Should I frame my honorable discharge certificate if I had a general discharge during my second contract?

SPC Michael Lopez — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 18:39:47 -0400

So, I have been curious if I should frame my honorable discharge certificate? I received an honorable discharge from my first contract before reenlisting in the Army, but during my second contract I was general (under honorable conditions) discharged from unfortunate circumstances. I am wondering if I am still worthy enough to frame my first discharge certificate, even though I was technically discharged under general (UHC)?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 6:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 18:46:05 -0400

why not frame and hang both?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 7:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:18:16 -0400

SPC Michael Lopez You earned & was awarded your Honorable Discharge Certificate and should display it if that's what you chose to do. Your second discharge doesn't cancel out your first. IMO...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 7:18 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:18:47 -0400

Both are valid discharges. I’d hang both.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 19 at 2021 7:27 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:27:19 -0400

Personally, I never understood the "I love me wall." That doesn't mean I judge others for having one, I just don't get it. My wife knows every bit of what I did and what I achieved. So does my daughter and my brother. I doubt seriously if anyone who entered my house would bother to look, or understand if they did look.

On the other hand, I learned the hard way; mice greatly prize DD-214's and Promotion certificates for bedding, if you don't lock them up in in rodent proof metal containers. Probably doesn't happen if they are framed and hanging on the wall.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 19 at 2021 7:41 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:41:26 -0400

Gonna be blunt, you know where you are in life and what happened to cause a general discharge. You need to figure you out and get on the road of success in life that fits you. No need to tell people about a gen discharge unless you are looking for encouragement in life and really you are at a point that you need to get on the ball to put something on your wall you are far more prouder than an honorable discharge. I was put in for a less than honorable in 1999, fought it, and commissioned in 2003. Just retired as a major. Shit happens when we are young, what are you doing about it?

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Aug 19 at 2021 9:18 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 21:18:09 -0400

I got a Letter of Concern from the Post Commander at Fort Drum for not following his policy to his exact intent even though I followed it per batim. He claimed I did an End Around Run to accomplish a mission he outlined by policy letter which I followed. A letter of Concern is like a Letter of Reprimand but only stays on file at the post it was issued, not in your permanent record. Supposedly for only one year but that letter was still on file two years later at 10th Mountain HQ. Within 10 days of receiving that letter I did a funeral in Boston, Massachusetts after being selected along with a bugler to present the US flag to the family. Both the Bugler and I did such a good job that it made the local Boston newspaper and several family members as well as local politicians wrote letters of thanks to the Post Commander thanking him for sending such outstanding soldiers to represent the US Army at this WWII POW veterans funeral. So the same Commander who wrote me a Letter of Concern 10 days prior, then wrote me a Letter of Commendation that basically said my shit didn’t stink and I was the best thing since sliced bread was invented. Unfortunately he must have been in a big hurry because it had over 10 spelling errors in it but the Commander signed it as is and forwarded it to my Company Commander for it to be presented to me in formation. Along with several letters from family, friends and politicians. To this day I have both letters framed and hanging on my wall at home next to my family’s photos. Those two letters and a single photo of myself in BDU uniform are all I have hanging on my wall to remember my 27 years of honorable service. I am just saying it is your house you can frame and hang anything you want there. On the other hand don’t be hanging that kind of stuff on the wall at work like some lame people do.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Aug 19 at 2021 10:18 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 22:18:25 -0400

You earned it, if you want to display it, display it. The only person's opinion on it that should count is your's and your's alone.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 20 at 2021 1:10 AM

SPC James Neidig — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 01:10:14 -0400

Frame and Hang Both of Them, They Both Say You Served Honorable Tours, And Be PROUD About Them, Your PRIDE Should Be The Only Thing Counts.

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Aug 20 at 2021 2:26 AM

A1C Chris Pointer — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 02:26:59 -0400

Do it. I plane to frame my general discharge DD214 along with my honorable one

Response by SPC Halle Henderson made Aug 20 at 2021 1:12 PM

SPC Halle Henderson — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 13:12:37 -0400

I framed mine with my dog tags

Response by Kristen Cook made Aug 22 at 2021 12:39 PM

Kristen Cook — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 12:39:21 -0400

Of course, unless you did something so horrible that you know isn't USA military worthy! Your honorable discharge out weighs any mistake you may have made! May I ask if you have CPTSD and if so did it have impact on what u did? Thanks for your service go buy a frame