Discharge Denies Veteran Benefits

A discharge from the military (excepting the case of an honorable discharge) effectively means that said ex-military personnel is denied veterans benefits of any form, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill. It’s important than all active duty or reserve member be familiar with these terms, especially those expecting receive military benefits. Benefits are well documented as being among the highest incentives for military recruitment.

Different Discharges

The reasons behind dishonorable discharges, include a variety of key offenses: sexual assault, murder, desertion, refusal to comply with orders and mutiny, among other crimes. General court-marshals are required to allocate these dishonorable discharges. Other discharges, however, are not as clear-cut on the morality scale, and may not require the General court-marshal’s approval.

The top two offenses leading to a general discharge include homosexuality and recreational drug use. A General discharge allows the military member to receive VA medical benefits, but they are nixed from the financial aid programs available and must sign a document acknowledging that “substantial prejudice in civilian life” may be encountered under a general discharge. This can also be used as an administrative discharge in order to rid of any problems in a unit.

In between a general discharge and a dishonorable discharge is the OTH, or the “Other Than Honorable” discharge. OTH is the most severe administrative discharge available. Divorce, adultery, or being brought to a civil court may result in this. OTH is often given in lieu of a proceeding with a court-marshal, avoiding a Dishonorable Discharge. A heated issue falling in this category lately is that of married couples or other service members getting pregnant or impregnating another service members while on duty.

Lastly, there is ELS, or “entry level separation,” which applies to discharges made during the first 180 days of service.

Affects of Being Discharged

In addition to losing military benefits, military personnel that are discharged may encounter issues involving: the acquisition of a government-related job, acquiring any kind of job that performs a background check, denial of financial aid to family members, denial of service in the future to family members, and criminal markings on your permanent record.