How to Get Out of the U.S. Military

The government has every intention of holding you to your signed contract and oath to serve a specified length of time. Unlike most jobs, quitting the military is not an easy or often viable option. However, all things must eventually come to an end. Here is how you and the military can potentially part company.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Meet the standards of conduct and performance and get an "Honorable Discharge." The commanding official will characterize your service as honorable and you will separate from service. In addition to completing your contractual obligations, you may receive this discharge due to a medical or psychological condition. Under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, a you may also receive an honorable discharge if you are homosexual. You are now considered a veteran and eligible for all benefits.
2. Get a "General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions)." You did not meet the standards of conduct and performance. The overall character of service was good with just a few episodes of bad conduct that were not egregious enough to warrant further punitive action. You are eligible for some veterans' benefits.
3. Take an "Other Than Honorable Discharge." You did not meet the standards of conduct and performance. There was dishonorable and possibly criminal behavior. You do not receive veterans' benefits.
4. Be discharged due to an inability to adjust to the social, mental and physical demands of military life within the first 180 days of active duty. This is Entry Level Separation. This is a particular service characterization that is not honorable, general or dishonorable. You do not receive veterans' benefits.
5. Volunteer for "Voluntary Discharge." You may request separation for many reason including family hardship, pregnancy, sole surviving son/daughter, pursue an education, conscientious objection and release to inactive reserve status. Each of these requests has specific conditions and a process for determination. There is no guarantee that voluntary requests will be approved. You are not eligible for veterans' benefits.
6. Get a "Bad Conduct & Dishonorable Discharge." You did not meet standards of conduct and performance. Criminal behavior resulted in a special or general court-martial and further punitive actions. You would not only be ineligible for benefits but may also lose rights accorded to other citizens such as voting and bearing of firearms. You may also have to disclose these statuses on job and school applications as well as other important documents.

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