As a military personnel, you can request an administrative separation board (ASB) hearing when you are about to be involuntarily separated from the military. You are eligible for a hearing if you have served six or more years or your command is recommending an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge, regardless of years of service. Therefore, if your command is recommending a general discharge and you have served for less than six years, you might not have the right to a hearing.
One of the mistakes service members make when they have an ASB hearing is not preparing, which usually reduces their chances of success. Here are two tips to help you prepare:
Review your notice
You will receive a notice from your command detailing the proposed separation and the reasons for it. Carefully review the notice to understand it in depth.
Gather adequate evidence
Gather evidence related to the reasons behind the proposed separation. If the reason is poor performance, gather your performance reports. For instance:
- Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Reports (NCOERs) and Officer Evaluation Reports (OERs), if you are in the Army
- Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs) and Officer Performance Reports (OPRs), if you are in the US Air Force
- Fitreps, if you are in the Navy or Marine Corps
If you are accused of misconduct, such as drug/alcohol abuse or insubordination, witness testimony, reports from investigations into the alleged misconduct, police reports and lab test results can serve as solid evidence in your case.
Further, you can present a personal statement, character statements and copies of awards to the board. Letters from people who know you at home, emails and social media posts can also show you are a person with good conduct.
You have the right to seek legal guidance when you request an ASB hearing. This ensures you avoid costly mistakes, protecting your career and eligibility for benefits.