Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Honorable discharge w/general conditions

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Expert: Howard Lorenz - 1/21/2008


Question
My son was discharged from the Army "honorable discharge under general conditions.  He failed a urine test.  This was the year 2000.  He served six years.  How long will he suffer from this horrible mistake.  He has no benefits and cannot find a good decent job, especially with the gov't.  Please advise if this is considered a felony and what or if anything can be done to help him at least start over.  Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Linda,

Unfortunately this is a mistake that will plague him unless he learns to word himself better. He was discharged "Honorably" under general conditions. Never the less its an honorable discharge. The Military adds the "Under General Conditions" to lessen it from a full honorable.

In working for the government, they are the only ones really that can gain access to  the cause of his discharge because they ask for a copy of his DD 214. I think that he needs to qut trying to get veterans pref and straight up apply to government jobs.

He can apply to have his record changed as well. There has been enough time and if he can prove that he has been clean since they may reverse and take off the Under General Conditions.

HW

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Howard Lorenz

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I have spent the past 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 3 years was assigned as an Enlisted Accessions Recruiter. I have been deployed various times to several locations. If it is a career in the military you are looking for or thinking about I most likely have the answer. I still have contacts with in the recruiting field and if I don't know the answer then I have folks who do where I can find the answer. I am very blunt and straight forward and will make no attempts to BS you. I will give you the best information that I possible can can. If you think that you cant handle the answer that I give you, then don't ask the question...... If you are planning on joining the military, your number 1 decision factor in making this kind of move is that you need to be more concerned about serving your country than your country serving you!! All the benefits are the best that you can find. Education is at a premium right now and its the most rewarding thing that you can do. If I dont answer right away probably means that I am busy, but have patience, I will get to you.

Experience

Air Force Recruiter for 3 years, Air Force Career 21 Years

Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars

Education/Credentials
Community College of the Air Force, International Air Academy, Allied Business Schools, Embry Riddle Aeronautical College, Defense Acquisition University

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