Administrative Separation Boards: What They Are & Who Qualifies

Not every case in the military justice system ends in a courtroom. Some end with paperwork. And that paperwork can change your life.

I’m talking about administrative separation boards. If you’re a service member accused of misconduct that doesn’t rise to the level of a court-martial, there’s a good chance you’ll hear those three words. ADSEP board.

Most service members I talk to don’t know what that means. Some think it’s just a formality. Others think it’s already too late to do anything. And too many sign away their rights before understanding what’s at stake.

So let’s clear the fog.

What an Administrative Separation Board Really Is

Administrative separation boards exist for one reason. When a command wants to separate a service member from the military for lower-level misconduct, the board is the process used to make that happen.

This isn’t a court-martial. You’re not being prosecuted. But you are at risk of being kicked out of the military, possibly with a discharge that can impact your future, your benefits, and your reputation.

The board gives you a fighting chance. It’s due process. You get a panel. You get to present your case. And you get to push back on how your career ends.

At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

When They’re Used

Administrative separation boards are used in two situations. First, when the misconduct doesn’t rise to the level of a court-martial. Second, when your command wants to move fast, quietly, and without the burden of a full prosecution.

This could be a pattern of minor misconduct. Maybe you were late too often. Maybe you disrespected an NCO. Maybe you popped hot on a urinalysis for something like THC.

These aren’t career-ending crimes in civilian life, but in the military? They can be.

When the command wants you out, and they don’t want to go through a court-martial, this is the route they take. And if you qualify, this is where the board comes in.

Who Actually Gets a Board?

Not everyone. And this is where people get blindsided.

There are two ways you qualify for an administrative separation board:

1. You’ve served six or more years on active duty.
2. The command is recommending you receive an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge.

If either of those applies, you rate a board. Period.

But here’s the catch. Some commands know this. And they’ll structure the discharge recommendation to avoid triggering your board rights. For example, they might recommend a general under honorable conditions discharge instead of an OTH just to keep things quiet and fast.

And just like that, they’ve bypassed your ability to defend yourself.

The Different Types of Discharges

This is where the confusion gets dangerous. A lot of people think it’s either honorable or dishonorable. That’s not true.

On the administrative side, there are three options:

1. Honorable Discharge – Full benefits, clean record.
2. General (Under Honorable Conditions) – Sounds okay, but you lose key benefits like the GI Bill.
3. Other Than Honorable (OTH) – The most severe administrative discharge. You may lose access to VA healthcare, disability, and other benefits.

Then there are punitive discharges, which only happen through a court-martial:

– Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)

– Dishonorable Discharge

An OTH isn’t a conviction, but it can follow you just as long. Employers see it. The VA sees it. Your family feels it. The impact is real.

Why This Matters So Much

Let me tell you what I see in the real world.

Commands “fast track” separations all the time. A young service member is called in, handed a stack of paperwork, and told, “Just sign this and you’ll be out in a few weeks.”

No one explains the board. No one explains the consequences. And suddenly, that service member is out of uniform and out of benefits.

I’ve had clients who thought they were doing the right thing by waiving their board, only to find out later they could’ve fought and possibly stayed in.

The worst part? The military counts on that. They count on confusion. They count on silence. And they count on you not knowing what you’re entitled to.

The Marine Corps Approach

Let’s call it out. The Marine Corps handles things differently.

In the Army or Navy, the command might recommend a general discharge just to keep things tidy. In the Marines, there’s not a lot of middle ground.

The Corps often goes straight to an OTH recommendation. That might sound harsh, and it is, but it also triggers your right to a board.

And that gives you a shot to fight.

So if you’re a Marine reading this and think you’re being railroaded? Take a hard look at that paperwork. You may rate a board even if you’re under six years of service.

If You’re Entitled to a Board, Don’t Waive It

Let me be clear. If you qualify for a board, you should almost never waive it.

This is your only chance to tell your side of the story. To bring in witnesses. To challenge the narrative. To show your service record. To fight for your benefits.

Once you waive that board, it’s over. There’s no appeal. No reset button.

The system moves on without you.

And I promise you, the government won’t lose sleep over it.

What You Should Do If You’re Facing Separation

Here’s my advice, plain and simple:

1. Take the paperwork seriously. Don’t rush through it.
2. Check your eligibility. Six years of service or an OTH recommendation means you may rate a board.
3. Don’t go it alone. Whether it’s a JAG or a civilian defense attorney, get help.
4. Don’t let fear or pressure make the decision for you. You’ve got rights. Use them.
5. Fight for your future. This isn’t just about the uniform. It’s about what comes after.

Final Thoughts

Administrative separation boards are rarely talked about, but they shape lives every day. They’re supposed to give you a voice in a process that decides your future.

But if you don’t know your rights? That voice is gone before it ever had a chance to be heard.

I’ve been in the room when careers were saved. And I’ve seen the regret on faces of those who signed their rights away too fast.

You don’t have to be one of them.

If you’re facing separation and don’t know what to do next, start by asking one question:

Do I rate a board?

If the answer is yes, you already know what I’m going to say:

Fight it.