The DD Form 293 is the official application veterans use to request a review of their military discharge. The Discharge Review Board (DRB) for each branch of service receives and processes these requests. The board can change the discharge characterization, the narrative reason for discharge, or both.
A discharge characterization describes the nature of a veteran's service at separation. Common characterizations include honorable, general under honorable conditions, and other than honorable. The characterization directly affects access to VA healthcare, education assistance, and home loan benefits. Veterans with a less-than-honorable discharge often lose eligibility for many federal programs. Filing an application for review is the first formal step toward restoring that access.
Any veteran who received a discharge other than honorable may submit this application. The board accepts requests without age restrictions. Most branches consider applications filed within 15 years of the discharge date, though special circumstances may allow later submissions.
The next of kin may apply on behalf of a deceased veteran. Attorneys and legal representatives may also file with proper documentation of their authority. The form includes specific signature sections for spouses, widows, widowers, and legally appointed representatives.
Veterans citing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), or issues related to sexual orientation or gender identity receive specific consideration. Department of Defense Instruction 1332.28 requires the DRB to evaluate these cases under current compassionate standards. Applicants must indicate the applicable special issue in Section II.
Applicants must provide a clear basis for the requested change. Common grounds include material error, injustice, or inequity in the original discharge decision. The review board applies standards in effect at the time of review, not at the time of discharge.
Strong applications include personal statements, service records, and medical documentation. Character reference letters from former supervisors, healthcare providers, or community leaders carry significant weight. Evidence of rehabilitation, continued education, or community contributions since discharge is also relevant.
In some cases, the DRB may offer a personal appearance hearing. During a hearing, the veteran or representative presents testimony directly to board members. The DRB may take several months to schedule and conduct a hearing.
Review timelines vary by branch. Most applications are processed within 12 to 18 months. Keep copies of everything submitted, including the completed form and all supporting documents.
The board may approve the full request, grant a partial change, or deny the application. Denied applicants may appeal to the Board for Correction of Military Records by completing DD Form 149. That board has broader authority and can address military record issues beyond discharge status.
Veterans who need certified copies of their original service records can request them using a discharge application. Complete service documentation supports both the review process and any future benefit claims.
The form spans four pages and five sections. Section I collects personal information, branch of service, and education level. Section II identifies the specific changes requested and the legal grounds for the review.
Section III designates any legal representative or counsel. Section IV lists the supporting evidence submitted with the application. Section V contains the signature block and a certification statement from the applicant or authorized representative.
The completed application is mailed to the Discharge Review Board for the relevant service branch. Each branch has a separate DRB mailing address, printed in the form instructions. Some branches also accept submissions through official DoD electronic channels.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Dd Form 293 |
| Form Length | 4 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 1 min |
| Other names | form 293, 293, dd form 293 2021, application discharge military |