Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for Montgomery GI Bill (education) benefits? How about "GI Bill for the 21st Century"?

To see the criteria, regular active personnel can go here or reservists can go here. For the new GI Bill, which goes into effect August 1, 2009, look GI Bill">here.

Based on the characterization of service for my discharge, Honorable, General, Other than Honorable, Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable, what benefits am I eligible for?

Click here to see which benefits you are eligible for and what problems can cause you to lose some of them.

How can I get a copy of my discharge papers (DD-214)?

Go to http://archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/.

I've heard that discharges are automatically upgraded six months after you're discharged. Is that true?

Absolutely not. Call the GI Rights Hotline to find out how you may possibly improve your discharge before you get discharged or to upgrade your discharge afterwards (which is usually harder to do).

You say I can get out of the DEP but my recruiter says that you don't know what you're talking about or you're lying. Why should I believe you?

We do know what we're talking about and we're not lying, but you can see for yourself: just find the DEP commentary for your branch of service on the regulations page to see the military's own regulations.

I've heard that if I go AWOL and wait 30 days, then I can turn myself in and get a quick discharge. Is that true?

It's not easy to say what is true about going AWOL (and UA) in general, because each case depends on a number of factors and the situation keeps changing, but the majority of rumors we have heard are either  not true or they only apply to people in a special category.  To find out what might be true in your case call the GI Rights Hotline (877-447-4487).  Our counselors keep up with the latest information about the consequences of going AWOL (and UA).

Discharges and Benefits

The tables below show the eligibility for benefits based on the type of discharge a member is awarded (source: www.jag.navy.mil/documents/Benefits%20Chart.doc, but applicable generally to all branches of the military). They do not indicate any other criteria (such as years of service) that may also be required for an individual to be eligible for the benefits indicated.

DD

Dishonorable discharge

BCD GCM

Bad conduct discharge awarded at General Court-Martial

BCD SPCM

Bad conduct discharge awarded at Special Court-Martial

OTH

Other than honorable

GEN

General (under honorable conditions)

HON

Honorable discharge

E

Eligible

NE

Not eligible

A

Eligible only if the administering agency determines that, for its purposes, the discharge was not under dishonorable conditions.

VA Benefits

VA Benefits	DD	BCD GCM	BCD SPCM	OTH	GEN	HON
Wartime disability compensation	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Wartime death compensation	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Peacetime disability compensation	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Peacetime death compensation	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Education assistance (not GI Bill)	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Pensions to widows and children	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Hospital and domiciliary care	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Medical and dental care	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Prosthetic appliances	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Seeing-eye dogs, mechanical and electronic aids	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Burial benefits (flag, national cemetaries, expenses)	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Special housing	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Vocational rehabilitation: Survivor's educational assistance	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Autos for disabled veterans	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Inductees reenlistment rights	NE	NE	A	A	E	E

Military Benefits

Military Benefits	DD	BCD GCM	BCD SPCM	OTH	GEN	HON
Mileage	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Payment for accrued leave	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Transportation for dependents and household goods	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Retain and wear uniform home	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Notice to employer of discharge	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Award of medal, crosses, and bars	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Admission to Soldier's/Naval Home	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records	E	E	E	E	E	E
Death gratuity	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Use of wartime title and wearing of uniform	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Discharge Review Board	NE	NE	E	E	E	E
Homestead preference	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Civil Service employment preference	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Credit for retirement benefits	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Naturalization benefits	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Employment as District Court Bailiffs	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
D.C. police, fireman, & teacher retirement credit	NE	NE	NE	NE	E	E
Housing for distressed families of veterans	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Farm loans and farm housing loans	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Jobs counseling, training, placement	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Social Security wage credits for WW-II service	NE	NE	A	A	E	E
Preference in purchasing defense housing	NE	NE	A	A	E	E

What Do Different Re-Enlistment Re-Entry Codes Mean?

People sometimes have questions about re-entry re-enlistment codes and the possibility of getting back in. Enlisted personnel separated from any component of the military are assigned RE codes to indicate their eligibility to reenter military service. Below are different branches listing of what the different codes mean.       REENTRY CODES For Army Code   Applies to Persons Eligibility for Reenlistment RE-1 RE-1A RE-1B Fully qualified when last separated Fully qualified. RE-1C Separated who do not possess scores of 90 or higher in any three or more aptitude areas of the ASVAB, if tested before1 Oct 80, or scores of 85 or higher, if tested on or after 1 Oct 80. Fully qualified provided otherwise eligible. RE-2 RE-2A RE-2B RE-2C Fully qualified when last separated for convenience of the government or pregnancy under AR 635-200.   Fully qualified, provided otherwise eligible. Pregnancy discharge requires waiver.   RE-3 1. Not qualified for continued Army service, but the disqualification can be waived.   2. With “Trainee Discharge Program (TDP) - Overweight” noted in block of DD Form 214.   Ineligible for enlistment unless a waiver is granted. Eligible for USAR enlistment/reentry without waiver. However, applicant must meet standards of AR 600-9. Two-year waiting period not required for overweight (TDP) if applicant meets AR 600-9 for RA or USAR enlistment. RE-3A 1. Not possessing scores of 90 or higher in any three or more aptitude test areas of the AQB or ACB. (However, this code is no longer used for this disqualification).   2. With more than four years of service for pay who have incurred an additional service requirement after 5 Aug 78. Fully qualified for enlistment if mentalrequirements can be met. Prior service mental requirements can not be waived.   Fully qualified for enlistment in the RA USAR. Ineligible for RA until 93 days after date of separation. Grade determination required by HRC . RE-3B Lost time during last period of service. Waiver required. RE-3C Who do not meet the reentry grade and service criteria of AR 601-210. Waiver required. RE-4 Separated from last period of service with a nonwaivable disqualification (Includes DA Bar to Reenlistment.) Ineligible. RE-4A Who did not meet basic eligibility citizenship requirement at time of last separation from active duty. Ineligible for enlistment. However, case may be submitted to HRC for consideration. Citizenship requirements can not be waived. RE-4R Enlisted personnel retiring after 20 or more years active Federal service. Ineligible.   For Reenlistment the Navy uses the following chart ELIGIBLE TO REENLIST NAVY & USCG RE-1, RE-R1, RE-1E, RE-1J, RE-5, RE-7 AIR FORCE RE-1, 1J, 1M, 1P, 1Q, 1T, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3I, 3K, 6B, RE-12, 13, 14 ARMY RE-1, RE-1C, RE-1A, RE-1B, RE-1J, RE-2, RE-2A, RE-2B, RE-2C, RE-3A MARINE CORPS RE-1, RE-1A, RE-1B, RE-1C, RE-1J, RE-2A INELIGIBLE TO REENLIST WITHOUT A COMNAVCRUITCOM WAIVER NAVY & USCG RE-2*, RE-3, RE-3B, RE-3E, RE-3F, RE-3G, RE-3H, RE-3J, RE-3K, RE-3M, RE-3P, RE-3Q, RE-3R, RE-3S, RE-3U, RE-3X, RE-3Y, RE-3Z, RE-6, RE-8 AIR FORCE RE-1A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H,4I, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4M, 4N ARMY RE-3, RE-3B MARINE CORPS RE-3B, RE-3C, RE-3D, RE-3E, RE-3F, RE-3G, RE-3H, RE-3J, RE-3M, RE-3N, RE-3P, RE-3R, RE-3S, RE-3U, RE-3W INELIGIBLE TO REENLIST WAIVERS NOT AUTHORIZED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED NAVY & USCG RE-2, RE-3A, RE-3C, RE-4 (Note 1) AIR FORCE RE-2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2I, 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M, 2N, 2P, 2Q, 2R, 2S, 2T, 2U, 2V, 2W, 2X, 3S, 3V RE-4(Note 1) ARMY RE-3C, RE-4(Note 1), RE-4A, RE-4R MARINE CORPS RE-2, RE-2B, RE-2C, RE-3A, RE-3S, RE-4(Note 1), RE-4B
	For the AIR FORCE your RE-Code must be a "1" to be eligible for the AF prior service program