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Why is a discharge “other than honorable?”

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2025 | MILITARY LAW - Military Law

There are three main types of discharges from the military. The first is an honorable discharge, such as when someone voluntarily retires after serving their term in the military. There’s no issue with their record.

However, other individuals may face a dishonorable discharge or an other than honorable (OTH) discharge. What does the OTH discharge mean in this context, and what impact can it have on their future?

Misdemeanor offenses

Essentially, if a person in the military commits an offense that, if they were a civilian, would be classified as a misdemeanor, they may receive an other than honorable discharge.

For instance, perhaps the military member was found using illegal drugs while employed by the military. If it was a simple possession case, this may just be a misdemeanor under state law, so an OTH discharge may be used.

Another example could be fighting between military members. In the civilian world, threats or physical violence against another person often constitute simple assault charges. If that happens while someone is in the military, they could be discharged with the OTH designation.

The potential impact

Many government benefits given to veterans are connected to the type of discharge they receive. Someone who otherwise would’ve been eligible for substantial benefits could lose that if they have the OTH designation. Additionally, this will go on their record, so it may even be difficult for them to find employment in the civilian world if a prospective employer runs a background check.

There are steps you can take if you’ve been given an other than honorable discharge, and it is sometimes possible to adjust it so that you have an honorable discharge that won’t have the same impact on your future. Just be sure you know what legal steps to take.