The Army Board for Correction of Military Records
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can my Reentry Eligibility (RE) code be changed?
Answer: The RE code (Reentry Eligibility code) is determined by the reason for separation, not the character of separation (Honorable, General, or Under Other than Honorable).
The RE code is not changed or upgraded solely to allow enlistment (reentry into the service). Soldiers separated with an RE-3 or RE-4 code must seek a waiver from a recruiter to enlist. Depending on the type of discharge and disqualification, a waiver may not be possible.
According to Army Regulation 601-210 (Regular Army and Army Reserve Enlistment Program), the Reentry Eligibility (RE) code can only be changed if an incorrect code was entered for the reason of separation. For this type of correction, please send a letter and a copy of your DD Form 214 to the following address requesting the correction:
CommanderIf the Human Resources Command denies your request and you can provide evidence that the RE code is erroneous or unjust, you may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records for a correction of the RE code.
US Army Human Resources Command
Attention: Retention Branch (AHRC-EPF)
1600 Spearhead Division Drive, Dept 365
Fort Knox, KY 40121
If you were discharged within the last 15 years and can provide evidence that your reason for discharge is erroneous or unjust, you can apply to the Army Discharge Review Board requesting that your reason for separation be changed to the correct reason with corresponding RE code.
To apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records or the Army Discharge Review Board, you may complete an online application at http://actsonline.army.mil and send the signature page and evidence as instructed by the online program – or – you may print a blank DD Form from the Army Review Boards Agency website at http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/ fill in the requested information, and mail it to the address shown on the reverse of the form. Please provide copies of all relevant military records in your possession and any evidence to support your request.
Question: I have a mandatory separation date approaching. Can the ABCMR suspend this action while my application is under review?
Answer: No, other personnel actions are not delayed or suspended when an application is submitted to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records for consideration. If the Board approves a correction that will affect a decision that was made during that period, the Board upon your request will also review the subsequent personnel action. However, it is your responsibility to ensure the ABCMR is aware of a pending retirement or separation date.
Question: Can I change my name, gender, or social security number on my military records after I am discharged?
Answer: If you have a name, gender, or social security number (SSN) change after discharge from the military, even if it is court ordered, the name and gender on the military records will not be changed since they are contained in historical documents which record facts during the time you served in the military. If you need a certificate to show current name or gender and that you served in the military under another name or gender, you can request such from the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.
Question: Who may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR)?
Answer: Current and former members of the United States Army (including Army Reserve and Army National Guard) may apply for a correction of error or injustice in their official Army records. If the current or former service member is deceased or incompetent, the service member's spouse, widow or widower, next of kin (mother, father, brother, sister, or children), legally designated representative, or other specified individual, can apply for the service member. An applicant must provide legal proof of the death or incompetence of the service member and proof of legal relationship to the service member. Former spouses of service member's may apply on issues relating to Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) benefits. Department of the Army civilian employees can apply in cases asserting an error or injustice in financial liability investigations of property loss (formerly known as reports of survey) or criminal titling, but not for civilian personnel or pay issues. Additionally, a proper party can authorize another to file on his or her behalf using the services of an attorney-at-law or a non-lawyer authorized to file in his or her behalf by a power of attorney (attorney-in-fact).
Question: How can I apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records?
Answer: On the Correction of Military Records page on this website, click on the Application Procedures heading where you may complete an online application and mail the signature page and evidence as instructed by the online program - or - you may print a blank DD Form 149, fill in the information, and mail it to the address shown on the reverse side of the form. The DD Form 149 on the Application Procedures page is in a .pdf fillable format. An application form can also be obtained from any military personnel office or by mailing a request for a form to: Army Review Boards Agency, Attn: Congressional and Special Actions Office, 1901 South Bell Street, Crystal Mall 4, Arlington, Virginia 22202-4508.
Question: What do I need to send with my application?
Answer: To support your application, please provide copies of all relevant military records in your possession and any evidence to support your request. Do not send originals. As part of your evidence, you need to provide copies of any correspondence you have had with other agencies to resolve your issue. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records will only address issues after all administrative recourse/appeals available to the applicant as outlined in Army Regulations have been exhausted.
Question: Is it necessary to submit a request for correction of records (DD Form 149) through an intermediate level review before submitting an application to the ABCMR?
Answer: Applications for Correction of Military Records, DD Form 149, are submitted directly to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR). However, all administrative remedies available at lower levels of the Army as outlined in Army Regulations must first be exhausted before an application will be considered by the ABCMR. Examples of exhausting administrative remedies are appealing evaluation reports, appealing unfavorable information in the personnel records, or requesting discharge review in accordance with applicable regulations. Applicants should provide with their DD Form 149 a copy of decisions from such administrative applications.
Question: How long should it take to process my application?
Answer: The Board reviews applications in the order in which they are received out of fairness to all. Due to the large number of applications already on hand and the complexity of many of the cases, it may be as long as 12 months from the date we receive your application before you receive notification of the decision on your request. Be assured that the Board will consider your application as soon as possible and will notify you by mail as soon as a decision is made.
Question: If the ABCMR receives an advisory opinion on my application from another agency, will I receive a copy of that opinion and will I have an opportunity to present any rebuttal to those opinions before they go to the Board for its consideration?
Answer: Yes, any advisory opinion received concerning your case will be referred to you for your review and comment prior to the Board considering your case. You will normally have 30 days from the date of the referral to provide any rebuttal or comments on the opinion to the Board. If an extension is required, you must request it in writing within 30 days of the referral date.
Question: Who will know about my case?
Answer: Submission of an application is a private matter between the applicant and the Board/Board staff. Only the applicant and those that the applicant authorizes in writing, such as counsel, will know about the case. However, some application information may be shared if the Board or Board staff requests an advisory opinion from other agencies that may possess relevant information or if any official agency that has a need to know requests information on individual cases. Under all circumstances, further release of information will be governed by the Privacy Act to protect the applicant's information.
Question: Who receives copies of the decisional documents?
Answer: Copies of the Board decision document and the Record of Proceedings are furnished to the applicant or the applicant's counsel. If a correction to military records is approved, the decision from the Board will be furnished to the appropriate agency to make the necessary corrections. A copy of the decision is placed in the restricted section of the applicant's official military personnel record.
Question: How long will it take to get paid if the Board grants a correction that affects my pay?
Answer: When the ABCMR determines that a correction is justified, it directs that the responsible agency make the necessary changes to the Army record. Once those changes have been made, that agency will notify the Defense Finance and Accounting System (DFAS) to make the necessary pay adjustments, if any. The ABCMR also notifies DFAS of the pending change so it can suspense any necessary pay adjustments. These actions normally take 3-4 months to complete after the Board's decision is published, depending on the number of agencies that must make corrections and the work load of the affected agencies and DFAS.
Question: Can I receive compensation (damages) from the ABCMR based on a substantiated injustice I suffered?
Answer: No, claims against the Government for damages or compensation must be presented to the Army Claims Service or appropriate Federal court.
