Unjust Errors On Your Military Record Can Impede Your Life

How to appeal

A clean military record can get you places in life. Likewise, a record with negative marks for your character, misconduct, a break in your service time or other reasons may affect your chances of fulfilling your goals or taking advantage of many opportunities in life. You may also miss out on important government and VA benefits. However, if your discharge does not accurately reflect your time of service, you may be able to make a case for having your discharge status modified by taking these steps:

• Check with the appropriate administrative offices to have the mistake corrected. If you skip this step and go straight to the Discharge Review Board, it is likely that board will return your application to you without taking any action.
• Submit a performance report appeal to the corrections board for the branch of the military in which you served.
• Carefully complete DD Form 149, which is the application to correct a military record.
• Provide signed statements from witnesses who have direct knowledge of the error on your service record.
• Submit any other information that may support your cause, such as medical records or a statement from your counselor.
• Include character references from those who can attest to your service and post-service accomplishments, if this is applicable.
• Sign your form and mail it to the address that matches your branch of the service.

One of your decisions early in the process may also be to seek the assistance of an attorney who has experience with military law and before administrative boards. In fact, if you name your attorney as your representative, you may not have to deal with the stress of appearing before the board. Your California attorney can handle that for you if it is necessary. If the board accepts your appeal, you may be eligible to seek any financial benefits you lost due to the error.