Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-22
Veterans Guide
By Maj. Thomas M. Mol

by MAJ. HomoS ~. Ntut
What trouble a veteran gets
into with police or other author
tiles has little effect on his right
to veterans benefits.
In only one instance will con-
viction of civil crime after
discharge take away the benefits
he might have. That's if he's
convicted of aiding and assisting
the enemy.
Otherwise, his right to the
benefits basically depends on the
conditions under which he has
given separation or discharge
papers from his military service.
COT course, to be eligible for
many of the benefits there are
other requirements, but the first
requirement for all of them is
a discharge under which a vet
would be eligible if he met the
other requirements.)
Five Types Of Discharge.
Under service regulations
which have applied to all men
getting out of service since 1949,
serviceman could have received
five different types of separation
or discharge papers. Along with
the conditions under which they
are given. they are:
l. Honorable separation GER
tiflcate-gWen under honorable
conditions by administrative
action. This is earned for honest
and faithful service.
2. General discharge given
under honorable conditions by
administrative action. This is
earned by service that is ade-
quate but not up to the standard
required for an honorable
certificate.
8. Undesirable d is charge-
given under conditions other
than honorable by administrative
action. This is given to certain
types of offenders, in some cases
of fraudulent enlistment and to
men convicted by a civil court
of a criminal offense which
would make a man unit for
military service.
4. Bad conduct discharge
given under conditions other
than honorable by sentence of a
general, special or summary
court martial. Generally, it's
given for such offenses as drunk
on guard duty. theft of property
worth at least $50, drunk driving.
S. Dishonorable discharge
given under dishonorable condi-
tions by sentence of a general
court martial. Generally, it's
given after conviction for such
crimes as murder. rape. arson.
larceny, wilful disobedience of
the order of an officer, desertion,
spying. mutiny and treason.
Up to VA to Decide.
If q vet has been given an
honorable or a general discharge.
he's automatically qualified for
vets benefits.
If a vet has been given, an
undesirable or q bad conduct
discharge he may or may not be
qualified. Each case is decided
by the Veterans Administration
or other agency handling the
benefits on the basis Of the
actual circumstances which lead
to a vet getting such a discharge.
For example, If the discharge
was given because of q convic-
ton by a civil court for Q
criminal offense, for being q
homosexal, or at the request Of
the individual to avoid q court
martial. the Veterans Admins
tration usually denies the vet
any benefits. IF such q discharge
was given as a result of q SEN
tence of a general court martial.
he's automatically barred from
vets benefits.
If q vet has been given q dis
honorable discharge, he's auto
matically deprived Of all vets
benefits.
The services are aware Of the
possibility that unfairness might
occur In connection with q dis
charge. So, each service has q
discharge review board where.
upon submission of affidayits
showing unfairness. q more
desirable discharge could be
issued after the facts are heard.
(You may iprite Maj. Mai
Tn care of The Star about
your serpice-connected prob
lem. Please inclose stamped,
selt-addressed envelope and 20
cents In conn.,
Qrom AP Newsfeatures.)