Posted on May 27, 2018
Which is the best strategy for upgrading a discharge, addressing the circumstances of my discharge or what I have done since leaving service?
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I am looking to upgrade a General Discharge, reading the paperwork it seems to state quite clearly that things like a good work history since leaving service are not at all important, that you simply address the circumstances of your discharge and how there was irregularities involved, but all of the advice I have gotten so far from other sources is that you should only talk about what you have done since leaving service and not to criticize the method by which you left. How do I reconcile this contradictory advice? So it is said, I feel I have a case either way, but I figure that I will only get one shot at this and I want to make it count.
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Discharge
Discharge
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 6
SPC Robert Conway You can apply to the Discharge Review Board (DRB) for a discharge upgrade or a change in the discharge reason ( character of service).
To get your discharge upgraded or your character of service changed, you will have to show that your discharge was “improper" or "inequitable." Improper means factually incorrect or inconsistent with the law.
Inequitable means inconsistent with the traditions and policies of the service.
Note neither of those things is related in any way to post service life.
Simple examples that are in no way implied to be your issue or related to you.
SGT Margeuz steals M9 pistol that was found in a latrine, feels guilty turns it in, UCMJ, OTH discharge For next 20 years Mr Marquez leads an exemplary life, helping nuns and orphaned children,,,,but that has NOTHING do to with the cause for the discharge. DRB will not even hear the case never mind approve a change.
SGT Marquez falls asleep at the CQ desk, Special CM, dishonorable discharge.
Mr Marquez applies to DRB, showing he was under a doctors care at the time, had been prescribed medication with known side effects of drowsiness, Mr Marquez includes an affidavit from his former SQD LDR that states in part Marquez had notified the SQD LDR of the meds he was taking, that the SQD LDR had notified the 1SG, but the 1SG responded with "Suck it up buttercup". Marquez submits statement he tried to tell the CDR at his CM about the meds and doctors care but was shut down and told "it made no difference.. He fell asleep and that was that. "
DRB concurs that the discharge was unwarranted, upgrades to an honorable.
If you think your case is more like the second example and less like the first
Start here, good luck
https://www.esd.whs.mil/dd/
To get your discharge upgraded or your character of service changed, you will have to show that your discharge was “improper" or "inequitable." Improper means factually incorrect or inconsistent with the law.
Inequitable means inconsistent with the traditions and policies of the service.
Note neither of those things is related in any way to post service life.
Simple examples that are in no way implied to be your issue or related to you.
SGT Margeuz steals M9 pistol that was found in a latrine, feels guilty turns it in, UCMJ, OTH discharge For next 20 years Mr Marquez leads an exemplary life, helping nuns and orphaned children,,,,but that has NOTHING do to with the cause for the discharge. DRB will not even hear the case never mind approve a change.
SGT Marquez falls asleep at the CQ desk, Special CM, dishonorable discharge.
Mr Marquez applies to DRB, showing he was under a doctors care at the time, had been prescribed medication with known side effects of drowsiness, Mr Marquez includes an affidavit from his former SQD LDR that states in part Marquez had notified the SQD LDR of the meds he was taking, that the SQD LDR had notified the 1SG, but the 1SG responded with "Suck it up buttercup". Marquez submits statement he tried to tell the CDR at his CM about the meds and doctors care but was shut down and told "it made no difference.. He fell asleep and that was that. "
DRB concurs that the discharge was unwarranted, upgrades to an honorable.
If you think your case is more like the second example and less like the first
Start here, good luck
https://www.esd.whs.mil/dd/
The official website for the Executive Services Directorate
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Get some recommendations about how you're a hard worker from your boss. Your family members and anyone who will make good comments about you being a hard working positive person and tell them to leave out the reason you got a general discharge but they are writing because they believe you deserve it to be upgraded to honorable. Btw it's been 5 years since? I'm b sure you know that but just wanted to make sure... Good luck brother
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