Form DD Form 293 DD Form 293 Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed F

APPLICATION FOR THE REVIEW OF DISCHARGE
FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES

OMB No. 0704-0004
OMB approval expires

(Please read Privacy Act Statement and Instructions on Pages 3 and 4 BEFORE completing this application.)
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Executive Services Directorate, Directives Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-3100
(0704-0004). Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a
currently valid OMB control number.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO THE APPROPRIATE ADDRESS ON BACK OF THIS PAGE.

1. APPLICANT DATA (The person whose discharge is to be reviewed) . PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE INFORMATION.
a. BRANCH OF SERVICE (X one)

ARMY

MARINE CORPS

NAVY

AIR FORCE

COAST GUARD

c. GRADE/RANK AT DISCHARGE

b. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial)
e. CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS OF APPLICANT OR PERSON NAMED IN ITEM 11
(Forward notification of any change in address.)

d. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

f. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include Area Code)

g. E-MAIL
h. FAX NUMBER (Include Area Code)

2. DATE OF DISCHARGE OR SEPARATION
(YYYYMMDD) (If date is more than 15 years
ago, submit a DD Form 149)

4. DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATION RECEIVED
(X one)

CHANGE TO HONORABLE

HONORABLE
GENERAL/UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS

3. UNIT AND LOCATION AT DISCHARGE
OR SEPARATION

5. BOARD ACTION REQUESTED (X all that apply)

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS
BAD CONDUCT (Special Court-Martial only)
UNCHARACTERIZED
OTHER (Explain)

CHANGE TO GENERAL/UNDER HONORABLE
CONDITIONS
CHANGE TO UNCHARACTERIZED (Not applicable
to Air Force or service members with over 6 months of
service)
CHANGE NARRATIVE REASON FOR
SEPARATION:

6. ISSUES: WHY AN UPGRADE OR CHANGE IS REQUESTED AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REQUEST (Continue in Item 13. See instructions on Page 3.)

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7. (X if applicable) AN APPLICATION WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED ON (YYYYMMDD)
AND THIS FORM IS SUBMITTED TO ADD ADDITIONAL ISSUES, JUSTIFICATION, OR EVIDENCE.
8. IN SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION, THE FOLLOWING ATTACHED DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED AS EVIDENCE: (Continue in Item 14.
If military documents or medical records are relevant to your case, please send copies.)

9. TYPE OF REVIEW REQUESTED (X one)
CONDUCT A RECORD REVIEW OF MY DISCHARGE BASED ON MY MILITARY PERSONNEL FILE AND ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED BY ME.
I AND/OR (counsel/representative) WILL NOT APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD.
I AND/OR (counsel/representative) WISH TO APPEAR AT A HEARING AT NO EXPENSE TO THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE BOARD IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C.
METROPOLITAN AREA.
I AND/OR (counsel/representative) WISH TO APPEAR AT A HEARING AT NO EXPENSE TO THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE A TRAVELING PANEL CLOSEST TO
(NOTE: The Naval and Coast Guard Discharge Review Boards do not have traveling panels.)

(enter city and state)

10.a. COUNSEL/REPRESENTATIVE (If any) NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial)
AND ADDRESS (See Item 10 of the instructions about counsel/representative.)

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include Area Code)

c. E-MAIL
d. FAX NUMBER (Include Area Code)

11. APPLICANT MUST SIGN IN ITEM 12.a. BELOW. If the record in question is that of a deceased or incompetent person, LEGAL PROOF OF
DEATH OR INCOMPETENCY MUST ACCOMPANY THE APPLICATION. If the application is signed by other than the applicant, indicate the
name (print)
and relationship by marking a box below.
SPOUSE

WIDOW

WIDOWER

NEXT OF KIN

LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE

OTHER (Specify)

12. CERTIFICATION. I make the foregoing statements, as part of my claim, with full knowledge of the penalties
involved for willfully making a false statement or claim. (U.S. Code, Title 18, Sections 287 and 1001, provide
that an individual shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.)
a. SIGNATURE - REQUIRED (Applicant or person in Item 11 above)

DD FORM 293, 20140924 DRAFT

CASE NUMBER
(Do not write in this space.)

b. DATE SIGNED - REQUIRED (YYYYMMDD)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE.

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13. CONTINUATION OF ITEM 6, ISSUES (If applicable)

14. CONTINUATION OF ITEM 8, SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (If applicable)

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15. REMARKS (If applicable)

MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO APPROPRIATE ADDRESS BELOW.
ARMY
Army Review Boards Agency
251 18th Street South
Suite 385
Arlington, VA 22202-3531
(See http://arba.army.pentagon.mil)
AIR FORCE
Air Force Review Boards Agency
SAF/MRBR
550-C Street West, Suite 40
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4742

DD FORM 293, 20140924 DRAFT

NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
Secretary of the Navy
Council of Review Boards
ATTN: Naval Discharge Review Board
720 Kennon Ave S.E., Suite 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023
COAST GUARD
Commandant (CG-133)
Attn: Office of Military Personnel
US Coast Guard Stop 7907
2703 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E.
Washington, DC 20593-7907
Page 2 of 4 Pages

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
AUTHORITY: 10 U.S.C. 1553, Review of Discharge or Dismissal; DoD Instruction 1332.28, Discharge Review Board (DRB) Procedures and Standards;
and E.O. 9397 (SSN), as amended.
PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): To apply for a change in the characterization or reason for military discharge issued to an individual. The appropriate Military
Service Discharge Review Board reviews submitted packages and makes determinations. Completed forms are covered by the correction of discharge
review board and official military records SORNs maintained by each of the Military Services. The DoD Systems of Records Notices can be located at
http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODComponentNotices.aspx.
ROUTINE USE(S): The DoD Blanket Routine Uses found at http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/BlanketRoutineUses.aspx may apply to this
collection.
DISCLOSURE: Voluntary. However, failure to provide identifying information may impede processing of this application. The SSN is used by the Military
Services to ensure the correct individual’s official military personnel file is updated.
Applicable SORNs:
Discharge Review Board Records:
Army (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODwideSORNArticleView/tabid/6797/Article/6000/a0015-185-sfmr.aspx)
Navy/Marine Corps (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODwideSORNArticleView/tabid/6797/Article/6510/nm01000-1.aspx)
Air Force (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/tabid/5915/Article/5899/f036-safcb-a.aspx)
Coast Guard (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-10-28/html/2011-27881.htm)
Official Military Personnel Files:
Army (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODwideSORNArticleView/tabid/6797/Article/6131/a0600-8-104-ahrc.aspx)
Navy (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODwideSORNArticleView/tabid/6797/Article/6405/n01070-3.aspx)
Marine Corps (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODComponentArticleView/tabid/7489/Article/6775/m01070-6.aspx)
Air Force (http://dpclo.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DODwideSORNArticleView/tabid/6797/Article/5876/f036-af-pc-c.aspx)
Coast Guard (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-10-28/html/2011-27881.htm)

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF DD FORM 293
REQUESTING COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL MILITARY PERSONNEL
FILE
Information on how to obtain military or health records is available at
the National Personnel Records Center website at
www.nara.gov/regional/mpr.html or at your local Veterans
Administration office.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit any request for their
military records prior to applying for a discharge review rather than after
submitting a DD Form 293 in order to avoid substantial delays in
processing of the application and scheduling of review. Applicants and
their counsel may also examine their military personnel records at the site
of their scheduled review prior to the review. The Board shall notify
applicants of the date of availability of the records for examination in their
standard scheduling information.
Submission of a request for an applicant's military records (including a
request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act) after
the DD Form 293 has been submitted will automatically result in the
suspension of processing of the application for discharge review until the
requested records are sent to an appropriate location for copying, are
copied, and are returned to the possession of the headquarters of the
Discharge Review Board. Processing of the application shall then be
resumed at whatever stage of the discharge review process is practicable.
DD FORM 293 - PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE INFORMATION. (Items on
the form are self-explanatory unless otherwise noted below.)
ITEM 1b. Use the name which you served under while in the Armed
Forces. If your name has since changed, then also include your current
name after adding the abbreviation "AKA". If the former member is
deceased or incompetent, see Item 11.
ITEM 1e. Indicate the address to be used for all future correspondence
regarding this application. If you change this address while this
application is pending, you must notify the Discharge Review Board
immediately. Failure to attend a hearing as a result of an unreported
change in address may result in a waiver of your right to a hearing.

DD FORM 293, 20140924 DRAFT

ITEM 2. If you received more than one discharge, the information in this
item should refer to the discharge that you want changed. Discharge
Review Boards cannot consider any type of discharge resulting from a
sentence given by a general court-martial.
ITEM 3. If the discharge you want reviewed was issued over 15 years
ago, instead of applying on a DD Form 293, you must petition the
appropriate Board for Correction of Military Record using DD Form 149,
Application for Correction of Military Record Under the Provisions of Title
10, U.S. Code, Section 1552.
ITEM 5. If you request a change of narrative reason for separation, you
must list the specific reason for discharge that you believe to be
appropriate, otherwise the Board will presume that you do not want a
change in reason for discharge. If you do not request a change of
discharge characterization in this item, the Board will presume you want to
change discharge to Honorable.
If you were separated on or after 1 October 1982 while in an entry
level status with an under other than honorable conditions discharge and
less than 180 days of active service, you can request a change of
discharge characterization to "Uncharacterized" and discharge reason to
"Entry Level Separation".
ITEM 6. "Issues" are the reasons why you think your discharge should be
changed. You are not required to submit any issues with your application.
However, if you want the Board to respond in writing to the issues of
concern, you must list your specific issues in accordance with those
instructions and regulations governing the Board. Issues must be stated
clearly and specifically. Your issues should address the reasons why you
believe that the discharge received was improper or inequitable. It is
important to focus on matters that occurred while you served in the Armed
Forces.
The following examples demonstrate one way in which issues may be
stated (the example issues do not indicate, in any way, the only type of
issues that should be submitted to the Board):
Example 1. My discharge was inequitable because it was based on
one isolated incident in 28 months of service with no other adverse action.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF DD FORM 293 (Continued)
ITEM 6. ISSUES (Continued)
Example 2. The discharge is improper because the applicant's preservice civilian conviction, properly listed on his enlistment documents,
was used in the discharge proceedings.
In Item 6 list each of your issues that you want the Board to address.
There is no limit to the number of issues that you may submit. If you
need additional space, continue in Item 14 or on a plain sheet of paper
and attach it to this application.
NOTE: If an issue is not listed in Item 6, it may result in the Board not
addressing the issue even if the issue is discussed in a legal brief or
other written submissions or at the hearing. Changes or additions to the
list may be made on the DD Form 293 anytime before the Discharge
Review Board closes the review process for deliberation. Please be sure
that your issues are consistent with the Board Action Requested (Item 5).
If there is a conflict between what you say in your issues and what you
requested in Item 5, the Board will respond to your issue in the context of
the action requested in Item 5. For example, if you request a General
Discharge in Item 5 but your issue in Item 6 indicated you want an
Honorable Discharge, the Board will respond to the issue in terms of your
request for a General Discharge. Therefore, if you are submitting issues
for the purpose of obtaining an Honorable Discharge, be sure to mark the
box for an Honorable Discharge in Item 5.
Incorporation by Reference. Issues that are listed on a legal brief or
other written submissions may be incorporated by reference in Item 6.
The reference must be specific enough for the Board to clearly identify
the matter being submitted as an issue. At a minimum, it shall identify
the page, paragraph, and sentence incorporated.

N E E D S

Example: Issue 1. Brief, page 2, paragraph 1, sentences one and two.
Applicants should be as specific as possible with all references so the
Board can clearly distinguish the scope of the issue. Because it is to
your benefit to bring such issues to the Board's attention as early as
possible in the review, if you submit a brief, you are strongly urged to set
forth all such issues as a separate item at the beginning of the brief.

ITEM 8. Evidence not in your official records should be submitted to the
Board before the review date. It is to your advantage to submit such
documentation with this application. This also applies to legal briefs or
counsel submissions. However, you have the right to submit evidence
until the time the Discharge Review Board closes the review process for
deliberation. Documents that are of the most benefit are those which
substantiate or relate directly to your issues in Item 6. Other documents
that may be helpful are character references, criminal, credit and
employment reports, educational achievements, exemplary post-service
conduct, and medical reports. You should add your name and Social
Security Number to each document submitted. The Board will consider all
documents submitted in your behalf, but will respond in writing only to
those issues set forth in Item 6.
ITEM 9. TYPE OF REVIEW REQUESTED
A Discharge Review is conducted in two basic ways: (1) Records
Review or (2) Hearing.
1. Records Review. You may have the Board conduct a discharge
review based solely on military records and any additional documentation
that you provide. This review is conducted without personal appearance
by you and/or your counsel appearing. A personal appearance hearing
can be requested, however, you forfeit your right to a record review.

DD FORM 293, 20140924 DRAFT

ITEM 9. TYPE OF REVIEW REQUESTED (Continued)
2. Hearing. You may appear personally (alone or assisted by a
representative/counsel) before the Board in the Washington, D.C. Metro
Area or before a Traveling Panel of the Board in selected locations
throughout the U.S., if appropriate. The Department of Defense is not
responsible for, nor will it pay for, any costs incurred by the applicant or
representative/counsel for appearance or providing testimony or
documentation. Detailed notification and/or scheduling information for
all personal appearances will be provided after the application has been
processed. In addition, without appearing yourself, you may have your
case presented by a representative/counsel of your choice. NOTE:
The Naval and Coast Guard Discharge Review Boards do not have
traveling panels.
Applicants participating in a personal appearance or hearing
examination may make sworn or unsworn statements, introduce
witnesses, documents, or other information on their behalf. Applicants
may make oral or written arguments personally and/or through
representative/ counsel. Applicants and witnesses who present sworn
or unsworn statements may be questioned by the Board.
FAILURE TO APPEAR AT A HEARING OR RESPOND TO A
SCHEDULING NOTICE. If you do not appear at a scheduled hearing or
respond as required to a scheduling notice, and you did not make a
prior, timely request for a continuance, postponement, or withdrawal of
the application, you will forfeit the right to a personal appearance and
the Board shall complete its review of the discharge based upon the
evidence of record.

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ITEM 10.a - d. Omit if you do not have a representative/counsel. If you
later obtain the services of either, inform the Board immediately.
The military services do not provide counsel representation or
evidence for you, nor do they pay the cost of such representation under
any circumstance. The following organizations regularly furnish
representation at no charge to you. Representatives may or may not be
lawyers.
1.
2.
3.
4.

American Legion
Disabled American Veterans
Veterans of Foreign Wars
State or Regional Veterans Offices

In addition, there are other organizations willing to assist you in
completing this application and to provide representation at no cost. It is
to your advantage to coordinate with your counsel prior to submitting
this application. This will insure that your counsel is able to appear at
the location you listed in Item 9. Please note that some of the
organizations listed above only represent applicants who appear before
the Board in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. Contact your local
veterans affairs office, Veterans Administration Office or veterans
service organization for further information.
ITEM 11. If the former member is deceased or incompetent, the
application may be submitted by the next of kin, a surviving spouse or a
legal representative. Legal proof of death or incompetency and
satisfactory evidence of the relationship to the former member must
accompany this application.
ITEM 12.a. and b. A signature and date entered by the applicant or
person identified in Item 11 are required.

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