Types of discharge Military discharge

1 types of discharge

1.1 administrative

1.1.1 entry level separation (els): uncharacterized
1.1.2 honorable
1.1.3 general
1.1.4 other honorable (oth)
1.1.5 clemency discharge


1.2 punitive

1.2.1 bad conduct discharge (bcd)
1.2.2 dishonorable


1.3 statistics

types of discharge
administrative
entry level separation (els): uncharacterized

entry level separations, or uncharacterized discharge, given individuals separate prior completing 180 days of military service, or when discharge action initiated prior 180 days of service. type of discharge not attempt characterize service or bad. however, type of discharge attaches reason such pregnancy, performance in training or medical issues.

world war poster depicting soldier holding honorable discharge.


honorable

to receive honorable discharge, service member must have received rating excellent or service. service members meet or exceed required standards of duty performance , personal conduct, , complete tours of duty, receive honorable discharges. however, 1 need not complete term of service receive honorable discharge, provided reason involuntary discharge not due misconduct. instance, service members rendered physically or psychologically incapable of performing assigned duties have service characterized honorable, regardless of whether incurred condition or disability in line of duty, provided otherwise met or exceeded standards. similarly, service members selected involuntary discharge due reduction in force (rif) typically receive honorable discharge, assuming conduct while on active duty met or exceeded standards.

united states marines must have proficiency , conduct rating of 3.0/4.0 or higher receive honorable discharge.

general

general discharges given service members performance satisfactory marked considerable departure in duty performance , conduct expected of military members. reasons such characterization of service vary, medical discharges misconduct, , utilized unit commander means correct unacceptable behavior prior initiating discharge action (unless reason drug abuse, in case discharge mandatory). commander must disclose reasons discharge action in writing service member, , must explain reasons recommending service characterized general (under honorable conditions). service member required sign statement acknowledging receipt , understanding of notification of pending discharge memorandum. person advised of right seek counsel , present supporting statements.

in addition, service members required sign documents acknowledging substantial prejudice in civilian life may encountered under general discharge. general discharge may or may not preclude veteran s participation in gi bill, service on veterans commissions, , other programs honorable discharge required, eligible va disability , other benefits. illinois prohibits discrimination against veteran housing or employment on basis of unfavorable discharge military service per human rights act of 1970; protection not apply dishonorably discharged veterans, shown below.

other honorable (oth)

an oth form of administrative discharge. type of discharge represents departure conduct , performance expected of military members.

recipients of oth discharges barred reenlisting component of armed forces including reserve , national guard components.

generally, in order receive va benefits , services, veteran’s character of discharge or service must under other dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general) stated va policy. however, individuals receiving other-than-honorable or bad conduct discharge may qualify va benefits depending on character of service determination (csd) made va.

if veteran has either service-connected injury or illness, @ least 2 years of active-duty service, or has received @ least 1 honorable discharge able enroll in va health care system. va submit form 7131 (information exchange between va regional offices , medical facilities) , make character of service determination decide if service honorable (for va purposes) , honorable (for medical purposes) , or dishonorable .

veterans oth discharge qualify va healthcare eligible submit claims disability compensation pay, participation in educational, volunteer, , vocational rehabilitation programs. other honorable recipients eligible montgomery gi bill benefits if have completed @ least 1 honorable discharge , may eligible post 9/11 gi bill benefits if va determines service honorable (for va purposes) .

clemency discharge

clemency discharge established presidential proclamation 4313

by presidential proclamation 4313, president ford created procedure military personnel resisted against vietnam war receive presidential pardon , have punitive discharges changed clemency discharge. provided path left country return. if military personnel fulfilled requirements of alternative service, receive certificate of completion selective service system.

punitive

both of following types of discharges examples of conduct prejudicial order , discipline.

bad conduct discharge (bcd)

a bad conduct discharge (bcd), can given court-martial (either special or general) punishment enlisted service-member. bad conduct discharges preceded period of confinement in military prison. discharge not executed until completion of both confinement , appellate review process.

virtually veterans benefits forfeited bad conduct discharge; bcd recipients not eligible va disability compensation in accordance 38 cfr 3.12.

dishonorable

a dishonorable discharge (dd) can handed down enlisted member general court-martial. dishonorable discharges handed down military considers reprehensible conduct. type of discharge may rendered conviction @ general court-martial serious offenses (e.g., desertion, sexual assault, murder, etc.) call dishonorable discharge part of sentence.

with characterization of service, veterans benefits lost, regardless of past honorable service, , type of discharge regarded shameful in military. in many states dishonorable discharge deemed equivalent of felony conviction, attendant loss of civil rights. additionally, federal law prohibits possession of firearms have been dishonorably discharged per gun control act of 1968.

statistics

according department of defense, out of 207,000 service members discharged in 2014, more 18,000 (9%) issued less-than-honorable paperwork, including 4,143 other-than-honorable discharges, 637 bad conduct discharges, , 157 dishonorable discharges. after 2000, 352,000 people handed similar papers ranging general discharge bad conduct , dishonorable discharge.