The grade of discharge is important because it can affect a person s veterans benefits. As a general rule, Honorable and General Discharges qualify a veteran for most benefits while Dishonorable Discharges disqualify him or her. In some cases, even veterans who leave the military with Honorable Discharges for certain reasons lose these benefits. This has been a problem for large numbers of veterans discharged in the past decade. After applying to the Veterans Administration to receive their benefits, many discover that they have been determined disqualified.
Discharges also affect post-service employment.
For example, veterans receiving bad discharges have encountered employment problems, as some employers ask to see a copy of the DD214. What happens to you in the military can have lifelong effects, especially when you consider a discharge s impact on post-service opportunities, such as educational and other veterans benefits and job prospects. Please send it in.