If a commander wants to administrative separation (adsep or “Chapter”) a military member, the member will be given written notice stating why the commander intends to separate the member (called the basis for separation) and the least favorable type of discharge authorized.  The paperwork also outlnes the member’s rights with respect to the proposed separation, including whether the member has the right to elect an administrative separation board.  It is always advisable to consult with an experienced military law attorney before completing this paperwork to make sure that rights are understood and properly elected.

A service member may have the right to request an administrative separation board, which is a hearing to fight the separation or characterization. Whether a member has this right depends on how long a service member has served in the military and whether he or she is are being processed for an OTH discharge. Generally, an enlisted member with six or more years of service is entitled to a board, and some offenses always entitle the member to a board regardless of years of service.  If a service member is not entitled to an administrative separation board, he or she still the right to request review of the decision to process him for separation by a higher authority and to submit a written appeal to the proposed separation.

If the member is entitled to an administrative separation board and chooses to proceed with the board, the board (composed of three members) will generally have to answer three questions. They are:

• Whether or not the member committed misconduct as alleged by the command;
• If so, whether the member should be retained in the military or administratively separated; and,
• If the member is to be separated, what characterization of discharge should be granted.

There are four ways an administrative separation may be characterized: Honorable, General (Under honorable conditions), Other than Honorable (OTH), and entry level separation (ELS). An OTH is the worst characterization of discharge authorized by most ADSEP boards and will deprive the member from receiving any VA benefits based on that period of service.

Each armed force has different regulations governing the rules for separation. The Navy is regulated by the MILPERSMAN section 1910 for enlisted personnel. The Army follows AR 635-200. The Marine Corps uses MCO 1900.16. The Air Force follows AFI 36-3208. The Coast Guard follows COMDTINST M1910.2.

Different rules and regulations apply to officer separations.

Common reasons for administrative separation include:

• Commission of a serious offense
• Civilian conviction
• Loss of a security clearance
• Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA or PFT) failure
• Drug abuse / positive urinalysis / drug paraphernalia possession
• Family Advocacy Program failure
• Alcohol rehabilitation treatment failure
• Pattern of misconduct
• Best interests of the service
• Sexual harassment