A service member's type of discharge is usually carried with him or her for life. Employers will often look unfavorably on those who have received so much as a general discharge, especially if it was under other than honorable conditions. Some states, however, prohibit discrimination based on military discharge. Such laws do not prohibit denial of a job due to a criminal conviction, which accompanies punitive separations. You should really check with your own state to determine eligibility.
Keep in mind that companies that hold government contracts often require their employees to be eligibile for various degrees of security clearance. You may or may not be qualified to receive a clearance level due to an other than honorable discharge. Furthermore, with the tough competition for all government positions, you may find it very difficult to secure any government position with a dishonorable discharge. You might find it is easier to look for employment within the private sector, where you are not required to include your military service discharge information on your resume. Keep in mind that a federal application requires that you disclose your military background and discharge conditions and of course, it is an offense to lie on a federal employment application.
Less than honorable discharges can also be stigmatizing in civilian life, particularly leading to discrimination in employment. Government and large corporate employers routinely ask job applicants for their military discharge status; some even ask to see military discharge papers. However, there are also many employers who do not care about military discharge status. Even where employers ask for military service, sometimes it is mainly for statistical purposes of the number of veterans hired.
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do u know where to look for alabama state laws regarding this matter?
ReplyDeleteI graduate from college in May with my bachelor's degree. This is still going to follow me around no matter what right?
ReplyDeleteMost places won't bother checking military. I got on after a brutal 4 month background check and evaluation with a prominent credit bureau. I didn't bother listing military service. course I luckly have been out about 10 years now.
ReplyDeleteYea most private companies don't bother or care bout military service. Just say no on the form. Unless you want to use it for experience.
ReplyDeleteI even told people I was in military after saying no on the application. No one cares!
Does state highway patrol (CHP) count as government? I am currently in the process of becoming a CHP officer and my panel interview is coming up, I was just wondering if I should stop now before I look like an a** in front of these state officials.
DeleteThat's right. No one cares. I got an OTH, went to college afterwards (with federal loans), eventually got a PhD in science and now work for a biotechnology company as a research director. The lesson here? Just get your life together, do whatever you want to do with it and learn from your mistakes. Don't let an OTH keep you down, it will not ruin your life (unless you want to be a cop, or hold a federal position).
ReplyDeletei am employed at ups after an oth discharge, ups did not care
ReplyDeleteI got out of the Marine Corps about 2 1/2 years ago with a passion for law enforcement and even though I wasn't able to be a police officer I had other options. With my combat experience I was able to use that to become a State Licensed Fugitive Recovery Agent and have been able to do a LOT of good in and around my community and its quite profitable. Just never give up. There are ALWAYS opportunities, you just have to get creative and USE what you are good.
ReplyDeleteare you able to be a police officer with OTHER than honorable status?
ReplyDeleteYes. U can be a police officer with an OTH.But off set it with a bachlr degree.
Deletelooking for advise on how to get a job with a oth.... it was fr spanking my child in public.... somebody called dhil abuse..... they dropped all charges and gave me a oth.... how hard is it get back on your feet.... i have 4 children to support and need to find work.. any advise would be helpful
ReplyDeleteI want to go to work with the railroad it says they can check your military background can they find out if I have an OTH?
ReplyDeleteI got an OTH and had a couple different jobs on the same base that issued the OTH, so don't worry. I also have VA health benefits and used the GI Bill to attend Harvard University. Just keep applying and trying. Good luck and THANK YOU for your service.
ReplyDeletehow many years did you serve? You must have been in for long enough to be able to use your GI Bills?
DeleteMy son is getting an oth and was told he can get a government job and it wont be on his record but that he loses his gi bill. Im so confused! Will he be able to apply for financial aid? He made a few bad choices while drinking, nothing criminal just disrespectful but was stripped of his rank and in the process of getting kicked out. His EAS is June, 2013.... Very sad mom :(
DeleteYour son will be OK. I received an Other Than Honorable discharge also, and am currently in college using financial aid. He just has to fill out the FAFSA (financial aid application) like everyone else. I don't get any GI Bill benefits, but it doesn't even matter since financial aid covers all of my expenses. I've had several jobs and none of them have even asked me about my military experience. Basically, the only thing an OTH does is make it so he won't be able to work for the government again. Everything will be fine.
DeleteI also received a OTH but I was in for six years and if you do your original term which for me was 4 years and then reenlist it doesn't matter if u get an OTH u are eligible for post 911 and all the others I know because I currently use post 911 and will be or the next 2 years. Tell ur son to go to school and get his head on straight.
DeleteI got an OTH back in 2003. Since my Military departure I have done fairly well. I finished my bachelors degree. I applied and passed all the test to become a Police officer. I had to write a letter to the department about my discharge. They said they would consider any applicant as lonf as the discharge wasn't DD. I decided to withdraw my application when I found out they make a whopping 33k a year. No thanks!!! Get shot at and harrased by people all the time?? Could have done that in the Army. Be a productive member of society and have a job that supports your community. No need to be a "parasite" collecting a gov't check with free room and board. Don't list your military experience if you think it will hold you back. Also, don't worry about people that look down on you. Who honestly supports the war!!? Soldiers theses days just want to draw a paycheck.
ReplyDeleteI work for the feds. My oth was for drinking when i was 18 years old. I'm recovery and have agreat family.
ReplyDeleteI was in for 2 1/2 years I made the decision like everyone else on here my question is after the oth do u still get to use ur gi bill or is it not an option?
ReplyDeleteYou have to have completed 75% of your enlistment contract in order to use your GI Bill.
ReplyDeleteI've been in the Marine Corps for over 13 years and am getting a OTH, do I still rate my GI bill and or benefits???
ReplyDeleteyes... you will receive all benefits if you re enlisted .. I did 4 years in the army re enlisted and got an oth.. I receive all my post 9/11 benefits and VA medical disability.. the disability compensation takes a long time but if you were clearly hurt or injured before you re enlisted .. you will get compensated .. It also helps to hire an attorney for that part..
DeleteAccording to an email I received from the VA a month ago, you are not eligible for GI bill benefits no matter how long you've been in if your final discharge is OTH
ReplyDeleteThat is not true at all. You have to have at least 1 re-enlistment honorable discharge, no matter what your DD-214 says if you have one of these certificates, say after re-enlisting 4 years is up, then you are eligible for VA Education benefits. Although I have the post 9/11 Gi Bill with an OTH using one of the mentioned certificates i got when renlisted, I am currently denied for VA Health benefits which does not make any sense to me.
Delete^^^ Exactly right, my buddy was just a few months shy of getting out and had been in for over 4 years. He got a general discharge due to "Misconduct" and he still cannot get VA Educational Benefits, but is eligible for VA Health, they are completely opposite from my situation, i got an OTH and I get Post 911 right now but I cannot get VA health, lol. WTF?
DeleteIf you have 36 months of continuous service that is characterized as honorable, then you are eligible for the GI Bill. I have a OTH discharge but am able to use the GI Bill because when I re-enlisted I was technically given an honorable discharge. My benefits were "vested" due to re-enlistment.
ReplyDeleteI have served in the US Marine Corps for over 2 1/2 years. I abused drugs for 4 solid months after I got back from deployment and decided to spare my integrity and confess (plus I finally realized I needed help and I was willing to seek it). However I had no idea that telling the truth would lead to an OTH. I was never caught with possession, distribution, or a drug pop. Bottom line is I am trying to fight this discharge and finish my enlistment. Any advice on the situation? Please let me know..........
ReplyDeleteYour screwed they won't send you to Saco or anything ur just a number been ther done that.. Got a OTH and sent home the Corps is down sizing and u have them a reason for you to leave.. Just got out two months ago.
ReplyDelete0331 5th Marines
I wrote a hypothetical comment about various agencies that can be scouted to see if applying to the agency would be beneficial or in vein. Just to add to that comment that I did apply to those agencies, BP and Fairfax Fire. But I wouldnt really scout to the point of getting ban from applying. Just saying to ur research to see if ur wasting ur time. My friend who is at fairfax just told me that they did not admit to anything on the application. No oth no drugs. I know the individual was both military and on drugs. U know, I think I will just leave the hole mess alone continue on with my plans to globalize and educate myself. And the "using military tactics" thing in my previous comment was a joke. Don't do it, just move on folks.
ReplyDeleteJust curious, how did any of you explain your absence from the work force if you did not include your military time?
ReplyDeleteI dont know if people know this or not, but I also got an OTH after being in for 9 years. I just got my AA in Electronics Engineering And currently working on my Bachelors. All using the Post 911 GI bill. Getting E-5 BAH while going to school is a plus. If you have been HONORABLY discharged in the past, like when you re-enlist, they give you that honorable discharge certificate, you can use that and write a "Notice of Disagreement" And resubmit it with your DD-214 which mine says OTH. The VA Education still counts those other Honorable Discharges and allows you to get your Education benefits. If anyone has any questions about what to do or how to proceed, comment and I will try and respond to help you out. Everyone regardless of discharge status should get benefits I believe. I did not give 9 years of my life to the shitty Navy for nothing and i am going to try and get whatever I can from them.
ReplyDeleteTo second previous posters comments, with an OTH kiss any military benefits goodbye, but yo ucan still fill out the FAFSA and as long as you meet their very liberal requirements, get financial aid to go to college.
ReplyDeleteIf you earn a degree, work your butt off while in school and keep your nose clean, many employers won't see anyone but a young professional with a degree. As long as that's the person you truly are deep inside, I don't see anything wrong with that so long as you are honest if asked anything. This is the approach I had to take to finally get a career track profession going, and it took years of struggle because I waited 5 years after my discharge to even consider going to college.
ok so i am pending admin speration in the marine corps right now for underage drinking disobeying orders and destrusction of gov property....should i just take the OTH and get out or should i try and fight for something better....i mean how hard is it to find a job with a OTH i need advice on what to do
ReplyDeleteI have received an OTH Discharge from the military almost 3 years ago, and am currently getting financial Aid for school, but not threw any bill, threw FAFSA. My OTH was due to a serious offense, I was drinking under age, and assaulted other soldiers that were in my barracks, soldiers fought with each other all the time, this was nothing new. I was a dumb kid, and extremely regret my childish actions as a soldier under the age of 21. However, I have no arrest record, no record at all, I was able to land some jobs at various retail stores, but this is just something I'm doing as side jobs threw school. I eventually want to Teach or be a philosophy professor. I try to be the best i can be everyday, and Love this country like most true Americans do. Will my OTH ruin my dreams to be a philosophy professor, or teacher in general? I realize after I get my batchlor's degree, it would behoove me to file for an upgrade in discharge (dd form 293) However a "serious offense" will still be on my DD form. If i cant be a teacher I will attempt suicide... I'm really stressing out about this, is all hope lost? Should I just kill myself? I've seen stories on here that some people were able to become cops after they got an OTH along with a letter describing their situation, I cant imagine it will be more scrupulous for a teaching position? I either commit suicide or leave this country all together after i get my batchlor's degree and teaching credentials which I don't want to do at all, like i said, this is the land of the free, and I love my people. I'm scared that being a philosophy major is not the best choice for me, but it is the only thing I want to do in life. If I can't go after those dreams it will be the end for me.
ReplyDeleteDont be stupid.... employers arent allowed to ask about your discharge type. It is now illegal to base hiring decisions based on such. GO TO SCHOOL! get a degree and no one will care, just remember to use your DD214 member 4 (i think) its the one that does that does not show your discharge type.
DeleteIn case you need proof, check out the following areas for more info:
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the Veteran's Administration (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL)
The last post is on-point. Get the degrees and not a phukin person on earth can hold your OTH against you....Besides, in the education field (unless you are a professor at MIT), I doubt anybody will care if you served at all. No worries, you seem intelligent. You will make a fine philosopher.
DeleteOn a more serious note....even if your ass falls off and you don't know what to do, don't commit suicide over it. You are still young and have plenty of time to do what you want in life. At least wait till you are in your 40's to decide to kill yourself.
I need to get out, if I go ua for about 28 days then turn myself in, what type of discharge would I receive???
ReplyDeleteCan a truck driver get a military pass on Norfolk base to make delivers with a oth
ReplyDelete