Expert: Rod Powers - 6/18/2006

Question
Thanks for your reply.  He is still "working" at camp and has been told he will be released in about a month.  He was also told it would be a general discharge.  Would this be ok?
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Followup To

Question -
My son enlisted in the army and left for boot camp.  Since he has been there, the army says his past medical conditions prevent him from continuring and are sending him home without completely basic.  It is his understanding that he will no longer be eligible for any of the bonus money, college funds, or reimbursement for expenses he has occured by leaving for training.  Is this correct?  He is also told that his discharge will be a General Discharge since he has only been in a few months and has not had any negative conduct.  Is a "general discharge" still honorable?  Will this type of discharge prevent him from future employement?  He had hoped to become a teacher.

Thank you for your help.

Answer -
Hi TTerrell,

He will not be eligible for any bonus money, colelge funds, etc., as these bonuses are contingent on completing basic training and job training.

You may want to read my article about Administrative Discharges at:  http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/l/aadischarge1.htm.

If he is still in basic training, or in job-training (following basic training) the most likely discharge will be an "entry level" discharge.  An "Entry Level" discharge is not "characterized."  In other words, it's not "honorable," it's not "general," it's not "other than honorable."  It has no characterization, at all.  It's the military's way of saying, "we tried you out, and it didn't work out."

It may, or may not affect future employment.  This is up to the people/agency doing the hiring.  Many employers know that the minimum time required for military service is two or more years, and many know that if someone spends less than two years in the military, that means there was a problem.  Some employers may look on it as the same thing as being "fired" from a job, and may ask for an explanation about the circumstances, and other employers may not care, at all.  

It's all up to the employer doing the "hiring."

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


Answer
Hi TTerrell,

The worst type of discharge is a "punitive" discharge, which is imposed by a court-martial, as part of the punishment for committing an offense.  For enlisted personnel, the two types of "punitive" discharges are "Bad Conduct," and "Dishonorable."

Administrative discharges are a different animal.  The basic categories are "honorable," "General," or Other Than Honorable" (There is also an "entry level" separation, which is *possible* for those with 180 days or less of military service.

Of the above categories, "Other Than Honorable" is the worst.  "Honorable" is the best, and "General" is in between.

As I mentioned in my previous response, whether having a "General" discharge will affect future employment depends on the employer.  Some employers place a greate deal on military experience, and other employers don't care, at all.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com