Military to Civilian Transition
What You Need To Know About Other-Than-Honorable Discharge
Good to keep in mind when looking for a job!
By Contributing Authors
Unfortunately, all too often I am asked what members should do if they are discharged with something besides an honorable discharge (like general, other-than-honorable, etc.).
First, let us address the different types of discharges:
Honorable Discharge
If a military service member received a good or excellent rating for their service time, they will be discharged from the military honorably. An honorable military discharge is a form of administrative discharge.
General Discharge
If a service member’s performance is satisfactory but the individual failed to meet all expectations of conduct, the discharge is considered a general discharge. To receive a general discharge from the military, there has to be some form of nonjudicial punishment to correct unacceptable military behavior. A general military discharge is a form of administrative discharge.
Other-Than-Honorable Conditions Discharge
The most severe type of military administrative discharge is other-than-honorable conditions. Examples of actions that could lead to an other-than-honorable discharge include security violations, use of violence, conviction by a civilian court with a sentence including prison time, or being found guilty of adultery in a divorce hearing (this list is not a definitive list; these are only examples). In most cases, veterans who receive an other-than-honorable discharge cannot re-enlist in the Armed Forces or reserves, except under very rare circumstances. Veterans benefits are not usually available to those discharged through this type of discharge.
Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)
The bad conduct discharge is only passed on to enlisted military members. It is given by a court-martial due to punishment for bad conduct. A bad conduct discharge is often preceded by a time in military prison. Virtually all veteran’s benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct.
Dishonorable Discharge
If the military considers a service member’s actions to be reprehensible, the general court-martial can determine if a dishonorable discharge is in order. Murder and sexual assault are examples of situations which would result in a dishonorable discharge. If someone is dishonorably discharged from the military, they are not allowed to own firearms, according to U.S. federal law. Military members who receive a dishonorable discharge forfeit all military and veterans benefits and may have a difficult time finding work in the civilian sector.
Officer Discharge
Commissioned officers cannot receive bad conduct discharges or a dishonorable discharge, nor can they be reduced in rank by a court-martial. If an officer is discharged by a general court-martial, they receive a dismissal notice. This is the same as a dishonorable discharge. Did you just get out of the military? Click the banner below for our Mother Of All Transition Guides for what to do next.
SummaryArticle NameWhat You Need To Know About Other-Than-Honorable DischargeDescriptionUnfortunately, all too often I am asked what members should do if they are discharged with something besides an honorable discharge.Author
G.I. Jobs
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G.I. Jobs
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Contributing Authors2020-10-16T09:32:31-04:00
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Summary
Article Name
What You Need To Know About Other-Than-Honorable Discharge
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Unfortunately, all too often I am asked what members should do if they are discharged with something besides an honorable discharge.
Author
G.I. Jobs
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G.I. Jobs
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I am still at a lost of understanding. I received a “UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS DIDCHARGE” , and there is no explanation or description . PLEASE elaborate
how do I find out if someone was dis honered from yhe navy?
Hi I served in the army national guard while looking through old military papers ran across one that state I was discharge from component: READY RESERVE TYPE OF DISCHARGE HONORABLE. dose this mean I fulfill my military service and is there any benefit in having this document Any information would be greatly appreciated. Respectfully submitted
Hello my name is Marvin Marble I got a Other Than Honorable discharge do to a drug problem I got while in the MARINE Corps I had a operation on my head in the VA hospital IN Chicago I wanted to know if i had any other benefits separation code is JKK1 if so what do I need to do Thank you Marvin Marble
So does general discharge shows up on your background check?
Kaven Bowen US Navy 441-66-2059
I received an honorable discharge from active duty. If I received a service-connected disability, may I receive VA Compensation if while in active duty I also received 2 Willful Misconducts ?
This article is inaccurate. You need to recheck your sources, if you had any.
My ex is being discharged as an unsatisfactory participant from the army reserves due to going awol to hide from the court. He owes $10k in child support and he was served with papers right before he went missing. How will he be discharged? He served 4 years active before going into the reseves. How will his discharge affect his future job hunt? He will eventually have to get himself together and start paying what he owes.
I received a chapter 10 discharge they told me it would become a general discharge in 6 mos after leaving the Army l had no bad time I was air assault qualified I don’t understand the reason for this type of discharge
I was voted honor man in the navy and went thru half of seal training and made a conscious decision to leave. It has been over 30 years, can it be commute to a general discharge after all this time? If so how. I am a true patriot and I have a copy of my proceedings. Thank you
Can i additional information on other than honorable discharge because paid I for my GI bill and never received benefits
If a vet has a less than an honorable discharge, does he still receive a DD214?
THE U.S GOVERNMENT SUCKS
Can still buy a gun and vote with an oth discharge
I was discharged from the Marines 37 years ago with an other-than-honorable discharge. Bottom line is too much fighting sounds funny but that’s the deal I’ve been promoted to private four times made it back to Corporal just to be busted back down to private but that’s besides the point is not why I’m trying to find out anything I just want to know if I can go to my son’s graduation out there and Fort Leonard Wood if I would be allowed to get on the base to go see him graduate
How hard is it to get a good job with an other than honorable discharge
I received an OTH discharge after 24 years of Army Reserve. I did get my 20 year letter so I know I qualify for retirement pay. My question is can I get a retirement ID card?
If I had an OTH administrative discharge am I still a veteran? I know I don’t qualify for benefits but am I still considered a veteran, can I get a Veteran ID card just to be able to show that I served my country
I recieved an honorable discharge,not because I was stellar or something special, but because I chose to get the job done and move on..it’s hard for those serving now with high stress and meds given due to PTSD,actually makes symptons worse,the problems lie when they get caught using canabis instead..therefore recieving OTH discharge…
Are you still able to find work in the civilian world with a OTH discharge? Will it have a negative effect on me financially?
I would like to upgrade my discharge after 15 years is this possible
How do you upgrade from a less than honorable discharge due to substance use?
WE HAVE TRYED TO UPGRADE MY HUSBANDS STATIS 5 TIMES WE HAVENT GOTTEN ANYWHERE VERY DISAPPOINTED. BARB ABERNETHY AND HE CANNOT HEAR BECAUSE OF THE MILITARY AND HE GETS NO COMPINSATION FOR HIS DISABILITY.
Not it is not, with an other than honorable discharge you have been you can be dicharged (kicked out) for many reasons. These reasons being you conduct, not meeting weight standrads, testing …
I am a USMC vet . Due to making a stupid mistake , state side , I was given an OTH discharge . I don’t want any medical or financial benefits , but I would like to be able to carry a military ID for proof of service . I was proud to ware that uniform , but due to my discharge situation , I lost my relationship with my father and brother . I have lived with the shame , regret , embarrassment for over 35 years now . My father and I didn’t speak for the last 23 years of his life . He has been gone now for 11 years , and every day I know I didn’t make him proud . It’s hard when you live life knowing you made a mistake , and now you are nothing .
Hi Joe! I am a mother of son that was discharged with other than honorable. I was looking for information and found your email. I cried. We all have made mistakes. You are not the only one. I am very sure your dad and brother did too. Please, deliver yourself from that punishment. Love can forgive. As a mother, I did have expectations but I know that my children, just like me, are not perfect. I love them. I forgive them. I encourage them. I am so proud to be their mom, regardless of their imperfections.
Do not know your past but you can change your future. Choose to put all those bad moments in the past by learning through them to be a better person. I was left by people I loved and I chose to move forward and learned to deal with pain and disappointments. Today, I encourage others to do the same. I am very sure, based on your message, you care and love deeply… give that love and care to someone that really needs it. It will be appreciated so much! Love yourself! Go to school, learn new things, move out of the sad, dark living to a brighter future and people that will value you for who your are today!!!
Mr. Kuczma:
Look up your nearby veterans hospital and apply for a medical card identification. It is a simple VA card but i pretty much was honored to get one as i also have OTH.
Through the VA I have been able to get therapy for stress management.
I am sorry for the loss of your father and the relationships you lost due to your past. For many years I also walked with shame & embarrassment until I came to learn that God heals. It is a far more more terrible mistake to continue to live with shame.
You are something! You are someone. I am sure you served honorably in your heart. We can’t always change what our discharge papers say but we can change how we view ourselves. I pray that you will reconnect with yourself. Find your own value so that peace can step into your home. Have the courage to reach out to your brother. Surely you will always be a Marine at heart, no document can take away from you.
God bless you Marine.
That is so sad. Guilt I understand. But to imply that you are nothing is the worst thing that you can say about yourself . Stay strong
Hi my name is Victor GARCIA ..If an other than. Is not dishonorable.. and the GI has a good Record on DD214 than what about. Qualifyng for A VA loan help.. I Was played a prank. And Fall for it.. So.. I deserve it for not whatching out for my self…
What should I do if I have an OTH because of Drug/Alcohol use.?
Note: I was discharged in April 1994.
I applied for an upgrade 3 yrs ago and was denied an “General Under Honorable Conditions upgrade
That’s a GREAT question!!!! I’m a Navy Veteran who has the same issue, except I discharged December, 1991, I’m interested in learning more about your experience, if able to upgrade your discharge status!
I see this circumstance so often that I need to get some answers. I met a veteran that has a honorable discharge and a bad conduct discharge. I learned that his first discharge gives him certain benefits. Does he still qualify for veteran’s preference? The odd thing is his DD214 says bad conduct but has one date that makes it look like it was a 10-year enlistment, so how does that make any sense?
You just will not answer my very important questions in 1969 my brother was drafted during the Viet Nam conflict yet Several times he went AWOL and came back home even though punishment never helped at all.He was given an undesirable discharge then.I do know president Ford managed to pardon many people for what they did wrong. Question one.do people like that still get to claim they served in the united States army clearly he did not.Question 2 .on memorial day do they also get small flags places on their graves as do those that really did serve? Question 3 .Are they allowed to possess firearms? Question4 . Are they allowed any kind of help like medical a buried from the army or advertise upon death that they served their country United States Army? Can I please just get some clear straight answers I do not want to read hundreds of legal and military papers to find these answers ty for your help.J. Tolliver ohio
I was discriminated by my first sargent.When Ienlisted in the Marine Corp the First thing we were told that there is no discrimination and the only color is green.Now myself and this Sargent had some issues he called me a Wetback which I address him and ask him what did you called Me He came out and Said Wetback!Are you or not I said No there’s one color and it’s green then he’ll broke lose.so I was given a discharge other then honrable.even though I had two other honarables.Will this keep me from getting my benefits for my disability?.
I was discharged for marijuana.
Above you state ‘Virtually all veteran’s benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct.’
What veterans benefits are available?
I have a chapter 10 discharge what all benifits do I qualify for
Why is there not a program to help those guys who had PTSD or whose wife cheated while on duty. My sons wife also was serving but doing more service and advanced quickly. It crushed his heart that she cheated on him and he drank and while trainign she was screwing sergenats. This is so unfair that the root cause of pain and PTSD has to do with his service and yet they kick him to the curb having served 3 1/2 years.
I feel I was unjustly discharged from the army because of prejudice. They asked if we wanted to get out of the service for being AWOL I was drafted I did basic and ait. Then was a holdover for 10 days waiting to go to Vietnam but instead they sent me to Germany I signed up to fight for my country not to play security guard.so they offered the black guy’s ud discharge and gave the white boys general discharges.
Can anyone help me get a veteran I’d
I still don’t understand what I can do, is there a group that can take this task on for me, is there someone I can call, please help
I would like to speak with someone who might know more about this than I do. If I have a Other Than Honorable Discharge can I still become a Firefighter or Polic Officer
Can I get a lawyer to help me change my brother discharge. Thanks you
It is important to note that the VA, for benefits purposes, looks at your character of SERVICE, not your character of DISCHARGE. There is a very real and legal difference between the two. A veteran may have served quite honorably during his time in uniform and encounter issues at the time of discharge that can seem disqualifying, but arent. Go to the VA and get your benefits. The Vietnam Era vets finally got better service because the flood of OIF/OEF vets forced the VA’s hand.
Can you get a military ID card if you had an other than honorable discharge
from the va hospital yes. i was able to get one and still serves as mil identification in most cases within civilian life.
have in the military or are these assumption based statements
Have you been in the military or are these assumption based statements
I have a chapter 10 OTH for going AWOL about 30yrs ago & I was married to a retired now deceased SFC. I’m I entitled to any benefit.s?
So, Since I was given an Other than Honorabe in 2006 but have an extensive Record in a Combat Theater, Should this help my upgrade? Now that I’m having kids and settling down , I’m trying to do everything I can to secure a future for them.
im in the same boat as you i have service connected disabilities but due to recieving a oth 15 days before i eas i cant get disability
Is there such a thing as a 212 discharge?
Undesirable to Milatary service, that would be Honorable in 6 months?
I received an other than honorable discharge for something my spouse did how do I get this upgrade
I was given an Other Than Honorable discharge in 1983-84 from the USAR because I was a victim of Domestic Violence and unable to report to my unit in Fresno and had an 18 month wait for school in Texas. During the waiting period I found out I was pregnant
and getting married.
It’s my beliefs that being victimized (police were called) and my pregnancy shouldn’t have been and Other Than Honorable Discharge as I did not commit any crimes.
My grandson was in the marine corp from May 2016 to January 2017 and was given a OTH for drug and alcohol abuse due to in my opinion the lack of supervision because the class was delayed and his company of 18 and 19 year olds were left on their own for almost a month in their barracks and of course nothing good could happen under those circumstances just wondering if he could be eligible for a upgrade to his discharge at some time he would like to get a job in the Post office or environmental police or TSA
Hello, I was discharged with an other than honorable discharge in 1986 due to drug problems. I tried to appeal it 35 years later once I got off drugs. I have also since become a drug counselor. My appeal was turned down twice. They say it’s because I came in with drugs in my system and I turned down the help when I was being released. Obviously I was on drugs at my release and would not accept a program. I feel that I should be granted the appeal since I’ve turned my life around and I am now a drug counselor. How do I go about appealing my case to a satisfaction resule.
Everyone, just so you know, if you have at least one Honorable Discharge and reenlisted an got something else (I received a bad conduct discharge), You still qualify for your VA benefits since you finished your first enlistment, regardless of the last one. I used my GI Bill to get my Bachelors degree and the VA sent me my home loan paperwork while I was incarcerated. Lastly, I have been out for 20 years now and have always been employed.
I received an other than honorable discharge for not showing up for weekend training in National Gaurd for work reasons many years ago and would like to know if there is any way to have that changed.
Can you receive and OTH discharge after serving 20 years of active federal service in the Army?