What Does A General Discharge Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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General discharge means that

you met the requirements of service

, likely with some minor disciplinary actions, or failure to meet certain standards. However, overall, your military performance was considered satisfactory.

Why would someone get a general discharge?

General discharges are given to

service members whose performance is satisfactory

but is marked by a considerable departure in duty performance and conduct expected of military members.

Is a general discharge bad?

A general discharge under honorable conditions means that

your service was satisfactory

, but did not deserve the highest level of discharge for performance and conduct. Many veterans with this type of discharge may have engaged in minor misconduct.

How does a general discharge work?

General Discharge

A General military discharge is a form of administrative discharge.

If a service member’s performance is satisfactory but the individual failed to meet all expectations of conduct for military members

, the discharge is considered a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions.

Is a general discharge the same as an honorable?

In contrast, a “General, Under Honorable Conditions” Discharge (commonly referred to as a General Discharge) is

for service members whose service was satisfactory

, but involved situations where the Soldier’s conduct and/or performance of duty were not so meritorious to warrant an Honorable Discharge.

Will a general discharge hurt my future?

With a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions, these rights remain intact. 5.

It won’t impact future job opportunities in most circumstances

. It is true that a future employer is going to prefer an individual with an Honorable Discharge over an individual with a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions.

What benefits do you lose with a general discharge?

General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions

Veterans who receive general discharges under honorable conditions are entitled to

all VA benefits

, with the exception of GI Bill education benefits.

Can you become a cop with a general discharge?

Active Duty and Military Reserves

General discharge and

uncharacterized discharge are also accepted

but reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who are currently in the military must provide a letter from their Commanding Officer stating the expected discharge status and date.

Are you considered a veteran with a general discharge?

Under federal law, a veteran is any person who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States.

Discharges marked “general and under honorable conditions

” also qualify. … They would be considered a veteran no matter how long they served.

How long does a general discharge take?

From start to finish, the process usually takes

at least 2 months and can take over a year to complete

.

Do you lose your security clearance general discharge?

Do you lose your security clearance general discharge? Generally,

a security clearance after separation from the military is good for 24 months or 2 years

.

Can you upgrade a general discharge?

If you have a general courts-martial discharge or want to a change your discharge to or from medical retirement or medical discharge, you

will have to apply to the Board for Correction of Military Records

. DRBs do not have authority to make these sorts of changes.

Can you rejoin the Army with a general discharge?

There are several types of discharges that can keep you from re-enlisting in the service, including a bad conduct discharge, an “other than honorable discharge” and a dishonorable discharge. On the other hand, if

you received a general or honorable discharge, you may qualify for re-enlistment

.

Do you still get your GI Bill with a general discharge?

The GI Bill has special eligibility requirements. For the GI Bill, your DD-214 has to actually say “Honorable.” A General discharge isn’t enough, and unlike all other VA benefits,

you cannot become eligible for the GI Bill through a successful Character of Discharge decision

.

How do you get a general discharge?

You can obtain an Army honorable discharge

simply by fulfilling your enlistment commitment

. You may also be discharged for falling short of Army standards, failing basic training, committing a major infraction of Army rules or an outright crime.

Is administrative separation an honorable discharge?

For administrative separations, a

service member can be separated

according to one of the following three categories (you cannot receive a dishonorable discharge through an administrative separation): Honorable; General (Under Honorable Conditions); or. Other than Honorable.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.