The Army Board for Correction of Military Records
INFORMATION ON 1917 HOUSTON RIOT CASES (CLICK HERE)
Information on Discharge Upgrades and PTSD or Sexual Assault.
DD214 NAME CHANGE LINK
Mission Statement
The Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) is the highest level of administrative review within the Department of the Army with the mission to correct errors in or remove injustices from Army military records.
Overview
When applications are received requesting that an error be corrected or an injustice be removed from the record, multiple actions are taken.
The Soldier's or Veteran's records are obtained. If no records are available, it may not be possible to process the application further. In 1973, there was a fire in the National Archives' National Personnel Records Center that destroyed many Veterans' records from World War II. Other government agencies may also have records checked out if the applicant has multiple actions in progress. For this reason, applicants should provide with their application copies of as many military record documents that they have that are relevant to the application issue.
When necessary, advisory opinions are obtained from other Army staff elements. If an advisory opinion is obtained, it will be referred to the applicant for comment before the application is further considered.
In some cases, administrative corrections can be made based on the records and advisory opinions without the need for a Board decision.
If the application cannot be resolve administratively, the Board staff will prepare a brief for the Board's consideration. The Board will render a decision which is final and binding on all Army officials and government organizations. When directed, corrections will be made to the record and related corrective actions will be taken by the responsible Army or government organization. Applicants may request reconsideration of a Board decision within one year of a decision if they can provide new relevant evidence that was not considered by the Board.
Application Procedures (click to learn about application procedure)
You may engage private counsel at your own expense or you may contact one of the Veterans organizations who provide free counsel or a representative to assist in case preparation.
Publications
-
- DODD 1332.41 - Boards for Correction of Military Records (BCMRs) and Discharge Review Boards (DRBs)
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/133241p.pdf - Army Regulation 15-185 - Army Board for Correction of Military Records
Army Regulation 15-185.pdf - Secretary of Defense Memorandum, 3 September 2014, subject: Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Hagel20140903DischargeUpgPTSD.pdf - Under Secretary of Defense Memorandum, 24 February 2016, subject: Consideration of Discharge Upgrade Requests Pursuant to Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCMRs/BCNR) by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Carson20160224DischargeUpgPTSDTBI.pdf - Under Secretary of Defense Memorandum, 25 August 2017, subject: Clarifying Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Requests by Veterans for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental Health Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment.
Kurta20170825DischargeModBH-SAH.pdf - Under Secretary of Defense Memorandum, 25 July 2018, subject: Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/ Naval Records Regarding Equity. Injustice, or Clemency Determinations.
Wilke20180725JusticeEquityClemency.pdf
- DODD 1332.41 - Boards for Correction of Military Records (BCMRs) and Discharge Review Boards (DRBs)