How to apply for a discharge upgrade

A military review board can change a discharge. Which one takes your case depends mostly on one date. Within 15 years it is usually a Discharge Review Board and DD Form 293, unless the discharge came from a general court-martial sentence. After 15 years, or for that exception, it is a Board for Correction and DD Form 149.

If you left the service with a General, Other Than Honorable or bad-conduct discharge, or with a narrative reason or reentry code you believe is wrong, the military has a process for asking to change the record, through military review boards. VA runs a separate review for benefits, covered in What your discharge type means for VA benefits.

Within 15 years of your discharge date, a Discharge Review Board usually takes the case on DD Form 293, unless the discharge came from a general court-martial sentence, which no Discharge Review Board can review at any age. After 15 years, or for that exception, only a Board for Correction can, on DD Form 149, and its clock runs three years from the day you discovered the problem. A third board, for final review, takes only what the first two have already turned down.

Which board takes your case

Count 15 years from your discharge date. Inside that line, a Discharge Review Board (DRB) takes the case on DD Form 293. Past 15 years, the form says you "may not apply to the Discharge Review Board but must apply directly to the Service Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records" on DD Form 149.

A DRB cannot review a discharge from a general court-martial sentence at any age, and can act on any other court-martial discharge only for clemency. The Army's page says a special court-martial bad-conduct discharge can be upgraded only on the basis of clemency.

Inside 15 years, the services say the order matters. The Army says veterans asking for an upgrade "must first apply to the Army Discharge Review Board" (ADRB). The Navy's Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) says that for a discharge less than 15 years old, other than "a punitive discharge imposed by a general court-martial," you "must submit a denial from the … Naval Discharge Review Board" (NDRB). The Coast Guard says you "should apply to the Discharge Review Board (DRB) before applying to the BCMR," its Board for Correction.

For the Air Force, the correction board's instruction does not name the Discharge Review Board among its examples, but it closes a case without prejudice if you have not used other available remedies. The Air Force Discharge Review Board's own page could not be read, so this guide cannot say whether the Air Force expects the review board first. The statute says only that a declined DRB upgrade "may be considered" by a Board for Correction or the final-review board.

A Board for Correction's three years run from the day you discovered the error or injustice, not from discharge. The board may excuse a late filing in the interest of justice, and block 16 of the DD 149 asks you to explain a delay. The Air Force's instruction goes further for its own board: for requests based in whole or in part on mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a sexual assault or harassment experience, it says the three-year limit "will be waived by the Board" if applicable. The statute and the DD 149 say only that a board may excuse a late filing.

A wrong date, ribbon, name or rank on a DD-214 is not a discharge-review matter; the NDRB sends those to the BCNR. Check your DD-214 covers the correction routes.

What each board can change

Item 10 of the DD 293 lists four things you can ask to change: character of service, separation code, reentry code and narrative reason. If you ask for no specific character of service, the form says the board presumes you want Honorable. To change the narrative reason, you must name the reason you think is right. A DRB cannot give you a less favorable discharge than the one you have.

Army. The ADRB changes the characterization and the reason. The reentry (RE) code follows the reason for separation and "is not changed or upgraded solely to allow enlistment." If the ADRB upgrades to General or Honorable, the Army says it "may then decide whether to change the Reason, the authority, or the RE Code." A code entered incorrectly for the reason of separation goes first to Human Resources Command (HRC).

Navy and Marine Corps. The NDRB page says the board "is authorized to change a Reenlistment Code" but has "no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities." The same page also sends anyone asking for changes other than character of service or narrative reason to the BCNR, and the board's eligibility page lists only those two. The pages do not reconcile this, so ask the NDRB at ndrb@navy.mil before filing for a reentry code alone. It cannot change a narrative reason to or from a physical disability or medical discharge, upgrade a discharge solely to facilitate access to VA benefits, or reinstate you. Requests for a medical or disability retirement, back pay or separation pay go to the BCNR.

Coast Guard. The DRB page says it may recommend changes to five DD-214 items: character of service, separation authority, separation code, reentry code and narrative reason, but not changes based on physical disabilities. The Coast Guard's Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) lists "discharges, reenlistment codes" among the records it corrects.

Air Force. The Air Force's fact sheet says its Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) "may change the characterization of service and/or the reason for the discharge" based on equity or propriety. It does not mention codes.

Where to file, and how long it takes

The table shows each board's route and posted time as its page read on October 4, 2026. The board pages show no date; the Air Force instruction is dated September 18, 2026.

The Air Force Discharge Review Board is the gap. Its own page could not be read, so its route, hearing options and posted time are not in the table. The DD 293 prints the board's address, 3351 Celmers Lane, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762-6435, and the portal. DoD's reading room lists saf.mr.drb.workflow@us.af.mil as its contact; DoD's boards site lists usaf.pentagon.saf-mr.mbx.drb-workflow@mail.mil.

DoD's reading room holds decisional documents for each board from October 1998 on, added each quarter. It is not a way to check your own application.

What the boards say to send

The DD 293 strongly encourages requesting your military records before you apply, to avoid substantial delays. The National Personnel Records Center takes requests electronically or on Standard Form 180. Applicants are not required to attach a service record, because the DRB reviews the government's files, but DoD's webinar encourages sending copies of relevant records since those files can be incomplete. Get a copy of your DD-214 covers the DD-214 itself.

Each board adds its own requirements. The NDRB asks for a signed, dated DD 293 and a copy of DD-214 Member 4. The Army says an application without a signed signature page "cannot be processed," and mailed copies must not be originals. The BCNR says a package is viable with a signed DD 149 and supporting documents, and that the burden of showing error or injustice is yours. Its page asks for "the 2023 version" of the DD 149, while DoD's posted form is the February 2025 edition, which is marked previous edition obsolete. Ask the BCNR at BCNRApplication@us.navy.mil which to use.

The DD 293 asks what you want changed (item 10), the type of review (item 17), whether any of seven listed conditions relate to your request (item 19) and, "based on propriety, equity and/or clemency," why the board should grant the change (item 20). The seven are PTSD, TBI, other mental health, sexual assault or harassment, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, reprisal or whistleblowing, and intimate partner or domestic violence. The form prints "If checked, no special consideration applies" beside item 19 and does not explain it. Ask a free representative or the board what it means for your case.

Listing issues is optional, but the board answers in writing only the ones you list. An issue left off "may result in the Board not addressing the issue even if it is discussed in a legal brief." You can change the list or add evidence until the board closes its review for deliberation. Irreplaceable originals are not returned.

The DD 149 limits the correction you want (block 13) to 455 characters and your reasons (block 15) to 545. Block 19 asks for your evidence, and the form says, "Do not assume a document is in your record."

Report any change of address: the DD 293 warns that missing a hearing because of an unreported move can waive your right to one, and the BCNR sends decisions only by U.S. Mail.

Hearings and free help

At a Discharge Review Board you have a right to appear, in person or through counsel or an accredited representative of a VA-recognized veterans organization. The DD 293 offers a records review or a personal appearance, in person, by telephone or by video. The Army holds personal appearances in Arlington, Virginia, and its travel boards are "currently suspended."

The NDRB offers one records review and one personal appearance; the Army lets you ask for either or both. Both say that asking first for a personal appearance uses up the records review. The services and DoD do not pay your costs or your witnesses'. A missed hearing without a timely request forfeits the personal appearance.

Boards for Correction give no right to a hearing. The Army board may grant one "whenever justice requires." The BCNR decides in its sole discretion and holds hearings in person or by video conference. The Air Force board offers a video hearing at its sole discretion. The Coast Guard board holds one when its Chair decides it is warranted. Block 17 of the DD 149 asks which you want.

Representation is your cost unless you use a free source. The NDRB page says "the costs of representation, if any, are paid by the applicant and not subject to reimbursement … even if your application is successful." The boards do name free sources. The DD 293 lists the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and state or regional veterans offices, and notes that some represent only applicants who appear in the Washington, D.C. area. The Army names the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the Order of Purple Heart and county veteran service officers, and says these organizations require advanced notice.

VA's accreditation search lists accredited attorneys, claims agents and veterans service organization (VSO) representatives, and VA says one can help you complete the application.

After a decision

The Army says it mails a new DD-214 about 120 days after an ADRB decision. The Navy page says you get "either a correction of your DD Form 214 called DD Form 215 or a new DD Form 214" within 6 to 8 weeks. VA's tool page explains how to request an updated DD-214 if your upgrade came as a DD 215.

If a board does not grant everything, the Army says you may send a new DD 293 asking for a personal appearance after a records review, or appeal to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) after a personal appearance. The Army says both hearings must be conducted within 15 years of the discharge date. The NDRB sends someone who has had a personal appearance to the BCNR. Both forms ask whether the request is for reconsideration, with the prior case number and decision date: items 16a and 16b on the DD 293, blocks 11a and 11b on the DD 149. A Board for Correction must reconsider a request "supported by materials not previously presented," no matter when filed.

The final-review board

The Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB) is DoD's last stop for an upgrade request the other boards denied or only partly granted. It takes you only if you were discharged on or after December 20, 2019, received a less than honorable characterization, and have used up both the Discharge Review Board and the Board for Correction. DoD's rule defines less than honorable to include General, other than honorable, uncharacterized, bad-conduct and dishonorable discharges and dismissals. You have 365 calendar days from the day you receive the Board for Correction's decision.

You ask in writing, with no DoD form. Include your name, contact details and the Board for Correction docket number. Email is preferred, to saf.mr.darb@us.af.mil. The mailing address is Air Force Review Boards Agency, SAF/MRBD (DARB), 3351 Celmers Lane, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762-6435.

A three-member board reviews the existing case file from the beginning. DoD's Directive-type Memorandum 23-006, titled "DoW Discharge Appeal Review Board," says the petitioner "will not be permitted to provide new information." If a request contains new information, the DARB tells the petitioner to seek reconsideration first from the Board for Correction and, as appropriate, the DRB. The Secretary of the military department then has 90 calendar days to act on a recommended upgrade. If approved, a new or corrected DD-214 is issued, effective as of the original separation date. There is no further review or appeal.

The DARB rule, an interim final rule, took effect November 29, 2024, and DoD updated the directive on May 1, 2026. It covers the Coast Guard.

Defense Department guidance and special routes

Two statutes tell the boards how to treat one kind of claim. For PTSD or TBI "related to combat or military sexual trauma, as determined by the Secretary concerned," a DRB and a Board for Correction must review the case "with liberal consideration" that the condition potentially contributed to the discharge or its characterization.

The Defense Department has also issued memos. The table lists the ones the boards cite, by date.

A December 16, 2025 Pentagon News story, "War Department Reevaluates Discharge Characterizations for COVID Vaccine Refusal," said DoD had ordered a proactive review of general discharges given to people involuntarily separated solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Those former members "won't need to do anything." Each service's discharge review board reviews their records, and anyone upgraded is notified by postal mail.

The boards list other routes. The Army's page describes a process for soldiers separated under Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, available until July 3, 2028.

The VA.gov tool and VA's own review

VA.gov has a tool, "How to apply for a discharge upgrade." VA's page says it asks you some questions about your situation and then tells you how to apply based on your answers.

VA's own review of your discharge is separate. VA reviews your record automatically when you apply for benefits, to decide whether your service was honorable for VA purposes, or you can send a written request without a pending claim. The review can run while an upgrade application is open and does not change your DD-214.

VA's tool page also says that if you need mental health services for conditions related to PTSD, military sexual trauma or other experiences linked to your service, you may qualify for VA health benefits right away, without an upgrade. What your discharge type means for VA benefits says which discharges get a review and what the care requires. For the claim itself, see Filing a VA disability claim after you separate.

One example, start to finish

Example (fictional) Tasha Whitfield is a fictional former Navy petty officer third class, discharged on June 15, 2021, with a General discharge. She believes the narrative reason and the reentry code on her DD-214 are wrong, and she wants to ask for a change to those and to the characterization.

On item 10 she asks for a change to the character of service, the narrative reason and the reentry code. On item 17 she asks for the records review. The NDRB's page encourages that first and says an applicant who asks only for a personal appearance is not eligible for a second review. In item 20 she explains why, and attaches copies, not originals.

What happens next depends on the NDRB's decision. If it does not grant everything, the BCNR requires a denial from the NDRB for a discharge under 15 years old, so she files a DD 149 with the NDRB's letter. Block 16 asks when she discovered the problem. She saw the code the day she got her DD-214, so three years ran out on June 15, 2024. She explains the delay there, and the statute lets the board excuse a late filing in the interest of justice. She emails the package once to BCNRApplication@us.navy.mil.

If the BCNR then denies the upgrade in full or in part, the DARB is open to her: she was discharged after December 20, 2019, and would have used both boards. She has 365 days from the day the BCNR decision reaches her. If it arrives on March 3, 2028, her last day is March 3, 2029.

This is general information, not legal advice, and not a prediction of what any board will decide. For free help with an application, the DD 293 names the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and state or regional veterans offices, and VA's accreditation search lists accredited attorneys, claims agents and veterans service organization representatives. VA's benefits hotline is 800-827-1000. If you are in crisis, dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.