Military Discharge Upgrade Counsel

The U.S. Military discharges service members when they decide to release them from their obligation to serve. Usually enlisting in the U.S. armed forces requires an eight-year commitment. This usually comes with a combination of active and reserve service.  Service men and women who voluntarily separate themselves from active duty with fewer than 8 years fulfill the rest of their commitment with the IRR. The IRR is the Individual Ready Reserve. Members that are seriously disabled are retired, known as a medical retirement, rather than discharged. 

There are several types of Military Discharges. Each specific branch of the U.S. Military may have their own unique names for each of these discharge types. For example, in the Air Force, Administrative Separation does not require a court-martial. It is a process for military discharge usually referred to in shorthand as Admin. Sep.

• Honorable discharge
• Other than honorable discharge
• General discharge under honorable conditions
• Bad conduct discharge
• Medical separation
• Entry-level separation
• Dishonorable discharge
• Separation for convenience of the government

Honorable discharge is the best type of discharge a service man or woman can receive. This is given to those who performed their duties well. Those with an honorable discharge executed their missions devotedly. They were generally considered an asset to whichever branch of military in which they served.

• An Other Than Honorable discharge is the most severe type of administrative discharge. It does not require a court martial.
• It is usually given for:
  • Security violations
  • Trouble with civilian authorities
  • Assault
  • Drug possession or other violations
    • Learn How to Fight a Positive Drug Test in the Military here.
• The reason for an OTH depends on the severity of the offense and precedent in your specific branch of the military
• Receiving an OTH is a barrier to future military service

• This type of discharge indicates that service was satisfactory. However, it did not deserve the highest level of discharge due to performance and conduct. 
• Many veterans with this type of discharge may have engaged in minor misconduct. 
• Service men and women that receive this type of discharge are still eligible for most VA benefits.

• A Court martial issues Bad Conduct Discharges
• Prison time is possible depending on the severity of the bad conduct.
• This is not an administrative discharge
• Bad Conduct discharges are barriers to future military service.

• A medical separation is issued when a service member has a medical condition. This can include a mental health condition. A qualifying medical condition is one that makes it impossible to perform required duties. 
• To determine medical fitness, the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) or the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) confers.

This is not characterized as a “good” or “bad” discharge. It’s simply for people who entered the service and left before completing 180 days. 

• Dishonorable Discharges are like Bad Conduct Discharges. However, they are punitive rather than administrative.
• In order to get this type of discharge, you must be convicted at a general court martial
• This is reserved for very serious offenses such as:
  • Desertion
  • Sexual assault
  • Murder

• This is a general, catch-all type of voluntary separation or discharge.
• The military uses this when it wants a service member to leave but doesn’t have a reason according to any other type of discharge or separation.

Military Discharges from any branch of military service that are anything other than honorable will have serious consequences. In many cases, you can lose your VA benefits. It might also be difficult to find employment. Your future is at stake and you should do everything in your power to fight your discharge.

It is possible to upgrade your discharge. The Discharge Review Board hears these requests. They examine your case and the circumstances in order to determine if you are eligible for an upgrade. Skilled, experienced Military discharge upgrade lawyers can help you improve your situation.

When the Discharge Review Board hears your case, they will consider the following factors:

• The specific reasons for your discharge
• Letters of reference and recommendation
• Your general conduct
• Any educational achievements
• Your record of community service
• The amount of time since your discharge
• Your family relationships
• Any relevant employment history

Having an experienced attorney at your side to help prepare your case is essential.

You are not eligible for VA benefits if you received an Other Than Honorable Discharge. Given this, you will almost certainly want to try to upgrade it.

You can begin by applying for VA compensation or pension through your local Veterans Service Office. Also, you can apply through eBenefits. Since you received an OTH, a Character of Service review will be triggered. This will start a review at the VA regional office. It will determine if your service was honorable enough for you to be able to receive VA health care and compensation. 

In most cases, your compensation will originally be denied if you have an OTH discharge. However, those with General Discharges are generally eligible for all VA benefits except educational ones through the GI bill. 

You will need to submit evidence that your service was honorable. An experienced military discharge upgrade lawyer will be best equipped to help you prepare this evidence.

Upgrading your General Military Discharge will depend on the amount of time since the discharge, whether or not you’ve applied for an upgrade already, and your prior conduct. Hiring a military record correction lawyer offers you your best chance at upgrading your discharge.

As of recently, every branch of the military has made it easier to apply for a Military Discharge upgrade if your case involved:

• PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder
• Other mental health conditions
• TBI, or Traumatic Brain Injuries 
• Sexual assault or harassment during your time of military service
• Sexual Orientation (this includes the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy)

However, this is not an exhaustive list. There are other circumstances in which you might be eligible for an upgrade from general to honorable.