Can I still receive my G.I. bill with a general under honorable conditions discharge?

2020-01-24T06:30:26-05:00

I'll keep it short. I might be facing a general under honorable conditions discharge, and I did my whole first contract of 36 months and I'm at 50 months TIS. Even tho I did my whole first contract will I still be eligible for my benefits?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Jan 24 at 2020 6:51 AM

2020-01-24T06:51:27-05:00

Yes. General Under Honorable Conditions is not a bar to ANY VA benefits.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 24 at 2020 7:57 AM

2020-01-24T07:57:14-05:00

Check with VA representative and possibly a lawyer. You specifically need an honorable discharge for GI Bill, but they can tell you if you qualify

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/eligibility-va-benefits-depending-type-military-discharge.html

Eligibility for VA Benefits Depending on Type of Military Discharge

Find out what VA benefits you may be eligible for.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Jan 24 at 2020 12:10 PM

2020-01-24T12:10:23-05:00

Yes

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 2:44 PM

2020-01-24T14:44:24-05:00

Yes, and majority of the time based on the severity of the discharge the VA can change the discharge to honorable discharge

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 3:17 PM

2020-01-24T15:17:05-05:00

I appreciate the responses guys! It helped put me at ease with the whole situation.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jan 24 at 2020 7:00 PM

2020-01-24T19:00:00-05:00

The VA usually considers the completion of your first term of service as qualifying for education benefits. I worked for the VA in Education Programs a few years and there were some soldiers who were paroled from Ft. Leavenworth with bad discharges but were still able to use their benefits. Best of luck.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2021 8:24 AM

2021-02-19T08:24:06-05:00

If you re-enlisted you should be fine. At the time of your re-enlistment you were honorably discharged for that first period of service, and then began a new contract, so you should be vested.

As others have stated, VA will make the final determination.

Response by A1C Bernadette Sava made Feb 11 at 2023 1:25 PM

2023-02-11T13:25:16-05:00

You're eligible for benefits after one year of service. If they are still offering the GI bill, then you would qualify for it.