page_title: Military discharge
section_title: Clemency Discharge
hierarchical_section_title: Military discharge / United States / Administrative discharges / Clemency Discharge
caption_attribution_description: English: Clemency Discharge
context_page_description: A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve. Each country's military has different types of discharge. They are generally based on whether the person completed their training and then fully and satisfactorily completed their term of service. Other types of discharge are based on factors such as the quality of the person's service, whether their service had to be ended prematurely due to humanitarian or medical reasons, whether the person had been found to have drug or alcohol dependency issues and whether they were complying with treatment and counseling, or whether the person had demerits or punishments for infractions or were convicted of any crimes. These factors affect whether they will be asked or allowed to re-enlist and whether they qualify for benefits after their discharge.
context_section_description: By Presidential Proclamation 4313, President Gerald Ford created a procedure for those military personnel who resisted the Vietnam War to receive a Presidential Pardon and have their punitive discharges changed to a Clemency Discharge. It also provided a path for those who left the country to return. If the military personnel fulfilled certain requirements of alternative service, they would also receive a Certificate of Completion from the Selective Service System.
caption: Clemency Discharge established by Presidential Proclamation 4313
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