WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE DISCHARGE AND A PUNITIVE DISCHARGE/DISMISSAL?
Commanders can initiate administrative separation actions against military members for a variety of reasons, ranging from criminal misconduct (military or civilian) to failed fitness tests to homosexuality. If a member is administratively separated from the military, that member’s service will be characterized as Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), or Under Other Than Honorable Conditions. The characterization that a member receives will largely be based upon the reason for administrative discharge balanced against the quality of the member’s service during that enlistment period. Honorable characterizations are appropriate when the quality of the member’s service generally has met standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty, or a member’s service is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be inappropriate. General characterizations are typically appropriate if a member’s service has been honest and faithful, but significant negative aspe
