How long does it take to get an honorable discharge?
A general discharge can be completed in as little as 30 days but could take up to six months. Separation from the military can take longer than six months. It's vital that you don't procrastinate on starting the process. Separation starts with getting command approval.
To receive an honorable discharge, a service member must have received a rating from good to excellent for their 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.
Other Than Honorable (OTH) Discharge
Examples of situations that might result in an OTH discharge include security violations, serious misconduct that endangers other members of the military, or use of deliberate force to seriously hurt another person.
Honorable: 78.29 percent. General – Under Honorable Conditions: 6.36 percent. Under Other Than Honorable Conditions: 2.09 percent. Bad Conduct: 0.49 percent.
Applying to the Discharge Review Board (DRB)
You must apply for a discharge upgrade within 15 years of the date of your discharge-no exceptions to this time limit. Complete DD Form 293 and mail to the appropriate address for your branch of service.
- Conscientious Objector Discharge.
- Early Release for Education.
- Military Hardship Discharges.
- Convenience of the Government.
- Military Service Commitments.
Service members stand in a formation. Veterans can already appeal the status of their discharge by having their own military service's discharge review board, or DRB, reconsider the discharge status. Following that, they can also appeal to their service's Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records, or BCM/NR.
To receive VA home loan benefits and services, the Veteran's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). Generally, there is no character of discharge bar to benefits to Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
Involuntary Separation Pay
This is a one-time, lump sum payment. There are two levels of Involuntary Separation Pay: full and half. Full Involuntary Separation Pay can only be paid to veterans who have an honorable discharge. It is calculated by multiplying monthly base pay x 12 x 10% x years of service.
An honorable discharge can provide veterans with valuable assistance as they transition from military service to civilian life. This includes access to VA healthcare, VA disability compensation, job search resources, and educational opportunities.
Are you considered a veteran after honorable discharge?
The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
There are several types of discharges that can keep you from re-enlisting in the service, including a bad conduct discharge, an "other than honorable discharge" and a dishonorable discharge. On the other hand, if you received a general or honorable discharge, you may qualify for re-enlistment.
LAWRENCE: Well, most everyone you know gets out of the military has an honorable discharge. That's the most common one. Then there are general discharges for things like a medical condition condition. But then below that, there are these so-called bad discharges.
The military discharges are recorded without charge and copies are issued without charge as a service to our veterans. Unlike all other records contained in the Register of Deeds Office military discharge documents are considered a public record with restricted access unless they have been on file for 50 years or more.
Some Veterans feel guilt or remorse because of something that happened in their military experience, such as an injury to a buddy in their unit, friendly fire, or civilian deaths. Other Veterans may feel guilt because of events that happened outside of the military. Veterans may also experience survivor guilt.
In either case, it's often difficult to obtain a military discharge upgrade – the information here may help your case, and many veterans find it's worthwhile to partner with an experienced and knowledgeable VA attorney to help guide them through this process.
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ...
- Write a letter to the NPRC. ...
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
- Hire an independent researcher.
$3,500.00 flat-fee for a written petition with exhibits. $6,000.00 flat-fee should your case require a hearing (all costs, including attorney travel fees, are included)
For Reserve Service members, 6 years of continuous AD/AS must have preceded immediately before separation. The Service member's separation is characterized as “honorable” or “general (under honorable conditions)”and none of the conditions listed below under “Limitations on ISP Eligibility” apply.
VA Disability Compensation Benefits
If you have an honorable discharge, you may be eligible for up to 100% VA disability compensation, depending on the nature and severity of your disabilities. This is worth up to $3,621.95 per month in 2023 for a veteran with zero dependents.
Can you get VA benefits without an honorable discharge?
Discharge Requirements for Pension Benefits
To receive VA pension benefits and services, the Veteran's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general).
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ...
- Write a letter to the NPRC. ...
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
(d) A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
Under current law, a “veteran” is any person honorably discharged, or released under honorable conditions, from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
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.