DAFMAN 51-507: ENLISTED DISCHARGE BOARDS AND BOARDS OF OFFICERS

DAFMAN 51-507 — index record

Number	DAFMAN 51-507
Title	ENLISTED DISCHARGE BOARDS AND BOARDS OF OFFICERS
Published	July 27, 2023
Certified current	July 27, 2023
Office of primary responsibility	AF/JA
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	Rewrite, July 27, 2023
Source index	Air Force e-Publishing
Index last read	October 20, 2026

Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.

From the publication itself

Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (18 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This publication is available for downloading or ordering on the e- Publishing website at ww.e-Publishing.af.mil RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication

Summary of changes, as printed

This publication has been substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. Major changes include the elimination of template forms, scripts, and worksheets for administrative discharge boards and Boards of Officers, as well as updated language reflecting the burden of proof applicable to commissioned officers required to show cause for retention on active duty. All templates and forms can now be found only on the Virtual Military Justice Deskbook (VMJD) on FLITE KM. If a Respondent is represented by civilian counsel alone, or represents themselves pro se, the servicing legal office should locate and provide a copy of the relevant documents to civilian counsel or the pro se Respondent.

Chapter 1—OFFICER AND ENLISTED DISCHARGE BOARDS OVERVIEWp. 4
Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 5
Chapter 3—DISCHARGE BOARD COMPOSITION AND GUIDELINESp. 8
Chapter 4—DISCHARGE BOARD PROCESSp. 14
Chapter 5—RULES OF EVIDENCEp. 17
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 20

All 31 contents entries

Chapter 1—OFFICER AND ENLISTED DISCHARGE BOARDS OVERVIEWp. 4
1.1. Overviewp. 4
1.2. Administrative Discharge Boardsp. 4
1.3. Boards of Officersp. 4
Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 5
2.1. For Enlisted Administrative Discharge Boards, Convening Authorities will:p. 5
2.2. For Boards of Officers, Show Cause Authorities will:p. 5
2.3. Commanders will:p. 6
2.4. Staff Judge Advocates will:p. 6
2.5. Legal Advisors will:p. 6
2.6. Victims’ Counsel will:p. 6
2.7. Recorders will:p. 6
2.8. Reporters, when utilized, will:p. 7
2.9. Interpreters willp. 7
Chapter 3—DISCHARGE BOARD COMPOSITION AND GUIDELINESp. 8
3.1. Voting Membersp. 8
3.2. Non-Voting membersp. 8
3.3. Guidelinesp. 9
Chapter 4—DISCHARGE BOARD PROCESSp. 14
4.1. Oathsp. 14
4.2. Pre-Board Sessionsp. 14
4.3. Board Hearingsp. 14
4.4. Findings and Recommendationsp. 15
Chapter 5—RULES OF EVIDENCEp. 17
5.1. Admissibility of Evidencep. 17
5.2. Hearsay Evidencep. 17
5.3. Privilegesp. 18
5.4. Polygraphsp. 18
5.5. Additional Rules of Evidencep. 18
5.6. Resolving Evidentiary Mattersp. 19
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 20

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DAFMAN 51-507

DAFMAN 51-507 — index record

From the publication itself

Purpose, in the publication’s words

Summary of changes, as printed

Contents

Other DAFMAN publications nearby in the series