Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-23
Veterans and
Druftees
By Moi. Thomos N. Mol

II
By Maj. Thomos N. Mol
Intense family problems crop
UP from time to time for men
In service, just as they do for
civilians. Frequently, however,
civilians can deal with their
problems much easier than serv-
icemen.
Sometimes the serviceman Is
away from his family serving
overseas. At other times the
problems involve money and
can't be solved with q service
mans pay.
In any case the armed forces
are aware that such problems
come UP and permit servicemen
to be discharged when real
and unwarranted hardship" on
their family exists.
If you're in service and, be-
cause you are, your family has
been burdened with a real hard
ship, don't hesitate to ask for a
discharge.
Rules to Follow.
OF course. your service Is not
going to give you a discharge on
flimsy grounds. To make sure
that everyone is playing the
game by the same rules, the
services have set up some simple
guideposts to follow before you
even ask for a discharge.
Chances are you'll get favor
able consideration if you can
answer Eyes" to these questions:
/. Is there no way to answer
the problem except for you to get
out of uniform? Naturally your
service wants to make certain
that your discharge will eliminate
or greatly lessen the hardship. It
also wants to be sure that no
other means of relief are avail
able.
2. Is the hardship of a con-
tinulng nature? You won't be
given a hardship discharge just
because your wife has broken a
leg. Continuing nature" means
that the hardship isn't likely to
let up for a long time. If your
wife breaks her leg. the best you
can do is get an emergency
leave.
3. Does undue and genuine
hardship exist? Since each indi-
vidual request for a hardship
discharge is considered on its
merits, it's impossible to define
undue and genuine hardship.
That's something your service
will have to decide after you sub
NIT facts and affidavits.
Financial Aid.
4. Have you made every effort
to relieve the hardship, to no
avail? The services make every
effort through their allotment
system to provide for financial
help to your family. If your re-
quest for a discharge is based
on financial worries it isn't likely
your service will consider it un-
less you've made some effort to
relieve them through allotments.
5. Has the condition come up
or got much worse since you
went into service? If the hard
ship was present when you were
drafted or enlisted the service
will wonder why you didn't bring
1t up then. It will take a long
look at your case before it'll let
you out now. II
II you can answer yes to these
questions, the next step is to
apply for a discharge.
If you're stationed in the
United States, no matter whether
you're an officer or an enlisted
man. you must make your apph-
cation through your command
ing officer. Your family can't
make such a request, but, of
course, it can provide affidavits,
statements or recommendations.
If you're stationed overseas
you also must make application |
through your commanding Off
Ger. But if you're an Army en-
listed man your family may
make a request directly to the |
adjutant general, Department |
OF the Army, Washington rs, |
D. c. The family of an Air Force |
enlisted man serving overseas
may request a discharge from |
the director of military per-
sonnet. headquarters, USAF,
Washington rs, D. c. The Navy
won't accept requests from fam |
lilies.
you may Write Moi. Mai
IN care OF The Star about
your seruice-connected prob
lem. Please inclose a stamped,
selt-addressed envelope and