Discharge.—Discharges are of three kinds: honorable, dishonorable and plain discharge. The first is on a white sheet and entitles the soldier to re-enlist; the second is on a yellow sheet and is given following sentence of a general court-martial; the third is on a blue sheet and is given on account of physical disability—it does not entitle the soldier to re-enlist.
Final Statement, a.r., Art. 21.—The final statement is issued to every enlisted man upon his discharge unless he has forfeited all pay and allowances and has no deposits due him.
The final statement is not to be prepared on the type-writer. Money amounts shall be written in both figures and words. The final statement should show the amount due the soldier for: additional pay; clothing; deposits; pay detained; miscellaneous causes. It also should show the amounts due the United States by the soldier for various reasons. In addition it should also state the period covered by the last pay of the soldier.
Officers signing and certifying to the various entries are responsible.
Muster Roll a.r. Article 42.—The muster roll is made bi-monthly and great care should be taken in its preparation to make it both correct and complete. All officers and enlisted men are taken up on the muster roll from the date of receipt of notice of assignment. The following are entered on the rolls:
- Commissioned officers belonging to the organization, in order of rank.
- Commissioned officers attached to the organization, in order of rank.
- Non-commissioned officers in order of grade.
- All others except musicians and privates, alphabetically arranged in order of grade.
- Musicians.
- Privates.
All names, except those entered by rank, are entered in alphabetical order with the last name first.
The names of enlisted men attached to the company are borne on a detachment roll. This is not true of officers attached to an organization, however.
Remarks should be entered according to the model which can be obtained from the Adjutant General's Office.
All changes should be noted which affect the status of the soldier. An excellent idea for retaining this data is to keep a separate card for each man and to enter thereon anything that affects his status.