Discharge Review Board Changes Since COVID
(Note: This article is current as of March 15, 2023. However, board processes may change in the future.) The various service discharge review boards have changed since 2020. Before COVID, veterans had to plan to travel to the Washington, DC area for personal appearance hearings. Some exceptions were made for video teleconferences, but the rule… Read More
Military Investigations: Let’s Talk About It
I spend a lot of time talking about discharge upgrades, but let’s turn to an area of the law that doesn’t get enough love: military investigations. These come in many forms. The most noteworthy are criminal investigations. Those make for good movies. However, in the military, there’s a far more common form of investigation: command… Read More
Military Discharge Upgrades – Summer 2022 Update
Just a few updated notes on the military discharge upgrade process. Personal Appearance Hearings: The several services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force) continue to evolve their processes for personal appearances. Historically, these hearings have been in person, and an applicant and military discharge counsel would travel to the board’s location… Read More
Discharge Benefits Charts
Discharged veterans often wonder what benefits they are eligible to receive. Here, we’ll attempt to consolidate some of the various charts and knowledge from across the services. There should not be significant differences between branches, but it is still helpful to look at different sources when determining whether or not you might be eligible. These… Read More
San Antonio Military Lawyer
One of our favorite cities is San Antonio, Texas. Rich in history and culture, it earned recognition as Military City, USA. We love that. It is home to a significant number of servicemembers from all branches of the US Military, and we are proud to provide them with legal representation and assistance. While we do… Read More
Can I get my military discharge upgraded?
Potential clients ask me this all the time. So, let me provide you a complete, but brief, answer. “Can I get my military discharge upgraded?” Answer: Yes or Maybe. This is a very subjective thing, but it is always possible. It takes work. You have to put together a great case, support it with solid… Read More
Discharge Upgrades: Why do I have to fight?
A lot of veterans ask why they must fight for their discharge upgrade. This is a valid question, especially when one believes that they deserve an upgrade. Here are a few points related to this. The burden of proof is on you. Once you are discharged from the military, any review board presumes that you… Read More
Navy RE Codes
We are frequently asked about RE (Reenlistment Eligibility) codes when helping with discharge upgrades, and finding the meaning and applicability of these codes can be tricky. There are several websites out there that purport to have a correct list of these codes, but many are wrong. Knowing this, we’re going to occasionally post information about… Read More
COVID-19
This is a trying time for everyone, and our awareness and understanding of this pandemic makes a huge difference. Here is a link to current CDC guidance. Also, be vigilant for any COVID-19 fraud. Sadly, this is a reality. If you suspect any fraud related to this disease, go to this website and report it…. Read More
Updated DD Form 293 (DEC 2019 Edition) for Discharge Review Boards
In December, the Department of Defense updated the DD Form 293, which is necessary to begin a case at any of the discharge review boards. The newest version bears the date Dec 2019 in the lower-left corner of the form and must be used for all future applications. The new form can be found here… Read More