What is a military discharge certificate?
The DD Form 214 is a complete and thorough document that verifies a service member’s proof of military service. This Certificate of Release or Discharge form is issued through the Department of Defense and is typically issued at the final out processing appointment prior to retirement or separation.
How do I get my discharge papers from the military?
How can I get a copy of my military discharge papers? You may request a free, official copy of your military discharge papers (DD214) by going to this website and submitting a request: https://www.archives.gov/veterans.
What are the 5 types of military discharges?
In general, there are five different types of discharges from the Army: Honorable; General, Under Honorable Conditions; Under Other than Honorable Conditions; Bad Conduct; and Dishonorable.
What is my military discharge status?
Your discharge status appears on the separation documents that you received when you left the service. If you can’t locate these documents, you can request that they be provided to you by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
What is the discharge form from the military called?
DD Form 214
The report of separation form issued in most recent years is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
What are discharge papers?
When an individual separates from military service, they receive a DD 214 (military separation form). The military service organizations strongly suggest recording the form to ensure easy availability of a certified copy of this document if the original were to become lost or destroyed.
Are military discharge papers public record?
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.
Are you a veteran if you were discharged in basic training?
If a member of the armed forces was discharged during basic training for medical reasons, they are still considered a veteran for Federal student aid purposes so long as they served at least one day before being discharged.
Does a general discharge become honorable?
General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions
General discharge means that you met the requirements of service, likely with some minor disciplinary actions, or failure to meet certain standards. However, overall, your military performance was considered satisfactory.
Is a general discharge considered honorable?
There are three main categories: Honorable Discharge. This means that the service member met or exceeded the conduct and performance standards of the military. General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions.
Why would someone get a general discharge?
General discharges are given to service members whose performance is satisfactory but is marked by a considerable departure in duty performance and conduct expected of military members.
What VA benefits do I qualify for with a honorable discharge?
While a discharge under honorable conditions may not be what a veteran wants on his or her resume, it qualifies for VA health care, TRICARE’s Continued Health Care Benefit Program (military health insurance), VA disability compensation, VA pension, VA home loans, and all other veterans benefits except for educational …
Do you lose your GI Bill if you get general discharge?
The GI Bill has special eligibility requirements. For the GI Bill, your DD-214 has to actually say “Honorable.” A General discharge isn’t enough, and unlike all other VA benefits, you cannot become eligible for the GI Bill through a successful Character of Discharge decision.
Are you considered a veteran if you have an other than honorable discharge?
But for certain benefit programs, current law defines a veteran as anyone (1) with an OTH discharge and a qualifying condition (i.e., a diagnosis of PTSD or traumatic brain injury or a disclosed military sexual trauma) or (2) discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the …
How long do you have to be in the military to be a veteran?
Now, under the new law, anyone eligible for reserve component retirement benefits is considered a veteran, said Krenz. “Anyone who has reached 20 years of service, even if they were never activated on a [federal] order for more than 180 days outside of training, will now be considered a veteran,” he said.
Is other than honorable discharge the same as dishonorable?
Other Than Honorable (OTH)
Generally, in order to receive VA benefits and services, the veteran’s character of discharge or service must be under “other than dishonorable” conditions (i.e., honorable, under honorable conditions, or general) as stated by law (Title 38, United States Code).