Enlisted Separations
Enlisted administrative separations may be favorable, such as retirement or honorable separation at the end of an enlistment, or unfavorable, such as separations based on misconduct or unsatisfactory performance; and either voluntary (initiated by the service member) or involuntary (initiated by commander).
Upon separation, a service member receives one of the following discharge characterizations:
Entry-Level Separation
Honorable
Under Honorable Conditions (General)
Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (UOTHC)
Order of Release from the Custody and Control of the Service
Dishonorable or bad conduct discharges are punitive and may only result from an approved court-martial sentence.
Commanders should counsel and attempt to rehabilitate service members to improve their chances for retention. Counseling is required for:
Entry level performance and conduct
Unsatisfactory performance
Minor disciplinary infractions
Pattern of misconduct
Failure to meet fitness standards
A service member is entitled to a discharge board if the member either has six or more years of service, or if command is seeking an "Under Other Than Honorable Conditions" discharge characterization.
learn more about administrative actions
Suspension of favorable personnel actions is mandatory if an investigation that may result in disciplinary action or financial loss is initiated on a Soldier by military or civilian authorities, or if a Soldier is arrested.
When commanders learn of derogatory information that involves a military member or civilian employee with access to classified information, the commander must report the information to the security manager and decide whether to suspend the member or employee's access.
Officers may be separated for substandard duty performance, misconduct, or other adverse information in their record.
Enlisted administrative separations may be favorable (e.g. retirement or honorable separation at the end of an enlistment) or unfavorable (e.g. separations based on misconduct or unsatisfactory performance), and either voluntary (initiated by servicemember) or involuntary (initiated by commander).
The selective reenlistment program (SRP) is designed to ensure only enlisted members who consistently demonstrate the capability and willingness to maintain high professional standards are offered the privilege of continued military service.
Commanders and supervisors are encouraged to use administrative tools to encourage and correct individual behavior. Such tools include counseling, admonition and reprimand.
The intent is to correct rather than punish behavior.
Commanders are tasked with maintaining good order and discipline within their units.
In the military justice system, commanders have a quasi-judicial role in that they make decisions that are made by prosecutors or judges in the civilian sector.
Nonjudicial punishment (NJP) provides commanders with a means of maintaining good order and discipline without resorting to criminal prosecution.
