Important Disclaimer
This page provides general information about administrative consequences of military chapter actions. It is not legal advice. If you are currently facing a chapter action, consult a JAG attorney or civilian military defense attorney before waiving any rights. Do not sign anything without speaking to legal counsel first.
AR 635-200 Downstream Consequences
Chapter Action Consequences: What Happens to Your Life After
The regulation tells you how you will be separated. This tells you what that means for the next 30 years — VA benefits, security clearances, federal employment, civilian background checks, and your ability to re-enter service.
This is the information the recruiter did not give you about what chapter actions actually cost. Know the consequences before you sign anything.
The Discharge Character Spectrum
Chapter actions (administrative separations) can result in Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable discharge. Bad Conduct and Dishonorable discharges only come from court-martial — never from administrative chapters.
Severity increases from left to right. Every step down the spectrum carries additional permanent consequences.
HD
Honorable Discharge
Full VA benefits. No restrictions. The standard all chapter actions should aim for.
- ›Full GI Bill eligibility (if service requirements met)
- ›Full VA healthcare eligibility
- ›VA disability compensation eligibility
- ›Veteran preference on federal employment
- ›No negative impact on security clearance adjudication
GEN
General Under Honorable Conditions
Some benefits preserved, but significant gaps — including GI Bill loss. Commonly misunderstood as equivalent to Honorable — it is not.
- ›VA healthcare: generally eligible
- ›GI Bill: NOT eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33) or MGIB (Ch. 30) — Honorable discharge required for both programs
- ›Veteran preference: generally preserved
- ›Some federal employers and defense contractors treat GEN differently than Honorable
- ›Explanation often required on applications — requires disclosure
OTH
Other Than Honorable
Significant restrictions. VA healthcare limited. GI Bill lost. Federal hiring impacted. Upgrade is possible but not easy.
- ›VA healthcare: restricted — VA does its own character of discharge determination
- ›GI Bill: lost entirely
- ›VA disability compensation: access is complicated — apply anyway
- ›Federal employment: significant barrier (not absolute, but HR often screens out)
- ›Security clearance: serious adjudicative concern depending on underlying conduct
BCD
Bad Conduct Discharge
— Court-martial onlyCourt-martial result only. Not from administrative chapter actions. Serious long-term consequences.
- ›Only issued after special or general court-martial conviction
- ›VA benefits largely unavailable
- ›Federal employment: treated as criminal conviction
- ›Professional licensing: may be affected depending on state and field
- ›Not applicable to AR 635-200 administrative chapters
DD
Dishonorable Discharge
— Court-martial onlyCourt-martial result only. Treated as felony conviction equivalent in virtually every civilian context.
- ›Only issued after general court-martial for the most serious offenses
- ›No VA benefits
- ›Loss of federal voting rights in some states
- ›Cannot own firearms under federal law
- ›Treated as felony conviction on background checks in most jurisdictions
Chapter-by-Chapter Consequence Map
Each chapter below shows typical discharge character, downstream consequences across five domains, and upgrade pathway information. All consequences depend heavily on the specific discharge character you receive — fight for the best characterization before signing.
Chapter 4
Expiration Term of Service (ETS)
Minimal ImpactTypical: Honorable
VA Benefits
Full benefits. This is a standard separation.
Security Clearance
No impact.
Federal Employment
No impact. Veteran preference applies.
Civilian Background Check
No concern.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-1 typically. Eligible for re-enlistment in any branch.
Upgrade Pathway
N/A — discharge is already Honorable.
ETS separations are included here only for completeness. An ETS with an Honorable discharge is the baseline — no consequences, full benefits. Every other chapter should be evaluated by comparison to this standard.
Chapter 5-11
Entry Level Separation (ELS)
Moderate ImpactTypical: Uncharacterized
VA Benefits
VA makes its own character of discharge determination. ELS veterans CAN receive VA healthcare and some benefits if service was "under conditions other than dishonorable" by VA standards. Apply — do not assume you are ineligible.
Security Clearance
Uncharacterized status is generally neutral. Defense contractors may scrutinize it more than civilian employers.
Federal Employment
Generally no hard bar. HR discretion. Some federal applications ask about discharge characterization.
Civilian Background Check
"Uncharacterized" often appears neutral to civilian employers but requires explanation when asked.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-3 typically (waiver required) or RE-4 (ineligible without upgrade). Depends on specific circumstances.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB or BCMR. Uncharacterized can sometimes be upgraded to Honorable if the separation circumstances support it.
Entry Level Separation occurs within the first 180 days of service. "Uncharacterized" does not mean dishonorable — the VA treats it separately from a negative discharge. GI Bill is generally unavailable due to insufficient service time. The biggest practical concern is the RE code, not the characterization itself.
Chapter 5-13
Personality Disorder
Moderate ImpactTypical: Honorable or General
VA Benefits
The VA does NOT automatically accept the DoD personality disorder finding. Veterans can and should file separately for VA disability. Many veterans chaptered under 5-13 have obtained VA disability ratings for PTSD because the conditions were misdiagnosed at the time of separation.
Security Clearance
Mental health history requires disclosure on SF-86. However, seeking and receiving treatment is generally NOT disqualifying — 2017 intelligence community guidance specifically discourages non-disclosure of mental health treatment. The notation itself is not an automatic clearance bar.
Federal Employment
Character of discharge (Honorable/General) determines federal employment eligibility — not the chapter basis itself.
Civilian Background Check
The personality disorder notation is on military records, not civilian criminal records. Most civilian employers will not see this unless they request military records specifically.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-3 or RE-4 depending on circumstances. Waiver possible in some cases.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB or BCMR. Chapter 5-13 separations have been successfully upgraded when the underlying condition was service-connected. PTSD/MST liberal consideration may apply.
Chapter 5-13 is administratively controversial. It has been used to separate soldiers with legitimate service-connected conditions — including PTSD — by mischaracterizing them as pre-existing personality disorders. If you were chaptered under 5-13 and believe your condition was service-connected, consult a VA-accredited claims agent and file a disability claim. The nexus letter and C&P exam are your primary tools. The VA is not bound by the DoD diagnosis.
Chapter 5-17
Other Designated Physical or Mental Conditions
Moderate ImpactTypical: Honorable or General
VA Benefits
Similar to 5-13. The VA makes its own determination. File for disability regardless of the chapter basis.
Security Clearance
Similar to 5-13. Disclosure required. Treatment history is mitigating, not aggravating.
Federal Employment
Determined by discharge characterization, not chapter basis.
Civilian Background Check
Medical chapter notation does not appear on civilian criminal records.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-3 or RE-4 depending on specific circumstances.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB or BCMR. Key argument: if the condition warranted administrative separation, it may also have warranted MEB/PEB processing instead.
Chapter 5-17 is sometimes used when a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) should have been initiated instead. If a soldier has a condition that limits duty performance, they may have a right to MEB/PEB processing rather than administrative separation under 5-17. This distinction matters enormously for disability retirement eligibility. If you were separated under 5-17 for a condition that substantially limited your military duties, consult with a veterans law attorney about whether you should have received MEB processing.
Chapter 9
Alcohol / Drug Rehabilitation Failure
Moderate ImpactTypical: General Under Honorable Conditions
VA Benefits
General discharge qualifies for VA healthcare. GI Bill (Post-9/11 Ch. 33 and MGIB Ch. 30) requires an Honorable discharge — a General discharge does NOT qualify. File for any service-connected conditions separately.
Security Clearance
Substance abuse history requires disclosure on SF-86. The adjudicative guidelines include rehabilitation as a significant mitigating factor. Time elapsed since conduct, completion of treatment, and demonstrated sobriety substantially reduce the concern. A single substance abuse issue that led to a Chapter 9 is not automatically disqualifying for a clearance.
Federal Employment
General discharge is not an automatic bar to federal employment. Some positions and agencies are more sensitive than others. The substance abuse history may require additional explanation on federal applications.
Civilian Background Check
Drug-related military administrative records are generally not part of civilian criminal records unless there was a concurrent civilian conviction. The GEN discharge itself may be visible.
Re-Entry Eligibility
Generally RE-4 (ineligible). Waiver into other branches is possible in some cases, particularly with documented sobriety.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB or BCMR. A sustained record of sobriety and rehabilitation strengthens an upgrade application significantly.
Chapter 9 separates soldiers who have entered the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and failed to complete rehabilitation requirements. The General Under Honorable Conditions characterization preserves most VA benefits. The clearance impact is manageable with demonstrated rehabilitation. The primary practical barriers are RE-4 re-entry restriction and the federal employment stigma — both addressable over time with a clean post-service record.
Chapter 10
In Lieu of Court-Martial (ILOCM)
Serious ImpactTypical: Other Than Honorable (OTH)
VA Benefits
OTH restricts VA healthcare eligibility — but the VA makes its own character of discharge determination. Apply anyway and request a character of discharge review. Some OTH veterans successfully access VA care for service-connected conditions. File VA Form 21-4138 with a narrative explaining your service circumstances.
Security Clearance
Chapter 10 implies the underlying conduct was serious enough to face a court-martial. The OTH characterization plus the implied criminal conduct creates a significant adjudicative concern. Clearance outcomes depend heavily on what the underlying conduct was, how long ago it occurred, and what you have done since. Serious underlying offenses make clearance very difficult.
Federal Employment
OTH is a significant red flag in federal HR. Not an absolute statutory bar in most cases, but many HR departments screen out OTH candidates. Positions requiring clearance have an additional barrier. Some agencies have harder policies than others.
Civilian Background Check
The OTH discharge itself appears on military records. The underlying conduct may or may not appear on civilian criminal records depending on whether there were civilian charges. Civilian employers increasingly run military service verification.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-4. No re-entry into any branch without a discharge upgrade first.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB within 15 years of separation, or BCMR for errors/injustice. OTH upgrades are granted but require a meaningful basis — PTSD nexus, MST, command misconduct, due process violations, or compelling humanitarian factors. Success rates vary substantially by underlying conduct and quality of representation.
Chapter 10 is one of the most consequential administrative separations. You requested separation in lieu of facing court-martial — which the government will treat as an implicit acknowledgment of serious underlying conduct. The OTH characterization creates a cascade of downstream consequences. The GI Bill is gone entirely. VA healthcare access is restricted. Federal employment is significantly harder. Clearance is a serious concern depending on what the underlying conduct was. If you are currently facing a Chapter 10 offer, do not sign before consulting a JAG attorney or civilian military defense attorney — once signed, it is extremely difficult to undo.
Chapter 13
Unsatisfactory Performance
Moderate ImpactTypical: General Under Honorable Conditions
VA Benefits
General discharge qualifies for VA healthcare. GI Bill (Post-9/11 and MGIB) requires an Honorable discharge — not available with a General.
Security Clearance
Unsatisfactory performance is an administrative finding, not a misconduct finding. It is less concerning in clearance adjudication than Chapter 14 misconduct chapters. Pattern of behavior matters more than the discharge characterization alone.
Federal Employment
General discharge is not a hard bar. Some federal positions require explanation of non-Honorable discharges. HR discretion applies.
Civilian Background Check
Performance-based chapters do not appear on civilian criminal records. The GEN discharge may be visible if military records are checked.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-3 typically (waiver possible). If the performance issue was addressed and standards are now met, waivers are sometimes approved.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB or BCMR. Strong argument for upgrade if performance issues were related to a medical condition, command climate, or improper counseling procedures.
Chapter 13 separates soldiers who have failed to meet performance standards after counseling and opportunity to improve. The consequence profile is more manageable than misconduct chapters. The General discharge preserves VA benefits, and the performance basis is viewed differently than misconduct in both clearance and employment contexts. Primary concern is re-entry restriction.
Chapter 14
Misconduct
Serious ImpactTypical: General (minor) to OTH (serious)
VA Benefits
Depends on discharge character. General: most benefits preserved. OTH: same restrictions as Chapter 10 OTH.
Security Clearance
Misconduct is directly addressed in the adjudicative guidelines. Recent misconduct weighs more heavily than old. A single serious incident is treated differently than a pattern. Underlying civilian conviction (14-5) compounds the clearance concern significantly.
Federal Employment
Chapter 14 misconduct on a federal background check is a serious concern. General discharge is not a hard bar, but requires explanation. OTH from 14-12c is treated similarly to Chapter 10 OTH in most federal HR contexts.
Civilian Background Check
Chapter 14-5 (civilian conviction) means there is also a civilian criminal record trail — separate from the military discharge. These compound each other in background checks. 14-12a and 14-12b misconduct is primarily on military records.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-4 for OTH. RE-3 or RE-4 for General depending on sub-chapter. Waivers are rare for serious misconduct.
Upgrade Pathway
DRB or BCMR. Misconduct upgrades are harder than performance or medical upgrades. Strong mitigating factors — PTSD nexus, MST, extenuating circumstances — improve odds. Legal representation significantly improves outcomes.
Chapter 14 has four key sub-chapters with different consequence profiles. Chapter 14-12c (serious misconduct) with OTH is the most severe administrative separation outside of court-martial. Chapter 14-5 involves a civilian conviction — the civilian conviction itself carries its own separate consequence trail (background checks, voting rights in some states, professional licensing). The military chapter compounds an already serious situation.
Chapter 14-12a (minor disciplinary infractions) with a General discharge is substantially more manageable. The key variable throughout Chapter 14 is discharge characterization — fight for the best possible character before signing anything.
Chapter 18
Failure to Meet Body Composition / Fitness Standards
Minimal ImpactTypical: Honorable
VA Benefits
Full VA benefits apply with an Honorable discharge.
Security Clearance
Physical fitness chapter has no negative impact on security clearance adjudication.
Federal Employment
Honorable discharge. Veteran preference applies. No negative impact.
Civilian Background Check
Fitness-based chapter does not appear on civilian criminal records.
Re-Entry Eligibility
RE-3 typically (waiver required). If standards are subsequently met, re-entry waivers are commonly approved. Body composition waivers are among the more routinely approved.
Upgrade Pathway
N/A for most — discharge is already Honorable. RE code upgrade is the typical goal for re-entry-focused veterans.
Chapter 18 separates soldiers for failure to meet Army body composition standards (ABCP) or physical fitness standards after remediation attempts. The Honorable characterization preserves all benefits and creates no downstream civilian consequence. The RE-3 code is the primary practical barrier for those who wish to re-enter service — and if you have brought your fitness into compliance, a waiver is a realistic option.
The VA "Character of Discharge" Determination
This is the most important thing most OTH veterans do not know. The VA does not automatically follow DoD. The VA makes its own independent determination.
The VA Is an Independent Adjudicator
The VA will provide healthcare and benefits if the veteran's service was "under conditions other than dishonorable" by VA standards — even if DoD characterized the discharge as OTH. This is a separate legal determination the VA makes based on the underlying facts of your service, not just the discharge paperwork.
Always Apply — Even With OTH
Veterans with OTH discharges should always apply to the VA and specifically request a character of discharge review. Many succeed. The worst that can happen is a denial, which you can appeal. The best that can happen is healthcare access and disability compensation you would otherwise have permanently missed.
How to Request a Review
File VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim) along with your healthcare or benefits application. In the statement, provide a detailed narrative of your service circumstances — what led to the separation, any service-connected conditions, any extenuating factors. The more the VA understands your service, the more effectively it can make a fair determination.
Service-Connected Disability Is Separate From Healthcare Access
Even veterans whose character of discharge review is pending or denied for healthcare purposes can still file VA disability claims. The VA will evaluate service connection separately. If you have a service-connected condition, you may receive disability compensation even while the healthcare access question is unresolved.
Discharge Upgrade — The Realistic Guide
Upgrade is possible. It is not automatic. It requires a substantive basis, strong documentation, and ideally legal representation.
Discharge Review Board (DRB)
- ›Must apply within 15 years of separation
- ›Can upgrade discharge characterization
- ›Cannot change RE code
- ›Branch-specific board
- ›Success rates roughly 20-40% depending on branch, era, and basis
- ›Personal appearance hearings available at Pentagon
Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR)
- ›No strict time limit for compelling cases
- ›General rule: file within 3 years of discovering the error/injustice
- ›Can correct RE codes, narrative reason, separation program designator
- ›Broader jurisdiction than DRB
- ›Harder to win but more comprehensive corrections possible
- ›Written record only — no in-person hearing as a right
PTSD and MST Liberal Consideration — 2014 Policy
Since 2014, DoD liberal consideration applies to discharge upgrades where PTSD or military sexual trauma (MST) contributed to the circumstances leading to separation. If your discharge was related to PTSD or MST, the board must liberally consider evidence supporting upgrade. This has meaningfully improved upgrade rates for eligible veterans. Provide a nexus statement connecting your condition to the discharge circumstances.
Get Legal Representation
Upgrade success rates are significantly higher with legal representation. Several organizations provide free or low-cost representation: Veterans Legal Services Clinic, National Veterans Legal Services Program, Swords to Plowshares (West Coast), and branch-specific legal aid organizations. Do not navigate a BCMR or DRB without counsel if representation is available to you.
RE Codes Do Not Upgrade Automatically
RE codes and discharge characterization are separate. A discharge upgrade does NOT automatically change your RE code. If re-entry is your goal, you need to address the RE code separately through BCMR — or obtain a direct waiver from the recruiting branch, which is possible in some cases with RE-3 codes.
Re-Entry Codes (RE Codes) — The Other Barrier
Your RE code is a separate and distinct barrier from your discharge characterization. A soldier can have an Honorable discharge and still be ineligible to re-enlist.
Eligible for re-enlistment in any branch. No waiver required.
RE-2
Conditionally Eligible
Ineligible for reenlistment in the separated branch. May be eligible in other branches. Specific waiver requirements vary.
Not eligible for re-enlistment without a waiver. Waivers are possible and often granted depending on the underlying reason and current recruiting environment. Do not assume RE-3 is permanent.
Ineligible without a discharge upgrade. Waivers are extremely rare and almost always require a BCMR correction first. RE-4 is the primary re-entry barrier for soldiers with OTH or serious misconduct separations.
Important: RE codes do not automatically update when a discharge characterization is upgraded through DRB. RE code corrections require a separate BCMR petition or a recruiting command waiver. If re-entry is your primary goal, make RE code correction an explicit part of your BCMR application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions veterans actually ask about chapter consequences.
Can I get VA benefits with an OTH discharge?
Possibly — and you should always apply to find out. The VA does not automatically adopt the DoD characterization. The VA makes its own "character of discharge" determination. If the VA determines your service was "under conditions other than dishonorable" by VA standards, you may qualify for healthcare and some benefits even with an OTH discharge. Submit an application and, if denied, request a character of discharge review. Filing VA Form 21-4138 with a narrative about your service circumstances gives the VA the information needed to make a fair determination.
Does a Chapter 5-13 (personality disorder) mean I cannot get VA disability?
No. The VA is not bound by the DoD diagnosis. Many veterans chaptered under 5-13 have successfully obtained VA disability ratings for PTSD because the conditions were misdiagnosed at the time of separation. File a disability claim with the VA, get a nexus letter from a treating provider, and attend your C&P exam prepared to discuss how the condition is connected to your service. The VA evaluates service connection independently from the DoD characterization.
How do I start a discharge upgrade?
There are two primary pathways. The Discharge Review Board (DRB) can be petitioned within 15 years of your separation date — it can upgrade the discharge character but cannot change the RE code. The Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) can address errors and injustices with no strict time limit for compelling cases (the general rule is within 3 years of discovery). Both applications require a written brief explaining why the discharge was unjust, erroneous, or should be reconsidered. Success rates are significantly higher with legal representation. Veterans Legal Services Clinic, National Veterans Legal Services Program, and Swords to Plowshares provide free or low-cost representation.
Does my chapter show up on civilian background checks?
It depends on what is being checked. Military discharge characterization can appear when employers run military service verification or request DD-214 information. The chapter basis itself (why you were separated) does not automatically appear on civilian background checks unless there was a concurrent civilian criminal conviction. If there is a civilian conviction — as with Chapter 14-5 — that is a separate record that appears on criminal background checks regardless of what your military discharge says.
Can I re-enter the military after a General discharge?
Possibly, with a waiver. A General Under Honorable Conditions discharge typically results in an RE-3 code, which is ineligible without a waiver but does not permanently close the door. Waiver approval depends on the branch, current recruiting environment, and the specific circumstances of your separation. Some General discharges result in RE-4 codes — those require a discharge upgrade before re-entry is possible. Check your DD-214 for your RE code, which is the actual re-entry determinant.
What is the difference between the DRB and the BCMR?
The Discharge Review Board (DRB) is branch-specific, can be petitioned within 15 years of separation, and can upgrade the character of discharge. It cannot change RE codes or address matters exclusively within the jurisdiction of another board. The Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) is broader — it can correct errors and injustices in military records, including RE codes, narrative reason for separation, and separation program designator codes. There is no strict time limit for compelling cases, though the general rule is within 3 years of discovering the error or injustice. BCMR decisions are harder to obtain but more comprehensive.
Will my clearance be denied because of my chapter?
Not automatically. The adjudicative guidelines evaluate the totality of circumstances — not just the discharge characterization. Relevant factors include the seriousness of the underlying conduct, how long ago it occurred, evidence of rehabilitation, and your subsequent record. A General discharge from a Chapter 9 (substance abuse) with documented sobriety is a very different adjudicative picture from an OTH from a Chapter 10 involving serious underlying misconduct. If you have a clearance concern, consult a security clearance attorney before your next SF-86 submission or periodic reinvestigation.
If I took Chapter 10, what are my realistic options?
Your realistic options depend heavily on the underlying conduct and how long ago the separation occurred. In the near term: apply to the VA regardless of OTH status and request a character of discharge review — you may qualify for healthcare and some benefits. File for any service-connected disabilities. In the medium term: if you have PTSD, MST, or another service-connected condition that contributed to the circumstances leading to your chapter, a DRB or BCMR upgrade application may succeed — especially since 2014 DoD liberal consideration guidance applies to PTSD and MST-connected discharges. Get legal representation for the upgrade application. Upgrade rates are meaningfully higher with attorneys. Long term: a clean post-separation record, demonstrated stability, and time are your best arguments in every subsequent context — employment, clearance, and re-entry.
Not legal advice. This page presents general information about administrative consequence patterns based on publicly available law, regulations, and VA policy. Individual outcomes depend on specific facts, branch policies, adjudicator discretion, and current recruiting or VA guidance. Consult a JAG attorney, civilian military defense attorney, or VA-accredited claims agent for advice specific to your situation. Free resources include Trial Defense Service (active duty), Veterans Legal Services organizations, and your local Vet Center.