Military Discharge

[IHaveTooManyWs]

Hey guys, I am in a bit of a pickle. I am currently being discharged from the National Guard (less than 180 days). Is this going to drastically impact my application? I would hate for my whole medical career to be ruined because of a dumb military mistake. The last thing I want is for my app to be sunk. Is it true that the only discharges that impact your app negatively are OTH and BCD? Since I haven't even been to boot-camp, do I even have to disclose my "service" when applying?

any responses are greatly appreciated.

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[BombsAway]

are you getting an honorable discharge?

 

[IHaveTooManyWs]

are you getting an honorable discharge?

It's within 180 days so it might be an entry level separation. I doubt (highly) that it'll be honorable.

 

[BombsAway]

It's within 180 days so it might be an entry level separation. I doubt (highly) that it'll be honorable.

There's a section on the AMCAS application that asks if you've served in the military, and your type of discharge. In your case, i'd need have to see the paperwork to better advise. I think those short term discharges are their own special case. Like, the kids who get kicked out of basic aren't screwed for life. You haven't even been to basic so I can't imagine you're getting an official dishonorable.

 

[workaholic181]

Hey guys, I am in a bit of a pickle. I am currently being discharged from the National Guard (less than 180 days). Is this going to drastically impact my application? I would hate for my whole medical career to be ruined because of a dumb military mistake. The last thing I want is for my app to be sunk. Is it true that the only discharges that impact your app negatively are OTH and BCD? Since I haven't even been to boot-camp, do I even have to disclose my "service" when applying?

any responses are greatly appreciated.

I'd try to talk to someone ASAP who can get you more info. I'd be shocked if this is dishonorable (is it a medical PDQ?) given the amount of time you were in. I really doubt it will negatively hurt your chances, just be sure you get told by someone specifically what is happening, why, and what to call it on apps.

 

[dpmd]

Depends on the reason for the separation. If you had a mental health breakdown that resulted in the separation that would be different than if you were found to have fraudulently enlisted which would be different than if you decided you didn't actually want to serve and got your unit to agree to the separation. I don't think that it is accurate that it is like you never served and doesn't have to be disclosed though. It would certainly show up in a search of military records so if at any point that is searched as part of a background check there would then be a discrepancy. That would likely hurt you way more than just being honest would (as is the case for most issues that people worry about putting on their applications-getting caught in a lie is bad)

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Depends on the reason for the separation. If you had a mental health breakdown that resulted in the separation that would be different than if you were found to have fraudulently enlisted which would be different than if you decided you didn't actually want to serve and got your unit to agree to the separation. I don't think that it is accurate that it is like you never served and doesn't have to be disclosed though. It would certainly show up in a search of military records so if at any point that is searched as part of a background check there would then be a discrepancy. That would likely hurt you way more than just being honest would (as is the case for most issues that people worry about putting on their applications-getting caught in a lie is bad)

I double checked with my friend who is in admin. Entry level separation (also called an admin sep sometimes in the Navy) is considered as if you never served in the military wrt benefits only. You still have to list your service; however, if you receive an entry level separation, it is an uncharacterized discharge—it is not honorable or other than honorable, and therefore if the question asks if you have been discharged under less than honorable or other than honorable conditions, you can check no, since an ELS is not the same thing. You simply weren’t in long enough for the commander to characterize your service.

Now if it asks you were discharged and received anything other than honorable, you’ll have to check yes. It just depends on what they ask.

 

[dpmd]

I double checked with my friend who is in admin. Entry level separation (also called an admin sep sometimes in the Navy) is considered as if you never served in the military wrt benefits only. You still have to list your service; however, if you receive an entry level separation, it is an uncharacterized discharge—it is not honorable or other than honorable, and therefore if the question asks if you have been discharged under less than honorable or other than honorable conditions, you can check no, since an ELS is not the same thing. You simply weren’t in long enough for the commander to characterize your service.

Now if it asks you were discharged and received anything other than honorable, you’ll have to check yes. It just depends on what they ask.

Oh, yeah. Definitely no benefits and I would also not expect someone with that sort of separation to refer to themselves as a veteran for any social benefit either. It is just kinda like criminal records that have been expunged and questions along they way that ask about ANY arrest or conviction where some people think they don't have to list it but depending on the background check it might show up and then get them kicked out for lying.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Oh, yeah. Definitely no benefits and I would also not expect someone with that sort of separation to refer to themselves as a veteran for any social benefit either. It is just kinda like criminal records that have been expunged and questions along they way that ask about ANY arrest or conviction where some people think they don't have to list it but depending on the background check it might show up and then get them kicked out for lying.

Per the USC, you aren’t a veteran unless you’ve served in active status outside of training and received a discharge other than dishonorable. So getting the boot in basic doesn’t count.

 

[BombsAway]

Per the USC, you aren’t a veteran unless you’ve served in active status outside of training and received a discharge other than dishonorable. So getting the boot in basic doesn’t count.

you should inform the facebook warriors

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

you should inform the facebook warriors

I did when I had Facebook. No offense to anyone who volunteered and couldn't serve because of an injury or whatever, but as someone put it on RallyPoint, basic/bootcamp is like the tryouts for a sports team. If you don't make the cut for whatever reason, you're not a player. If you can't make it out of training, you're not a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine, and hence you're not a vet when you get out. *shrug*