JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For veterans who believe they have experienced an error or injustice regarding their discharge and military record, the Department of Defense announced Friday renewed commitment to have them reviewed.
The DoD says over the past few years, it has issued guidance for consideration of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and prior policies. Additionally, separations involving victims of sexual assaults are currently being considered.
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The department says it is reviewing and consolidating all related policies to ensure fair and equitable review of separations for all veterans. Whether the discharge or other correction is the result of PTSD, sexual orientation, sexual assault, or some other factor, the department says it is committed to rectifying errors or injustices and treating all veterans with dignity and respect.
With this announcement, the DoD says it is reaffirming its intention to review and potentially upgrade the discharge status of all individuals that are eligible and that apply.
Request an upgrade or correction
Veterans who want a correction to their service records or believe their discharges were unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade, they are encouraged to apply for review.
Discharges
- For discharge upgrades, the veteran should complete DD Form 293 and send it to their service’s Discharge Review Board. Veterans will find the appropriate address on the form.
- For discharges more than 15 years ago, veterans should complete the DD Form 149 and send it to their service’s Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records. Veterans will find the appropriate address on the form.
Correction of records
- Veterans should complete the DD Form 149 and send it to their service’s Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records. Veterans will find the appropriate address on the form.
The DoD wants to emphasis there are three keys to successful applications for upgrade or correction.
BCM/NRs are also authorized to grant relief on the basis of clemency. Veterans who believe their post-service conduct and contributions to society support an upgrade or correction should describe their post-service activity and provide any appropriate letters or other documentation of support.
Personnel records
Personnel records for veterans who served after 1997 should be accessible online and are usually retrievable within hours of a request through the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System. To obtain personnel records from DPRIS:
Veterans will need to register for a logon and verify their current mailing address before requesting records. The whole process usually takes less than 10 minutes.
Those who served prior to 1997 or for whom electronic personnel records are not available from DPRIS, can request their records from the National Personnel Records Center using the eVetRecs website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.