What is the criteria for changing a dishonorable discharge to honorable discharge?

If a Dishonorable discharge (DD) was recieved, it is highly unlikely any change will be made. DD is the most punitive discharge characterization that can be awarded. The process is to apply for a change in characterization to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) for Navy and Marines, or the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) for Army.

If a former member recieved a General, Under Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Bad Conduct Discharge, the procedure is to apply for an upgrade of characterization to the Navy Discharge Review Board (NDRB) for Navy and Marines or the Discharge Review Board (DRB) for their respective service.

In either case, applicants must show through documentation, and clear issues and arguments their case warrants an upgrade due to an impropriety or inequity. There is no clear cut criteria for upgrading charcterization of service. Each case is considered on a case by case basis, and on it's own merits. However, there are several items that must be included in the application package if it is going to have a good chance of success. These include: clear, coherent issues of impropriety or inequity, documentation to support these issues, and documentation of post-service conduct which could show the applicant's misconduct was an isolated incident, and not indicative of his overall charcter.