Final answer:
The authority to upgrade a discharge is the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), which is responsible for reviewing and potentially changing discharge records for the Navy and Marine Corps.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authority to upgrade a military discharge is vested in the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR). This board has the power to review and change discharges, correcting any errors or injustices. Although the President serves as the Commander in Chief and has powers such as granting reprieves and pardons, discharge upgrades specifically fall under the jurisdiction of the BCNR, which is the entity responsible for correcting official records of current and former members of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Relevance to Other Service Branches
Similar boards exist for the other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, such as the Army Board for Correction of Military Records and the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records. They operate under similar principles as the BCNR to ensure fairness and justice for service members.