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Velvet Digest

How do you get an honorable discharge?

Author

Eleanor Gray

Updated on April 27, 2026

To receive an honorable discharge, a service member must have received a rating from good to excellent for his or her service. Service members who meet or exceed the required standards of duty performance and personal conduct, and who complete their tours of duty, normally receive honorable discharges.

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Regarding this, what does it mean to get an honorable discharge?

The best type of discharge you can receive is an honorable discharge. This means that you met or exceeded the conduct and performance standards of the military. You're eligible for all veteran (and military) benefits if you receive this discharge.

Likewise, do honorable discharge get benefits? 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.

In this regard, how do you get a dishonorable discharge?

Dishonorable discharges are handed down for what the military considers the most reprehensible conduct. This type of discharge may be rendered only by conviction at a general court-martial for serious offenses (e.g., desertion, sexual assault, murder, etc.) that call for dishonorable discharge as part of the sentence.

Is a general discharge bad?

General discharge (Under Honorable Conditions) This status level could be a reflection of questionable conduct for military members, or perhaps medical reasons for a premature discharge and in most cases this discharge status level is involuntary.

Related Question Answers

Can you get laid in the military?

Some people in the military get laid in the military where they might not get laid at all as a civilian. Other people in the military get laid a lot more than average.

Can you get kicked out of the army for failing PT test?

1) Yes. After a APFT failure, the retest must be taken within 90 days. It should be taken as soon as the Soldier and the commander feel the Soldier is ready. If your husband wasn't ready, he shouldn't have taken it.

Can you quit the army?

Military Discharge There is no way to simply quit the Army once you are on active duty. You are contractually, and perhaps morally, obligated to see your commitment through. However, you could be discharged from duty early if you are physically or psychologically unable to perform your Army duties.

Can you get an honorable discharge with an Article 15?

Under certain circumstances, however, a Soldier need not complete their full term of service to receive an Honorable Discharge, so long as the discharge is not due to misconduct. Recipients of General Discharges usually have engaged in minor misconduct or have received nonjudicial punishment under Article 15, UCMJ.

What is a Chapter 14 in the Army?

14–1. This chapter establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating personnel for misconduct because of minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, commission of a serious offense, conviction by civil authorities, desertion, and absence without leave.

Why do soldiers get discharged?

A military discharge is simply defined as a military member being released from their obligation to continue service in the armed forces. A discharge relieves the veteran from any future military service obligations where as a retired reserve individual may be called back to active duty.

What is a Chapter 10 in the Army?

Each Military Service allows Servicemembers to administratively separate instead of going through a court-martial. For example, Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 10, allows Soldiers to administratively separate in lieu of a court-martial by admitting to at least one charge.

Can you get a job with a general discharge?

When applying for a Federal civil service job with a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions, a qualified individual with a passing score can receive a hiring preference. The application is a points-based system, so individuals with this discharge type who qualify can have up to 10 points added to their scores.

Are you still a veteran if you were dishonorably discharged?

Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” This definition explains that any individual that completed a service for any branch of armed forces

What is it called when you quit the military?

The term AWOL, standing for absent without leave, is a term for desertion used in armed forces of many English-speaking countries. "Block leave" is the time allotted to be spent with families independently of their units and where they must not report to their units while on rotation from their tours.

What does re 4 mean on dd214?

General Reenlistment Guidelines RE Code 1: May reenlist in without issue. RE Code 3: May normally reenlist but a waiver will probably be required. RE Code 4: Normally not eligible to reenlist, nor join another service. Usually will require an Exception to Policy waiver to reenlist.

Can you go to jail for adultery in the military?

Possible Penalties and Punishment for Adultery Adultery is punishable under Article 134, with a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for up to 1 year.

How long do you have to serve in the military to receive benefits?

Veteran benefits and length of service Eligibility for most veterans benefits requires a minimum length of military service. Take a gander this table. As you can see, to qualify for full Montgomery GI Bill education benefits, you have to serve for a minimum of 36 months.

What kind of discharge do you get for failing a drug test?

Failed drug test come with different complications. The usual outcome is a dishonorable discharge but their has been cases that lead other forms of discipline.

Can you get in trouble for going AWOL?

Punishment for Going AWOL Besides, the maximum punishment according to the law is death or life in prison if desertion is carried out to avoid war. In fact, the vast majority of AWOL and desertion cases are disposed of with an administrative discharge.

What happens when you go AWOL?

For instance, being AWOL for less than three days can result in a maximum penalty of confinement for one month and forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one month. After 30 days or more, service members face dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a one-year confinement.

What rights do you lose with a dishonorable discharge?

In order to lose some of your rights and privileges as a citizen, you would need to be discharged through dishonorable discharge, which (in some jurisdictions) may lead to lose of the right to vote or right to own a firearm. Other than the right to vote and own a firearm you might also lose the right to get elected.

How do I know if I'm a veteran?

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 it take to get your honorable discharge certificate?

Normally, it is mailed (certified) to your home of record within 90 days of your ETS date along with your DD-214. If this is not the case, you can go to and put in a request for any military documentation you require, but it will take some time (30-90 days).