How to Be Discharged From the Army

by Brooke Julia, studioD

There are five categories of discharges in the Army: honorable, general, other than honorable, bad conduct and dishonorable. Which one you obtain, and how you obtain it, is entirely up to you. The first three discharges result from administrative action but the latter two are punitive actions that result from a formal court martial, says the U.S. Army website. Commissioned officers of the Army can't be demoted or given a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, says the Fort Hood Sentinel. If they are discharged as the result of a court martial, they are deemed "dismissed," which bears the same stigma and consequences as a dishonorable discharge.

Fulfilling Your Obligation

The most straightforward way of getting discharged from the Army is to simply fulfill your contract. Doing so while adhering to the military's codes of ethics and conduct will ensure an honorable discharge, the most coveted of the five. Having an honorable discharge entitles you to all veteran's benefits and is looked upon favorably by civilian employers and colleges, says the Fort Hood Sentinel.

Hardship or Dependency

You don't necessarily have to complete your tour with the Army in order to receive an honorable discharge. If being in the military has caused serious financial hardship or emotional strain for your family, you can apply for an early release. The standards for these types of releases are quite strict, warns the G.I. Rights Hotline, so being diligent when preparing your case is crucial. You will need to complete a hardship or dependency separation application and submit documentation to support your claims. Be specific about the crisis that has arisen due to your being in the Army and how being released will solve it. If the issue is financial, supply supporting documentation. If the issue is with a family member, submit complete names and addresses. You will need to prove that the situation is not temporary and that you've tried all other means to resolve it.

Entry Level Separation

Sometimes people eagerly sign up for the Army only to discover it doesn't provide the type of life they wanted at all. If you find yourself in this situation, take advantage of the Army's 180-day grace period. You have the right to apply for entry-level separation, or ELS, within the first 180 days of continuous service. You can submit a written request to your commander along with any proof -- such as a letter from a counselor -- or you can simply approach your commander and ask for an ELS. Being deliberately non-compliant or performing poorly on purpose isn't a good way to get an ELS, says the Army Times. You're more likely to be court-martialed for insubordination. Instead, convey clearly and honestly that your inability to adapt to the Army lifestyle is unintentional. An ELS doesn't qualify as a discharge and won't hurt your reputation with future employers.


A female soldier can request an early discharge if she discovers she's pregnant. It isn't an automatic basis for a discharge, as pregnant women are encouraged to continue their service to the Army in a modified and safe capacity, and simply extend their tour to cover for any lost service due to birth and postpartum time off. No discharge will be granted during the first trimester, says Veterans for America. Once you've entered your second trimester, submit a written request for an honorable discharge to your commander, with proof of your pregnancy and the reason you believe remaining in the Army is in conflict with having a child.

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