Guidelines for the processing of Discharges and Retirements

This is the Document Release Information
Article Number:	7CAV-R-006
Scope:	Guidelines for the processing of Discharges and Retirements
Version:	Version 1.2
Effective Date:	19JAN17
Last Modified Date:	4JUN21
Approving Authority:	Regimental Commanding Officer
Point of Contact:	Regimental Chief of Staff

THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE EDITED WITHOUT GENERAL STAFF APPROVAL

Section 1 - Overview

Section 1.1 - Purpose

This regulation prescribes the guidelines and processes for discharging troopers from the 7th Cavalry Regiment(7CAV). It provides principles support, standards of service, policies, tasks, rules, steps and classifications governing all work required in the field to support the process of discharging a trooper from the Regiment

Section 1.2 - Responsibilities

The Regimental Command Staff (Regimental Commander and Executive Officer) will serve as the senior official on matters concerning discharges and retirements, and will provide supervision of discharge policy formulation, procedures, goals, system and standards.

The Regimental Chief of Staff (COS) will be responsible for the implementation of this regulation within the Regiment. Furthermore, COS will supervise discharge and retirement functions prescribed in this regulation and serve as the final promotion authority for all combat units and departments.

Section 2 Principles and Standards

Section 2.1 - Principles of Support

The 7CAV Command Staff will provide a centralized process for discharge or retirement of all members of the 7th Cavalry Regiment.

This regulations will define:

1. The procedures involved with the discharge of a trooper from the Regiment.
2. The definitions and different level of discharge.
3. The standards for Retirement

Section 2.2 - Standards of Service

The Standards of Service are as follows:

1. Company Commanders (or their designate) are responsible for initiating the discharge process and removal from the Regiment
2. The Personnel Department (S1 Department) is responsible for the final processing and documentation of all discharges and retirements, as well as determining time in service (TIS) /time in grade (TIG)
3. The Chief of Staff will be responsible for the final categorization of discharges and retirements.

Section 3 - Policy

Section 3.1 - The Discharge Process

Section 3.1.1 - Commencing the Discharge

The discharge process begins once a trooper has completed a Personnel Action Form (PAF) for discharge. If a trooper is requesting Retirement they should state such on the PAF. PAFs that do not note a request for Retirement will be processed as a discharge with no special privileges.

Section 3.1.2 - Processing a Discharge

Once the PAF is filed, the Company Commander (or his designate) will be responsible for the classification and initial processing of the discharge/retirement.

1. If the trooper is requesting retirement the PAF will be referred to the Chief of Staff for approval.
2. There is question in regards to the classification of a discharge, the PAF will be referred to the Chief of Staff for classification.

Section 3.1.3 - Post Discharge Activities

After the discharge or retirement has been classified, the S1 Department will document the discharge/retirement in MILPACS appropriately.

Any discharge cannot be finalized and posted until 24 hours have elapsed from the initial PAF submission. This is a mandatory time requirement without exception. Once finalized, cancellations are not allowed and the trooper has to re-enlist.

Section 3.2 - Commanders Responsibilities

Section 3.2.1 - Classification of Discharge

The Company Commander (or his designate) will review the service record of the trooper being discharged to determine the classification of discharge/retirement. Standards for classification are established later in this document.

Section 3.2.2 - Chief of Staff Role

The Chief of Staff will make the final determination when the classification of a discharge or retirement in dispute.

Section 4 - Discharge Classifications

Section 4.1 - Entry-Level Separation

Section 4.1.1 - Entry Level Separations

Entry-level separations are for enlistees who do not complete the boot camp process. Troopers re-enlisting after an Entry-Level Separation are brought back at the rank of Recruit and must re-complete the boot camp process completely.

Section 4.2 - AWOL Discharge

Section 4.2.1 - Intro to AWOL Discharges

AWOL discharges apply to people who are Absent Without Leave and troopers who re-enlist are reduced two ranks/grades upon re-enlistment.

Section 4.3 - Honorable Discharge

Section 4.3.1 - Honorable Discharge Criteria

In order for a trooper to qualify for an Honorable Discharge they must meet the following criteria.

• Minimum rank of Private at time of discharge.
• No pending or active negative counseling actions at the time of discharge. A negative counseling action is any measure resultant of a Letter of Reprimand, Commander's Hearing, or UCMJ Action.

Section 4.4 - Less than Honorable Discharge

Section 4.4.1 - Conditions for Less than Honorable Discharge

The following conditions apply:

• Any trooper that discharges while an Letter of Reprimand, Commander's Hearing, or UCMJ is either pending or while they are in a period of NFA due to Counseling Action/UCMJ will receive this discharge.
• Members who receive this discharge classification are not eligible to return for at least six (6) months from the date of their discharge.

Section 4.4.2 - Conditions for Ineligibility for Reenlistment

The following conditions apply:

• Any trooper that is discharged by the General Staff as a result of disciplinary action or who has been deemed unsuitable for the unit.
• Members can appeal this discharge classification after a period of six (6) months have passed from the date of their discharge, and if successful will have their classification upgraded to Less than Honorable, Eligible for Re-enlistment.

Section 4.5 - Dishonorable Discharge

Section 4.5.1 - Criteria for Dishonorable Discharge

Dishonorable Discharge is used to discharge members who the General Staff feel for whatever reason do not and will not ever belong in the community. Thus, once discharged, there is no appeal.

Section 4.6 - Retirement

Section 4.6.1 - Introduction for Retirement

Retirement is a privilege extended to members that have served the Regiment for an extended period of time. In order to qualify for Retirement the following criteria must be met:

• 2 years of consecutive time in service, or 3 years of total time in service.
• Every 3 months served in a secondary billet is credited as 1 month time in service specifically and only towards retirement time required.
• No negative actions (Counseling Action or UCMJ) during the last year of service.
• All rules and regulations must continue to be observed. Joining another FPS organization will result in Retirement status being downgraded to Honorable Discharge.
• Retired members have the same access to Teamspeak as full members.
• Retired members may attend any Cav events, i.e. section practices, FTX's, operations, but do not get any medals or credit.

Section 4.6.2 - Downgrading of Retirement Status

Downgraded Retirements and Resumption of Retirement Status

• If a Retired Member joins another FPS Organization, their discharge status will changed to Honorable.
• A Retired Member may request to have their Retirement Status downgraded if they so choose, but must do so in writing submitted to the Chief of Staff.
• Resumption of Retired status can be requested by contacting the Chief of Staff directly.

Section 4.7 - Retirement with Honors

Section 4.7.1 - Introduction to Retirement with Honors

Retirement with Honors is reserved for members with significant, distinguished achievements during their service in the Regiment who have been placed on the Wall of Honor. Members who retire are considered by the General Staff for placement on the Wall of Honor. If selected, their discharge will be upgraded to Retired with Honors. All criteria pertaining to regular retirement applies equally to Retirement with Honors.

Section 5 - Appealing a Discharge Classification

Section 5.1 - Conditions of Appeal

The Classification of any discharge may be appealed under the following conditions:

1. The trooper must appeal the discharge classification in writing, either by email or the private messaging system within the forums.
2. The written appeal must be received within 30 days of the discharge.
3. It will be the responsibility of the appealing party to provide evidence and statements supporting their appeal. The Regiment will not force any of its members to appear on a troopers behalf.

Section 5.2 - Review Authority

All appeals will be reviewed by the entirety of the General Staff, with a final decision being given by the General of the Army.

The General Staff reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy when deemed in the best interest of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. Such an exception requires the unanimous decision of the General Staff.