what kind of discharge do you get for being gay in the military?

Question

and if discharged what about stuff like gi bill

Answer 1

First of all, being gay AND in the military will not automatically get you processed out into the civilian world. The "don't ask, don't tell" policy mean just that. If you tell, someone else tells, or you are caught in a compromising situation, then the military has the right to process you out. That happens under Chapter 15, AR 635-200. (See below link, page 100) Baring any alleged misconduct (i.e., by force, with someone under 16, in public, etc.) then the prescribed discharge is a General Under Honorable Conditions, which is the second one on the list right under Honorable. If there is some sort of misconduct, then the command may recommend an Other Than Honorable Discharge, but the solider then has the right to request an Administrative Separation Board at which they can argue their right to a General Discharge.

The few times I ever had to process any separations due to a soldier telling their command that they were gay, the underlying reason was that they wanted out of the military, not that they wanted to stay and were being forced out.

Answer 2

Tigger gave you a great response - it was about the best so far. She is correct, it is a Chapter 15. Honorable if outed, possibly Less than Honorable if you were caught in a compromising act.

The real question is - why worry about it. If you are in the military, and you do happen to be gay, keep it to yourself. If you are using this Administrative seperation as an easy way out of your military committment - shame on you. You would discrace all of the "gay" military personnel who are serving honorably. I'm not ignorant, I am sure that if all of the gay service members were discharged at once, they military would really be hurting.

If you are straight and trying to use this as an easy way out - You will get caught, and prosecuted for Fraudulent Separation, as well as for making a False Official Statement.

I was a Company Commander for 18 months. I had at least 30 people tell me they were gay and wanted out. I didn't let any of them out. Instead I let them reconsider, told them how they should be the best Soldier they should be and serve their country honorably. It isn't like they didn't know they were gay before they joined - so why should it make a difference once they were in and the government/taxpayer had already invested over $25,000 in them (and that is just to get them through the 1st week of reception, it includes recruiting costs, MEPs costs and so forth)?

Bottom line is - homosexuality is not in and of itself disqualifying. So don't use it as a scape-goat. Be a Man, gay or not, and do your job, fulfill your legal obligation (your contract - like you expect the government to fulfill their obligation), and serve with honor.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

There are many options for discharge in said situation. Depending on how long you've been in, they may do a general discharge under "Inability to Adapt to Military Life". Most will try to discharge on something other than homosexuality charges when possible.

Answer 4

I think it depends. I know people that have been "dishonorably" discharged & others that have received a "general under honorable" discharge. It has to do with how it is found out, I believe. For instance, one of my friends went to the Chief and told him that she was a lesbian, and she was sent to Restriction that night, and received the general under honorable discharge.

If they find out by other means, then that's when it's a dishonorable discharge.

Answer 5

You get an administrative discharge, Chapter 15, general under honorable conditions.

Answer 6

You people are stupid, you get a Honorable discharge because you can be gay in the Military just no openly, and once they find out they just send you home.

Maybe if these morons above me ever served in the Military they would know

Answer 7

The Pentagon recently passed effects to make being homosexual in the military a section 8 (psychiatric).

Answer 8

The current policy is "Don't ask don't tell"
If you walk up to your superior and admit to him or her you are gay you will be honorably discharged....If you are caught doing a dirty deed, you will be dishonorably discharged.

That's it straight up.

Answer 9

You get honorable discharge. But it's a don't ask don't tell kind of thing. So don't ask, don't tell!

Answer 10

dishonorable discharge