what you did to get the BCD then how much of a model citizen you have been. Just be aware and good luck.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Edited >1 y ago
Just because it has been six years, does not mean that your Bad Conduct Discharge has expired. You will have an uphill battle trying to get it changed.
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Sgt John Earley
Sgt John Earley
>1 y
Yes there is a way to upgrade your CBS. I have done it for my brother, and yes it's a long drown out procedure, there are a lot of things you have to look for and do....but I was determined to help my brother to get this accomplish.
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Sgt John Earley
Sgt John Earley
>1 y
That's BCD, Not CBS. STUPID spell check....and also, why can't we edited our post.......????
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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Sgt John Earley - You can edit, just not on your phone.
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Sgt John Earley
Sgt John Earley
>1 y
That sucks. I only have my phone, I'm too poor to get a computer, lol
Will they should reprogram the Android for people like me....lol
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Katie Gladki
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SFC Andrew Miller mentioned the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium. Contact them at [login to see] or by e-mail at [login to see] . They are based in D.C. but help vets throughout the country.
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SFC Andrew Miller
SFC Andrew Miller
7 y
Thank you, Katie Gladki , I should have added their contact information.
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Katie Gladki
Katie Gladki
7 y
No problem at all. Happy to help.
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LTC Dentist
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I always want to know what the discharge is for first before I answer questions like this. The military community is truly a band of brothers and will do a lot to help you....if you deserve it. You may be awesome but I find that most people discharged with other than honorable to be exactly that...other than honorable.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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>1 y
Bad Conduct Discharge ups the ante a bit. You don't get a BCD from getting drunk or even DWI. You get it for running over someone while drunk. Or stealing a car and driving it while drunk.
There has to be an actual crime that resulted in a conviction with a confinement sentence.
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Cpl Tom Surdi
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Edited >1 y ago
That depends on what you did. Very few are ever turned over into General Discharge. But considering you can only receive a BCD if you were Court-Martial'd and probably spent time in prison, it doesn't look that that good for you.

Here is a useful website that tells you how.

https://themilitarywallet.com/types-of-military-discharges/
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SGT Eric Davis
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Just cause it’s been 6 years don’t mean you are automatically eligible for an upgrade. You have to prove the the discharge was unjust and unfair. I had a misconduct discharge and since I been out I’ve been in college and became a police officer but that still didn’t help my upgrade and I had proof that I was lied upon leaving the military but that didn’t help an upgrade. I just got back in wit a waiver and it was only cause the proof I had to show I should of not been discharged.



So again I hate I for you but you need to contact a VET REP or William Cassara to help you!!
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
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SPC Robert Stowell refer to SFC Andrew Miller post. The Board for the Correction Military Records is the correct venue to present your request. (that venue determines if you are deserving, you are an individual with a label and only the proper authority can determine if there are mitigating circumstances). Do not spend money. Go to a Veteran Service Organization such as the Disabled American Veterans DAV or go to your County Veterans Service Officer in the courthouse building or wherever local county government has it housed. Any positive documentation you have such as employment reviews, volunteerism, letters of character, or anything that gives a picture of you today should be included as character reference. If you have any diagnoses from doctors, clinics, support groups for PTSD, substance abuse that is military related include that also. And any hardships incurred by a BCD include those. Best wishes to you.
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