Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR)

The Board for Correction of Military Records is a civilian board within each military branch that reviews and corrects errors or injustices in military records. It is the highest level of administrative review available — its decisions are final within the executive branch.

Each branch has its own board:

• ABCMR — Army Board for Correction of Military Records
• BCNR — Board for Correction of Naval Records (Navy and Marine Corps)
• AFBCMR — Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records
• CGBCMR — Coast Guard Board for Correction of Military Records (under DHS)

The BCMR has broad authority to correct virtually any military record. Common requests include:

• Discharge characterization upgrades — changing a General, Other Than Honorable, or Bad Conduct discharge to Honorable
• Missing awards and decorations — adding medals, ribbons, or badges that were earned but not recorded
• Rank corrections — restoring rank that was incorrectly reduced or not properly recorded
• Narrative reason for separation — changing the stated reason for your discharge
• Reenlistment codes (RE codes) — correcting codes that prevent you from rejoining the military
• Medical retirement vs. separation — correcting records when you should have been medically retired rather than separated
• Records of proceedings — correcting errors in courts-martial, Article 15s, or evaluation reports

All BCMR applications use the same form:

DD Form 149 — Application for Correction of Military Record

Required Evidence

Your application is only as strong as the evidence you submit. Include as much of the following as possible:

• Personal statement: A detailed written explanation of the error or injustice and why it should be corrected. This is your most important piece of evidence.
• Service records: DD-214, performance evaluations, service record book, orders, or any documents supporting your case
• Buddy statements: Sworn statements from fellow service members who can corroborate your account
• Medical records: Military and VA medical records, especially for PTSD, TBI, or other conditions that may have contributed to the circumstances of your discharge
• Legal briefs: If you have legal representation, a formal legal argument supporting your case

Applications must be filed within 3 years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the error or injustice.

However, boards can — and frequently do — waive the time limit "in the interest of justice." If you are outside the 3-year window, include a clear explanation of why you are filing late and why it would be unjust not to consider your case. Many successful applications are filed years or even decades after the error occurred.

1. Submit your application: Complete DD Form 149 with all supporting evidence and submit it to your branch's board.
2. Board review: A panel of civilian employees reviews your application and all submitted evidence. Most cases are decided on the written record without a hearing, though you can request one. Processing typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on the branch and case complexity.
3. Board recommendation: The panel issues a recommendation — either to grant, partially grant, or deny your requested correction.
4. Service Secretary decision: The board's recommendation goes to the Secretary of the respective branch (or their designee) for a final decision. In practice, the Secretary almost always follows the board's recommendation.

Both boards can change your discharge, but they are different bodies with different authority:

If you only need a discharge upgrade and you are within 15 years of discharge, the DRB is faster and allows a personal hearing. If you need broader record corrections, have a court-martial discharge, or are outside the DRB's time limit, the BCMR is your path.

• The process is slow. Plan for 6–18 months or longer. Do not wait until you urgently need the correction to apply.
• Get legal help if possible. Many veteran legal organizations and law school clinics provide free representation for BCMR cases. Having an attorney significantly improves your chances.
• Be thorough in your personal statement. Explain what happened, why it was an error or injustice, and exactly what relief you are requesting. The board may not give you a second chance to explain.
• Include ALL evidence up front. While you can submit additional evidence later, it may delay your case. Put your best case forward in the initial application.
• Liberal consideration policies: Recent DoD guidance (the Hagel memo, Kurta memo, and Wilkie memo) directs boards to give liberal consideration to PTSD, TBI, MST, and other mental health conditions when reviewing discharge upgrade requests.

• DD Form 149 — Application for Correction of Military Record
• Army BCMR (ABCMR)
• Navy/Marines BCNR
• Air Force BCMR (AFBCMR)
• Coast Guard BCMR (CGBCMR)