Discharge from service in the British army is a matter of right at the expiration of the period of 12 years (with the colours, or with the colours and in the reserve, as the case may be) for which a soldier has enlisted (see ARMY, Vol. I. p. 434; and ENLISTMENT). At the end of that period he is then entitled to be discharged, but without pension; but if in consequence of his good service he is allowed to re-engage for a further period of 9 years' army service, he becomes entitled to a pension, and may in some circumstances further prolong his service beyond 21 years, with a right to discharge and pension (unless forfeited by misconduct) after giving three months' notice. At the end of 16 years a re-engaged man can also, if recommended, obtain a free discharge, but without pension, which can only be earned by 21 years' service. Any soldier during peace may purchase his discharge at a rate varying with the length of time which he still has to serve and the corps to which he belongs, but not exceeding £35 as a maximum. He may be discharged by the competent military authority at any time if he has been convicted by the civil power either before or after enlistment, also when sentenced by court-martial to penal servitude or to be 'discharged with ignominy,' when reported by his commanding officer as 'incorrigible and worthless,' or when found medically unfit. He is always entitled if abroad to be brought to the United Kingdom free of expense, and to a parchment certificate stating his service, conduct, and cause of discharge, with a note of any qualification he may have for special employment in civil life.
Discharge of Seamen is conducted in the same form as the engagement of seamen. Each person discharged receives an official paper giving the particulars of the voyage, with his rating, &c. If there is any dispute as to the total amount of wages a seaman is then to receive, the superintendent of the government mercantile marine office where the seaman is paid off may adjudicate, if the amount in dispute does not exceed five pounds, and his decision is final; or he may leave the matter to be settled in a court of law. A seaman who is discharged abroad and becomes distressed may be sent home at the expense of the owner of his last ship, or at the expense of the Mercantile Marine Fund. Under Indian acts, Lascars and other native seamen who may be discharged elsewhere than in India must be returned to the port they shipped at. See CREW.