### Question
How is the "petitioner" defined?


### Answer
The term **petitioner** is defined in *10 U.S.C. § 1553a* as follows -

> a member or former member of the armed forces (or if the member or former member is dead, the surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative of the member or former member) whose request for an upgrade to the characterization of a discharge or dismissal was not granted under sections 1552 and 1553 of this title

#### Citation:
  - *10 U.S.C. § 1553a*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-General Military Law > PART II-PERSONNEL > CHAPTER 79-CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS**

