Dd form 293 2026

The U.S. military has six main discharge types, often grouped into five key categories for their impact: Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable (DD), with a sixth being Uncharacterized/Entry Level Separation (ELS). Honorable is the highest, while BCD and Dishonorable are punitive court-martial outcomes, severely limiting benefits, whereas OTH is for DocHub misconduct, and General reflects satisfactory but not exemplary service, all with varying degrees of benefit access. Here are the common characterizations of military discharge: Honorable Discharge: The highest level, indicating meeting or exceeding military standards, granting full veterans benefits and eligibility for reenlistment. General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions): For satisfactory service with minor performance/conduct issues; grants most benefits but can affect GI Bill eligibility and reenlistment. Other Than Honorable (OTH): Issued for serious misconduct, DocHubly limiting benefits and future employment, though sometimes appealable. Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD): A punitive discharge from a court-martial, resulting in DocHub loss of benefits. Dishonorable Discharge (DD): The most severe punitive discharge from a court-martial, forfeiting most benefits and affecting rights like voting. Uncharacterized/Entry Level Separation (ELS): For very short service (e.g., less than 180 days) or performance issues early in service, not reflecting on overall conduct. For legal advice, consult a professional. VETS USERRA FACT SHEET 3 Frequently Asked QuestionsThe Department of Defense (DoD) authorizes six characterizations of service for military service members to receive on discharge: U.S. Department of Labor (.gov)Types of Military Discharges and How to Appeal Them1. Honorable Discharge. This is the highest and most desirable discharge type. It means you met or exceeded military standards of Cave Freeburg, LLP

If you have a discharge that isnt honorable, you can apply for a discharge upgrade. Or you can request a correction to change incorrect information on your discharge paperwork.

Medical discharges take place when a service member becomes ill or is injured during their military service and are now unable to perform the duties required of a productive member of the military. These separations are based on a medical evaluation.May 5, 2025