Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 2/13/2009

Question
I believe you have answered this question before, but I just want to clarify.

In 2000, I received Report of Separation Record from the MA Army National Guard.

On line #9 it states command to which transferred, USAR control group (Annual Training).

Line # 18 (Remarks) Soldier was assigned to USAR control group (annual training) for completion of 5 years 1 month and two days. Soldier was discharged without personal notice due to constructive notification by office of the adjutant general. Forms were mailed to soldiers last known address.  NGR 600-200 Para 7-23 (2) Bar to reenlist. Nothing follows.

Line 23 Authority and reason, Para 8-27f NGR 600-200 Unsatisfactory Participant Sep code CW

Line 24. General Discharge Line 25 NGB form 56a

Line 26. RE-3.

Almost three years later, I received a letter from the USAR.  It stated my records were no longer held by the ARMY, and they would be kept by the National Archives, in Saint Louis, MO. The letter also contained an Honorable Discharge.

You answerd this last time by saying, "Your service will not limit your job opportunities.  You may characterize it as honorable based on your most recent discharge."

I just want to clarify that for all accounts and purposes I am considered Honorably Discharged from the ARMY and can receive all benefits related from such, i.e. federal employment, re-enlistment in the ARMY, etc.  Also, meaning on all job applications I can list that I am Honorably Discharged from the ARMY.
Does this discharge basically supersede or cancel out the old discharge?

Thank you for your time,
Rick


Answer
Dear Rick --

If your most recent DD Form 214 grants you an honorable discharge, that DD Form 214 should supercede all previously granted discharges, if it was not obtained fraudulently.

Your re-entry code could still be poor, even with an honorable discharge, so whether you can re-enlist is unclear, but you should be eligible for those VA benefits earned by your period and type of service.

Although the characterization of your discharge from the reserves might have been granted in error, you will most likely be allowed to benefit from this administrative error.

Your discharge, however, was from the Army Reserves.  If you state you have an honorable discharge from the Army, you will be inferring past active service, which you do not have.  

I hope this clarification helps.