Discharges, A Clarification
From recent inquiries, we realize that there is a bit of confusion about discharge characterizations. Here’s a list of possible characterizations:
- Honorable – This is the best. Everyone wants one of these. Honorable Discharge.
- General, Under Honorable Conditions – Sometimes, this is shortened to “General Discharge.” Other times, you may see it written as “Under Honorable Conditions” or “Under Honorable Conditions (General).”
- Other Than Honorable – This is often referred to by its acronym, OTH.
- Bad-Conduct Discharge – Often referred to by its acronym, BCD. Some people say “Big Chicken Dinner,” in an attempt to be cute.
- Dishonorable Discharge – Usually simplified to “Dishonorable.”
- Uncharacterized (Entry-Level Separation) – This is actually not a characterization. It is occasionally given to new service members during their first 180 days of service.
The following are NOT characterizations of military service:
- Generally Honorable
- Under General Honorable Conditions
- General, Under Other Than Honorable Conditions
- Generally Bad Conduct and Dishonorably Conditioned
- Generally Othered
- Other Than General Conditions
- Uncharacteristically General Conditions
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