While colloquially referred to as "quitting," the formal and accurate terms for leaving the U.S. Army or any branch of the military service are discharge or separation. This process involves official documentation and can happen for various reasons, including the completion of service, medical conditions, or disciplinary actions.
Understanding Military Discharge and Separation
Military service is a commitment, and exiting it is a formal procedure, not simply "quitting." The specific term used depends on the circumstances and the duration of service.
Common Ways to Leave the Service
Service members can depart through several formal processes:
- Discharge: This is the most common way to separate from military service before qualifying for retirement. It can occur at the end of an enlistment contract, due to medical reasons, or for disciplinary issues.
- Retirement: For those who complete a sufficient number of years of service (typically 20 or more), they are eligible for retirement benefits and are formally "retired" from military service.
- Resignation: Commissioned officers may, under certain circumstances, submit a formal resignation, which, if accepted, leads to separation from service.
Types of Military Discharges
The nature of a service member's departure is formally documented by the type of discharge received, which has significant implications for post-service benefits and opportunities.
The vast majority of service members exit their service with an honorable discharge. This highly regarded designation signifies that they performed their assigned duties in a diligent and competent manner, adhered to military regulations, and upheld the law throughout their service. An honorable discharge reflects positively on the individual's time in uniform and is crucial for accessing veteran benefits.
Other types of discharges, depending on the circumstances of a service member's departure, include:
| Discharge Type | Description | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Honorable Discharge | Service member performed duties competently, diligently, followed rules, and obeyed the law. | Full access to veterans' benefits and generally viewed positively by employers. |
| General Discharge | Service was satisfactory, but performance or conduct wasn't perfect; often due to minor misconduct or failure to meet standards. | May retain most veterans' benefits, but eligibility for some might be impacted. |
| Other Than Honorable | Significant departure from military standards, such as misconduct, unauthorized absence, or serious violations of regulations. | Most federal veteran benefits are usually forfeited. Can negatively impact employment opportunities. |
| Bad Conduct Discharge | Issued by a special or general court-martial, typically for serious offenses, but not necessarily felony-level. | Loss of most or all veteran benefits. Significant social and employment stigma. |
| Dishonorable Discharge | Issued only by general court-martial for the most serious offenses, often equivalent to a civilian felony conviction. | Complete forfeiture of all veteran benefits, including VA health care and education. Legal disabilities apply. |
For more detailed information on the various types of military discharges and their implications, you can refer to resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
[[Military Separation]]
