Individuals unfamiliar with the corrections process often misunderstand these two terms. Prisoners must, however, submit a voluntary written application to be considered for restoration to duty. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, conviction of a felony- equivalent offense ordinarily disqualifies prisoners from restoration or return to duty. Prisoners returned to duty will complete their previous unfulfilled service obligation or be required to extend, at the discretion of the approving authority, to serve for a period of at least one year. Whereas the Commander, the Correctional Brigade, has the independent power to direct a return to duty, only the Secretary of the Army can direct restoration.
Restoration creates a new term of service, generally in the lowest enlisted grade.
It leaves unaffected the earlier service terminated by the punitive discharge and has no bearing on appellate review of the court- martial occurring in the preceding term. Restoration is a form of clemency which enables a prisoner to earn an honorable discharge subsequent to a previously executed punitive discharge. A prisoner being considered for clemency appears before a clemency disposition board convened at the correctional facility. The board is comprised of three voting members with military police or corrections experience. Board procedures generally comply with AR 15-6.