Need help with upgrading my discharge (Any advice?)

SrA Chandler Tuscany — Sat, 16 May 2015 16:51:50 -0400

So I got out of the Air Force in March of 2015 with a general under honorable conditions. Is the process pretty easy getting it upgraded after 6 months?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 5:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 17:22:23 -0400

Had a buddy some years ago that had to do this. He said (granted this was 12 yrs ago) the process was a pain in the rear. I'd recommend contacting your local VA and see if they have knowledge about it. Or, contact your nearest military facility.....perhaps the JAG office knows.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 16 at 2015 6:07 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 16 May 2015 18:07:24 -0400

Get all your paper-work and go see a VFW service rep.
Do not go into this alone!

http://www.afjag.af.mil/questions/jaja/upgradingdischarge.asp

Air Force Judge Advocate - Upgrading Discharge

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Sep 25 at 2015 1:04 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:04:32 -0400

The Air Force like the Army has an agency review board for most if not all discharges, the best part its free:

http://www.afpc.af.mil/afveteraninformation/airforcedischargereviewboard/index.asp

Air Force Personnel Center - Air Force Discharge Review Board

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 20 at 2015 1:16 AM

SrA David Steyer — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 01:16:01 -0500

Get an attorney. I'm not an attorney but I tried to help a friend. If you are serious about it, and I say serious about it for a reason because PLEASE be completely honest and forthcoming with any appeals. I have a friend who got a general discharge a few years back and he was looking to upgrade it about a year and a half ago.

I looked over his paperwork and documentation, such as LOC's, LOR's etc and I spent a few hours doing this because I had quite a bit of documentation and I gave him some pointers and noted some things to point out on any future appeals. Thankfully he was working with an attorney, plus I know I was missing some stuff, and given the circumstances the general discharge is not hurting him and he looks to be doing really well for himself.

I am not at all saying it isn't worth upgrading but just be mindful to be truthful and honest in this process.

Response by SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. made Nov 26 at 2015 12:32 PM

SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 12:32:44 -0500

There is a lot of misconceptions surrounding discharge upgrades. First, there is no special time frame for when it becomes easier. You can petition for an upgrade one day after your out or ten years-there is a statute of limitations, but that's another discussion. It's a highly legalistic argument with little emphasis on how different you are now and how much you have turned your life around. These emotional arguments do carry some weight though and when combined with a good legal argument they can turn the tides in your favor. However, without solid legal reasoning you are not going to get far. Also, this is not a quick process. You will go through the correction boards first, and if their reasoning is flawed you will be appealing to the federal courts. This can lead to years of back and forth as the courts remand and the board reconsiders. It can also be cost prohibitive depending on legal counsel that is retained. Remember, retired JAG attorneys are usually experienced in a slew of military matters, which means that they may have little to no experience with certain areas such as administrative appeals.

Response by John Mastromarino made Apr 15 at 2019 2:14 PM

John Mastromarino — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 14:14:12 -0400

I would like upgrade my discharge it is a under other than honorable conditions it says misconduct-frequent involvement i joined the marines back in January 30th 1978 i have never been arrested and held good jobs and never got fired right now i work for Larchmont/Mamaroneck sanitation since July 5th 2005 I’m getting ready to retire in 3years and I would like to use my military time towards my retirement please help