Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 2/9/2012

Question
QUESTION: THE ARMY HAS DECIDED TO RETURN ME TO DUTY. I WANT TO BE DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY WITH AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE. MY ETS IS 20140703. WHAT TYPE OF DISCHARGE AM I ENTITLED TO LEGALLY UNDER THE UCMJ?

ANSWER: You need to give me more details before I can even begin to answer the question.  
What are you returned to duty from?
How long have you been in?
What rank?
What MOS?
Why do you want to be discharged?
What grounds for discharge do you have?

Answer those and I may be able to help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD AT CAMP CASEY KOREA, ALONG WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN, LBP, SHIN SPLINTS, PLANTAR FASCIA, AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA. I ALSO HAVE 2 BULGING DISCS IN MY NECK, I DETERIORATED DISC IN MY NECK, 4 PROTRUDING DISCS IN MY NECK, 1 BULGING DISC IN MY LOWER BACK, AND MY SPINE DOESN'T RETAIN FLUID. I'VE BEEN IN THE ARMY 9 YEARS MARCH 3RD THIS YEAR. I'M A SPECIALIST/E-4. 88M MOS. I AM IN THE ARMY ACTIVE BRANCH AND WANT TO BE DISCHARGED BECAUSE I AM AN ORDAINED MINISTER!

Answer
You being an ordained minister makes no difference in the type or characterization of discharge you could receive. If your medical status listed here is truly accurate, I'd go back and talk to the doctors about the possibility of a medical discharge.  If that fails, your options become limited without affecting your discharge characterization.