Posted on Dec 10, 2019
PVT Supply Clerk/ Armorer
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Responses: 16
MSG Logistics Analyst
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My only wish is that young people like yourself would think about the possible ramifications BEFORE doing whatever it is that you do to receive this type of discharge. Man i wish you luck, but this sounds like it needs to be addressed with your legal team. They would definitely be able to provide you a clearer picture of what your future may hold. I know it will be tougher than if you would have just done the right thing and gotten an honorable discharge, but not impossible.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Have you spoken with Legal yet? You are afforded an opportunity to seek Legal when getting Chaptered.
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PFC Supply Clerk/ Armorer
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If I’m not mistaken, the worst part about a general discharge is no college. That is an opinion though. Google is a powerful tool. There’s a chart out there that shows what kind of benefits you are still eligible for with each discharge. Good Luck!
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SSG Lyle O'Rorke
SSG Lyle O'Rorke
6 y
General all depends on the rest of the characterization. Under honorable your GI Bill and post 9-11 are still good.
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SSG Lyle O'Rorke
SSG Lyle O'Rorke
6 y
SSG Lyle O'Rorke well I guess depending on situation. I know my wife took a general under honorable ch 13.
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David Oconner
David Oconner
6 y
Coul you stil re enlist at a later date with that discharge
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Getting a chapter 14-12C (Gen under Honorable). How screwed am I?
SrA Rick Tarango
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I received a General Under Honorable Discharge during my second enlistment in the mid 80's due to DUI's. Excelled at my job but sucked in my personal life. Long time ago, different person. Been sober for over 30 years now. My GUH discharge has affected my life zero! I have held contract jobs with companies working for DOD that required secret clearances . No problem. My training in the AF has supplied my income all my life post discharge. Only one employer has asked about my discharge and that was in the 80's. I have bought 2 homes using my benefits with out issue. In my time we had VEEP not the GI bill so I don't know how education is affected. Life goes on.
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MSgt Michael Smith
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Its pretty serious. No VA benefits with a general discharge. That is HUGE and will be even more important in the long term. Your changes of getting a security clearance in the civilian world just went down the toilet as well, so you will never work any kind of government job. In fact any real job application you ever fill out will ask you about your military service and what kind of discharge you received and you will have to explain why it wasn't honorable. On a brighter note though, you are not entirely fucked. In a few years you can apply for a review and upgrade. I suggest you seriously try to make that happen, unless you like menial labor jobs.
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SSG Lyle O'Rorke
SSG Lyle O'Rorke
6 y
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MSgt Michael Smith
MSgt Michael Smith
6 y
SSG Lyle O'Rorke - You are correct sir! I was in error.
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MSG Gary Eckert
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Under characterization of service your DD Form 214 will read Under Honorable Conditions (General) so when asked if you received an Honorable Discharge you must answer no. Most people shorten this Discharge to General when talking about it. I don't think this has much effect on your VA benefits; however, there are significant other benefits available for those that receive an Honorable Discharge. More significant will be the Reason for Discharge and your SPD code. They will reflect that your were separated for Misconduct (serious offense). The items only show up on the "long" copies of your DD Form 214 but the underlying offense still exists. You should start planning how you are going to answer the hiring manager's question about why you didn't complete your initial enlistment.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
6 y
You are in the USAR yes? 94 HSP CBT SPT (248B)(CORPS) out of Seagoville, TX?
Your best bet is to seek office visit with Trial defense services, but no idea where the closest one is to you.
14-12c is given for a verity of reasons, second drug offence , one single serious misconduct charge which could be anything from return from AWOL to stealing, drugs, crashing your HMMWV willfully and negligently causing injury.

End of the day, your discharge (DD214) will follow you, many employer's will be wanting your employment history, you either claim a gap of unemployment (lying) or you state military service, some of those employer's will want a DD214 ....then its up to you to convince them what the paper says is not you...No idea if it is or not, or if you can do anything about it....thats an individual thing and will be a specific individual choice of the employer. Some will take that DD214 at face value and send you down the road, some may offer an opportunity to explain it.

What ever you did to earn the 14-12c .........leave it behind you.
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SGT Robert Pryor
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As a former Veterans Service Representative with San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs (California), I can assure you that most of the responses with regards to veterans benefits in this thread are incorrect. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, your local County Veterans Service Office, or a Veterans Service Organization (VFW. The American Legion, Amvets, DAV, etc.) for the most up to date information. A General Discharge under Honorable Conditions is not a bar to VA benefits. In fact, while an Undesirable Discharge under less than honorable conditions is usually a bar to benefits, the VA will make a determination on a case by case basis as to whether sch a discharge is in fact a bar to benefits. VA may indeed grant benefits to a veteran with an UD. Waivers are frequently granted when the veteran served in combat, especially when WIA, if the VA feels that the behavior that resulted in the UD can somehow be shown to be related to PTSD as a result of combat service. With a proven combat TBI the VA almost always grants the waiver. Now as for how the military is going to treat you, the advice to contact your legal team is spot on, but know this, if you want to find out about veterans benefits NEVER ask the military -- not even your legal team. DOD is not the department that administers those programs. It is the Department of Veterans Affairs so get the straight facts the the horse's mouth -- VA. Then there is the whole issue of state veterans benefits. For example, here in Texas a UD is not a bar to disabled veterans' property tax exemption, as long as the veteran can submit a recent VA letter certifying their qualifying service connected disability rating. Check the state laws where you intend to live.
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SPC Stewart Smith
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Edited 6 y ago
It's not a dishonorable discharge. You will still be able to collect VA benefits. How "screwed" are you? Entirely "screwed" with a negative attitude; not "screwed" at all with a positive attitude. This sounds like a 'circle jerk' response, but it isn't. You need to think about the positives. Complete a degree program, get a job, learn from your actions and bring them through to your civilian life. LEARN from your actions. Understand that the army wasn't there to punish you and learn what you can do to prevent the same type of civilian punishment.
"Punishment" on the civilian side is typically worse and you'll find yourself struggling to keep a job. You gotta stay positive. Learn from your experiences. Understand that people aren't out to get you. Do the best you can wherever you go.

EDIT: I just looked it up and it looks like you will not be able to receive GI Bill benefits, but in some situations you will be able to.
"While recipients of a General Discharge will receive entitlement to benefits such as VA medical and dental services, VA home loans and burial in national cemeteries, they will not receive educational benefits under either the Montgomery or Post-9/11 GI Bill."
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Sgt Dale Briggs
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If I’m a prospective employer I’m asking some questions.
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Sgt Dale Briggs
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Depends on your potential employer, and the circumstances. Either way it leads to questions and it’s certainly not a plus.
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