Military Out-Processing for Service Members

Out-processing is basically a military discharge. It occurs when a service member is released from his or her duties to serve. This can happen due to the amount of time served has been complete or due to another circumstance. There are also different types of out-processing, such as an honorable or dishonorable discharge. When going through out-processing, you will want to know what is a positive versus a negative discharge.

Reasons for Out Processing 

When you go through out-processing as a service member, you receive a DD214 form, also called the Department of Defense Form 214. This form is given when leaving the military. Also included on the form is the reason for the out-processing or discharge. The reason is detailed in narrative format in the out-processing form. Some of these out-processing reasons include:

• Military service term completion
• Medical disability
• Conscious objection
• Homosexuality
• Hardship

Grades of Discharge 

In addition to the reasons for an out-processing, there are also various grades of discharge. These grades can dictate whether the discharge was positive or negative. There are five grades for out-processing. The first three grades of discharge do not involve a judge, while the other two involve a trial conviction. They include (from most positive to least):

• Honorable
• General (other honorable conditions)
• Other than honorable
• Bad conduct
• Dishonorable
  

Importance of Out-Processing Grade

Why does the discharge grade matter? It does in that it can affect veteran benefits. Obviously, you are more likely to receive the most benefits the better the “grade,” whereas a Dishonorable Discharge would disqualify you for those veteran benefits.