What are the drawbacks to an other than honorable discharge?

Hello,

Thank you for your post, however, something isn't adding up. If someone receives a hardship discharge, then they would not receive an OTH as the discharge would not be for misconduct but for convenience of the government/hardship. The only exception would be if they have a history of misconduct or have been found guilty of serious misconduct at NJP or court-martial. So, something in the facts are matching reality.

But, to answer your main question. If a servicemember receives an OTH, then they will not be eligible (for that enlistment for which they received the OTH) for GI Bill benefits. If they had a prior enlistment that ended in an Honorable, then they could receive GI bill benefits for that one.

As for medical care through the VA, then VA makes the final decisions on that, and they approve some applications from servicemembers who have received an OTH and deny others. It is on a case by case basis. As for work, if the servicemember is applying for a job that is either with the Government or requires a security clearance, then they will have difficulty because of an OTH. On the other hand, most civilian jobs that don't require special background checks, don't care or even check the type of discharge a servicemember receives.

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