An order of a superior or military court decides the term of service is over;
The conflict is finished and the military unit is being released from active duty.
Being passed up twice in a row for promotion when eligible, though this varies by branch of service;
Certain other circumstances, including (in some countries) homosexuality, though in the United States this was replaced by the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in 1993.
A medical discharge is given when the service member has a medical condition that makes them unfit for military service. This may be an injury sustained in combat.
A less than honorable discharge refers to a discharge that occurs under other than honorable conditions. This can be due to generally improper conduct, conviction of a crime either in a military court martial or a civilian court, or some other inappropriate action on the part of a soldier or someone associated with that soldier.
The United States military subdivides less-than-honorable discharges into four categories, in increasing order of severity:
general discharge;
undesirable discharge;
bad conduct discharge; and
dishonorable discharge.
Undesirable discharges or worse typically disqualify the soldier from receiving veterans' benefits, and any less-than-honorable discharge — even a general discharge — usually renders the discharged soldier ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits, because such a discharge is considered tantamount to having been "fired" from the most recently-held job.
In addition, those given dishonorable discharges may permanently forfeit certain citizenship rights, including the right to legally possess a firearm (under the federal Gun Control Act passed in 1968), and the right to vote in some states.
U.S. Airforce. Involuntary Discharges (http://public.grandforks.amc.af.mil/legal/justice/discharg.htm). Grand Forks Air Force Base Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Retrieved January 8, 2004.
U.S. Army (1985). Instruction in Benefits of an Honorable Discharge (http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r350_21.pdf). Retrieved January 8, 2004.
U.S. Marines. Frequently Asked Questions (https://lnweb1.manpower.usmc.mil/manpower/mi/mra_ofct.nsf/mmsr/Separations-FAQs). Manpower and Reserve Affairs Personnel Management Division. Retrieved January 8, 2004.
However, generaldischarge under honorable conditions precludes participation in the GI Bill, service on veteran's commissions, and other programs where honorable discharge is required.
After a discharge, the service member (or his next-of-kin, if deceased) can appeal the type of discharge that was given.
Discharges occurring at the end of a term of service are almost never referred to as "administrative separations." In normal military parlance, an "administrative separation" is when an individual is being involuntarily released from service, either for misconduct or medical disability.
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.
Other than honorable discharges are usually only issued in cases where an individual is being discharged as a result of a particular infraction that would otherwise warrant punitive action and discharge (for example, drug use).
The discharge rumor is believed to have stemmed from an incident in which he was brought before a board of inquiry after leaving a disabled truck he was responsible for in order to search for food and water.
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