What now, Life after "other than honorable discharge"?

Question

My son has recieved an " Other than Honorable discharge" he is serving 60 days restriction now, and when that is done he will be sent home. He is guilty of bad decisions that have hurt no one but himself, no criminal activity.

He has been in almost two years. He just turned 20. Where does he go from here, will his life be ruined because of this?, how will he get a job that does a background check?

After he sighned up, about a month or so before he was to leave he said he changed his mind, he did not want to go, but we pushed him hard and he went, it seemed all was well, little did I know how miserable he really was, I feel terrible that I may have caused this for him and now he will pay the price for the rest of his life. How do I help him now?

I know people in this area that find out he didnt make it are gonna ridicule him and it just breaks my heart..

He's a good kid, he just dosent think sometimes.

thanks.

I should of clarified, he had 2 NJP's, 1st, a sailor friend left an empty beer bottle in his trash can, and his roomate turned him in, 2nd, knocked a fence down with his car, and finally Captains Mast for missing a class he was assigned. No Court Marshall. Thanks

Answer 1

His lack of thinking is breaking his mother's heart.

This will follow him the rest of his life. Some companies won't care about the classification, but he probably isn't looking at being a top salaried person either.

Kids today don't seem to be able to plan more than about 37 seconds into the future. They they are dumbfounded when their actions actually mean something to somebody.

You can't help him Mom. He wasn't at Scout Camp... The US Military is serious stuff and there isn't any room to play around as he found out.

I'm so sorry.


g-day!

Answer 2

You did what you thought was right for him and it didn't work-really not your fault as he did make the bad decisions from that point on instead of sticking with it and making good ones. The effect in the future really depends on the type discharge he gets-a General under other then honorable is a lot different then a Dishonorable. Very little restrictions if the general though they are some and it can effect his ability to get a job in government, civilian companies or a security clearance. Despite the "political climate" most businesses look at it still and wouldn't be a plus; simply put you volunteered to do something, signed a contract and then broke it in civilian terms. The Job Corps is a federal program and he may not be eligible to use it and the same is true of federal grants or garunteed loans for college-depends on the other then honorable category. Not admitting it on a job appication will be a bad choice-most companies do background checks now and it would probably show up there plus how does explain doing nothing for two years? People who give him a hard time should beasked "and you served how long?" or ignored; as above he needs to admit he messed up and is moving past it and trying to improve now. A large number of people in the military get in trouble during the time they are in, including me, and get honorable discharges but I am guessing his was more habitual or numerous then most. In the future he can petition the service to have his discharged upgraded/corrected and it might be done. I have a friend who did and got his changed from General Other Honorable to General under Honorable so it does happen but he wll need to show he has changed and learned from the mistakes he made.

Answer 3

An 'other than honorable' discharge will only be an issue in the kinds of careers he can consider and the types of federal benefits he qualifies for.

For most private employers, the space for military service is more of a statistical and an "isn't that interesting" query. He would do well to simply leave that space blank.

He is not eligible for Federal employment - this includes military, TSA, federal law enforcement, Social Security Administration, and a myriad list of other government jobs. He is also not eligible for law enforcement at any level, and will have limited opportunities in fields where security is an issue.

You said no criminal activity was involved, so I'm going to assume he deserted or violated some other provision of the Unified Code Of Military Justice. Be aware that, on a Federal level, the violation, subsequent court martial and sentence, however they are worded, are considered felony convicions. HOWEVER, if the matter was cleared up with non-judicial punishment (Captain's Mast, office hours, or the like, depending on the branch of service) there will not be a conviction record other than in his Service Record Book.

All in all, he's coming home with some career challenges, but it beats the heck out of a dishonorable discharge. That is a life sentence for poverty and shame.

Good luck to you and to him.

Answer 4

I'm sorry, but it does get worse; he will not be able to obtain any type of Federal employment, not even the United States Postal Service or as a Census Taker. Most Civil Service jobs, such as police or fire departments, will refuse him for employment as well based on the idea 'if he couldn't cut it in the military, he won't cut it here...'.

You might want to consider getting into Job Corps so he can learn a good trade. It is a Federally funded program operated by the Department of Labor and he has until he is 24 years old to enroll. It just might give him a better chance than flipping hamburgers for the rest of his life.

Best Wishes

Answer 5

I think your son should move elsewhere and begin new. Fresh start. Don't put down the military on his job applications. He does have a high school diloma right? He's still young. Let him rest. Plan things out with him BUT this time do not push him. Just converse and be there for him.

Answer 6

Well, when he gets a job he just needs to not mention the military on his resume and they won't check into it. He'll probably never really get a job in the military again. And what do you mean other people will ridicule him, at least he tried to serve his country, what do they do?

Answer 7

Getting a new job won't really be an issue since you say he hasn't commited a crime. All people stretch their CV when they go for job and all your son has to do is say he served his country and now he's a civvy looking to get on with it. Just forget what other people think and show him love and support when he gets out.

Answer 8

With the political climate now, it may be a plus for some employers. But, as you said, he's 20 and not your little boy anymore. He's a young adult and has to live with his decisions....Chalk this up to a learning experience....

Answer 9

At 20 years old, perhaps he has matured enough to go on to college. Or, he can get a job and continue his education at a local Jr. college.

One thing is a given. His chances of getting ahead are minimized because of little education. He needs to level the playing field and improve his chances, with further education.

His retort to those who criticize him, is to beat them to the punch. He should admit that he screwed up, and regretted having done it. It's pretty hard to beat up on someone who admits their mistakes. He will regain the respect of others, by owning up to his mistakes.

Answer 10

well as far as i know they don't give out dishonorable discharges any more so he should be OK for a future job. maybe education may be the way forward with a good enough qualification in a specific field and the right attitude his previous employment shouldn't play to much of a part in his job opportunities . well hope this helps and good luck