Introduction
Administrative separation is a process by which a military service member leaves
active duty before the end of his or her enlistment. It is a common fallacy that
administrative separation always means a bad discharge. A dishonorable or bad conduct
discharge (BCD) may only be imposed through the action of a court martial. The other than
honorable (OTH) discharge can only be imposed through the action of an administrative
board. If a service member is granted an administrative separation by any means other than
those stated above, such as for a physical or mental condition, then the discharge will be
characterized as "general, under honorable conditions". Often the biggest price
a service member pays for accepting such an administrative separation is the loss of their
VA benefits, including tuition assistance. He or she must also explain to future potential
employers why their service was cut short.
MILPERSMAN Chapter 36
Administrative separation requires a basis or reason for separation. Charter 36 of
MILPERSMAN lists numerous grounds for administrative separation, including hardship,
parenthood, pregnancy/childbirth, conscientious objection, being a sole surviving family
member, somnambulism, enuresis, motion/air sickness, allergies, excessive height, and
personality disorders. Psychiatrists and psychologists make recommendations for
administrative separation when a personality disorder is diagnosed and when substantial
evidence exists of a disorder of personality that either makes the service member
dangerous to themself or others, or makes it exceedingly unlikely that he or she will
successfully adapt to military service. The diagnosis of a personality disorder does not,
in itself, require a recommendation for administrative separation, however. In fact, many
individuals with personality disorders function very well in highly structured military
environments.
Types of Administrative Separation
Related to Psychiatric Diagnosis
In the Navy, recommendations for administrative separation on the basis of a
personality disorder come in two types: routine and expeditious. A routine recommendation
concludes that the personality disorder is of such severity as to render the member
incapable of serving adequately in the Naval Service. Routine administrative separation
for personality disorder requires counseling, documented by page 13 entries in the
member's service record, followed by a reasonable period of time to respond to counseling.
Only when a service member so counseled fails to correct his or her behavioral problems
can the request for administrative separation be submitted for approval. It is easy to see
that a routine recommendation takes considerable command motivation and effort, and
usually several months to implement.
What is an Expeditious Recommendation?
An expeditious recommendation includes a clause, in addition to the words of the
routine recommendation that states that the member is a continuing danger to himself or
others. This clause creates an exception to the policy of administrative counseling and
documentation. No counseling is required, and the discharge request receives expeditious
consideration such that, in some cases, the service member may be discharged within 5
working days. Commands sometimes request that a psychiatrist or psychologist make an
expeditious recommendation, if one is possible. Referred service members, themselves, also
sometimes request this type of recommendation once they learn of its existence. However,
Navy mental health professionals must only make recommendations for expeditious
administrative separation when the patients history gives a strong indication of
ongoing dangerousness, usually because of a pattern of prior self-destructive or seriously
assaultive behaviors.
Guidance with the Marine Corps
Marine Corps regulations are slightly different with regard to administrative
separation on the basis of a personality disorder. The Marine Corps calls its
administrative counseling and documentation "nonmedical evidence". Nonmedical
evidence is required in all cases to process a Marine for a personality disorder
discharge; there is no expeditious exception to policy. Due to this policy, it is usually
more difficult for a Marine to be processed for separation on the basis of a personality
disorder.
Rules for Court Martial (R.C.M. )
706
A recommendation for administrative separation is sometimes accompanied by a
statement that the member does not possess a severe mental disease or defect for purposes
of R.C.M. 706 examinations and that the member is considered legally competent. R.C.M. 706
refers to the insanity defense used at courts-martial. This statement signals the command
that they may proceed with any legal charges that are pending.
Summary
Remember that although unsuitable, members with personality disorders are deemed fit
for full duty and, therefore, physically qualified for separation, unless some other
disabling physical or mental condition exists.
References
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NAVMILPERSMAN articles 3620200, 3620225
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Marine Corps Separations Manual, chapter 6.
Revised by CAPT William P. Nash, Psychiatry Specialty Leader , Naval Medical
Center San Diego, San Diego, CA (1999).