[Discharge Upgrade Wizard] DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) Updates due to recent DOD automatic discharge upgrades

[FranECross]

Status

[2024-12-18] [Fran] Note that this work takes precedence over the other two content update tickets (CAIA and Staging Review)

Description

The DOD recently reviewed and automatically upgraded service members who were discharged due to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and given a less than honorable discharge.

These Veterans were recently sent DD215’s showing their upgrade, and they will want an updated DD214, which they can ask for in Discharge Upgrade Wizard.

Because of this, we want to provide a streamlined experience for these Veterans. They won’t need provide all the extra information otherwise requested on the Results screen.

Their user scenario within DUW will be:

• Introduction screen, they'll click the Get started link
• Question 1 displays: What was your branch of service?
  • they'll choose their answer and click Continue
• Question 2 displays: What year were you discharged from the military?
  • Depending on their answer, they may or may not see Question 2b: What month were you discharged?
• User clicks Continue
• Question 3 displays: Tell us why you want to change your discharge paperwork.
  • User chooses: I received a DD215 that shows my discharge upgrade or correction. But I want an updated DD214. and click Continue
• Question 5b displays new wording: How did you previously apply for a discharge upgrade?
• A new question displays just above "I'm not sure"
  • I applied to a Discharge Review Board (DRB) for a Documentary Review.
  • I applied to a Discharge Review Board (DRB) for a Personal Appearance Review.
  • I applied to a Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR).
  • I haven’t previously applied for a discharge upgrade, but I received an upgrade from the Defense Department (DOD) due to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy
  • I'm not sure.
• Review screen: If they choose the new answer above and click Continue, then the Review Screen displays
• Results screen: Clicking continue on the review screen then displays the new Results screen with information specifically about applying for the updated DD214. See below for each military branches specifics. Also note that the text that displays just above the mailing address has changed somewhat - details below.

See screenshots below for the Results Screens.

Note that some info in Step 1 and Step 2 will be specific to the military branch.

Results for Air Force

The below is for military branch of Air Force for under section 2 Mail your completed form and all supporting materials:

Based on your answers, you need to complete an Application for Correction of Military Record (DD 149). You can download this form from the Air Force Review Boards Agency Website and Portal.

There are a number of different boards that handle discharge upgrades and corrections. Based on your answers on the previous page, you need to apply to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.

Mail your completed form and all supporting documents to the BCMR at:

Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records
3351 Celmers Lane
Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762-6435

At this time, there isn’t a way to submit this form online.

Results for Army

There are a number of different boards that handle discharge upgrades and corrections. Based on your answers on the previous page, you need to apply to the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR).

Mail your completed form and all supporting documents to the BCMR at:

Army Review Boards Agency
251 18th Street South
Suite 385
Arlington, VA 22202-3531

At this time, there isn’t a way to submit this form online.

Results for Coast Guard

There are a number of different boards that handle discharge upgrades and corrections. Based on your answers on the previous page, you need to apply to the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR).

Mail your completed form and all supporting documents to the BCMR at:

DHS Office of the General Counsel
Board for Correction of Military Records, Stop 0485
2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20528

At this time, there isn’t a way to submit this form online.

Results for Navy AND Marine Corps

There are a number of different boards that handle discharge upgrades and corrections. Based on your answers on the previous page, you need to apply to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR).

Mail your completed form and all supporting documents to the BCNR at:

Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR)
701 S. Courthouse Road, Suite 1001
Arlington, VA 22204-2490

At this time, there isn’t a way to submit this form online.

User story

AS A Veteran who was discharged because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and who recently received a DD215 showing my discharge was automatically upgraded
I WANT to go through an abbreviated Discharge Upgrade Wizard that will succinctly tell me what actions I need to take in order to get an updated DD214
SO THAT when I'm job-hunting or any other activity where I'm asked for my DD214, the discharge information on that document matches my new DD215

Additional information

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Resources & Information

Engineering notes / background

Analytics considerations

Testing & QA

• Question 5b is now: How did you previously apply for a discharge upgrade?
• Question 5b has a new answer option that displays just above "I don't know: I haven’t previously applied for a discharge upgrade, but I received an upgrade from the Defense Department (DOD) due to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy
• Results screens are basically the same as for the DD214/5 answer to Question 3, but see the specific text changes detailed above for each military branch.
  • Army Results Screen
  • Navy Results Screen
  • Air Force Results Screen
  • Coast Guard Results Screen
  • Marine Corps Results Screen
• Choosing this answer to Question 5b and results haven't regressed: I applied to a Discharge Review Board (DRB) for a Documentary Review.
• ] Choosing this answer to Question 5b and results haven't regressed: applied to a Discharge Review Board (DRB) for a Personal Appearance Review.
• ] Choosing this answer to Question 5b and results haven't regressed: I applied to a Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR).
• ] Choosing this answer to Question 5b and results haven't regressed: I'm not sure.

Scope / Impact analysis

What, if anything, could break as a result of this change?
Engineer should assess this when approaching PR.

Roles / assignments

After functional testing, code review, accessibility review, and design review can happen in parallel.

• Functional testing: @FranECross
• Accessibility review: @laflannery
• Product acceptance: @FranECross

AC / Expected behavior

• Question 5b is now: How did you previously apply for a discharge upgrade?
• Question 5b has a new answer option that displays just above "I don't know: I haven’t previously applied for a discharge upgrade, but I received an upgrade from the Defense Department (DOD) due to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy
• Results screens are basically the same as for the DD214/5 answer to Question 3, but see the specific text changes detailed above for each military branch.
• Ping @FranECross for testing.
  • @FranECross to update DUW Regression Tests (okay to close this ticket before this is finished)
• Ping @mmiddaugh for sign off

[hermonica]

Hi @FranECross! We've added our recommendations for the new results screen to this SharePoint document.

We also raised some questions about the logic, including whether Question 5b needs a new response (link to comment).

Hope this helps, and looking forward to streamlining the DUW flow with you!

[FranECross]

Thank you, @hermonica !!

[hermonica]

@FranECross, thanks for clarifying our questions about the logic!

We've updated our recommendations with a new response for Question 5b and its respective results screen in this SharePoint document.

Also, per your rec, we exported the Google Doc we were using before to SharePoint. Hope this removes any access barriers going forward :)

Let us know if this ticket is ready to close or if you have any questions. Thanks!

[FranECross]

Thanks so much, @hermonica! I should be able to review on Monday and will respond.

[hermonica]

@FranECross, hope you had a hearty holiday break! Did you get a chance to review our recommendations? Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks!

[FranECross]

@hermonica Thanks so much for checking back! I did have a great holiday break and hope you did as well. I admit I keep getting sidetracked when trying to review and assimilate your feedback, but it's on my list of "must do this week" tasks!

[hermonica]

@FranECross Take your time :) Just let me know if you have any questions. Glad you had a great break!

[FranECross]

@hermonica Everything makes good sense! BTW I updated the ticket to show what was decided and what results will be and will use this for our implementation ticket.

[chriskim2311]

@FranECross Added points and should be able to complete with my very short sprint in the new year.

[FranECross]

Updated Michelle in Slack on status / timing

[FranECross]

@chriskim2311 This passes product and testing acceptance. I've pinged Michelle M in Slack asking for her review. Thanks!

[jilladams]

Closing based on Fran's verification, but if we need to reopen for any reason, please do.