effect of substituted discharge under effect of a change in COD the guidelines of and PL 95-126, cases exempt from PL 95-126. May 28, 2015 Change Date All copies of a a. Identifying a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Clemency granting clemency issued to military absentees under Active Duty, Discharge contain the following statement in the Presidential Proclamation no. 4313 Remarks member has agreed to serve months section: “Subject alternate service pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 4313.” The VA copy of the is not provided to the discharged DD Form 214 individual and the reason for separation is shown as for the good “Separation of the service by reason of a willful and persistent unauthorized absence, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 4313.” The service department also issued a special type of discharge, Clemency which was a substitute for the previously Discharge, DD Form 1953, awarded undesirable discharge. These clemency discharges were offered to certain individuals who Note: incurred other than honorable discharges for unauthorized absence, or failed to report for ordered military service between August 4, 1964, and March 28, 1973. A clemency discharge does not necessarily entitle or reinstate entitlement to b. Making a Clemency benefits administered by VA, and VA must make a decision on the COD. Discharge Determination Prior to making a determination on service that resulted in a clemency discharge furnish notification in accordance with M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 1.A.3. Use the table below for descriptions of elements that assist in identifying c. Elements That Assist in upgraded discharges. Identifying Upgraded Discharges Type of Upgrade Element Description All 9A on DD Form 214 Contains “Discharge.”
effect of substituted discharge under effect of a change in COD the guidelines of PL 95-126, and cases exempt from PL 95-126. Change Date May 28, 2015 a. Identifying a Clemency Discharge All copies of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, granting clemency issued to military absentees under Presidential Proclamation no. 4313 contain the following statement in the Remarks section: “Subject member has agreed to serve months alternate service pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 4313.” The VA copy of the DD Form 214 is not provided to the discharged individual and the reason for separation is shown as “Separation for the good of the service by reason of a willful and persistent unauthorized absence, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 4313.” The service department also issued a special type of discharge, Clemency Discharge, DD Form 1953, which was a substitute for the previously awarded undesirable discharge. Note: These clemency discharges were offered to certain individuals who incurred other than honorable discharges for unauthorized absence, or failed to report for ordered military service between August 4, 1964, and March 28, 1973. b. Making a Clemency Discharge Determination A clemency discharge does not necessarily entitle or reinstate entitlement to benefits administered by VA, and VA must make a decision on the COD. Prior to making a determination on service that resulted in a clemency discharge furnish notification in accordance with M21-1, Part III, Subpart v, 1.A.3. c. Elements That Assist in Identifying Upgraded Discharges Use the table below for descriptions of elements that assist in identifying upgraded discharges. Type of Upgrade Element Description All 9A on DD Form 214 Contains “Discharge.”