"1. Have you served or are you now serving on active US military duty?" Forum

[jgh1992]

I would not consider myself of having been in the army or a veteran in any way. I did sign up and ended up getting an Entry Level Separation (Uncharacterized Discharge) because I was not in more than 180 days, which they also say is like you were never in the military. So my question is do I have to say, "Yes I was in the military"? And If I do and I don't will they find out and what are repercussions?

[MistakenGenius]

Post removed.

[Dcc617]

I would not consider myself of having been in the army or a veteran in any way. I did sign up and ended up getting an Entry Level Separation (Uncharacterized Discharge) because I was not in more than 180 days, which they also say is like you were never in the military. So my question is do I have to say, "Yes I was in the military"? And If I do and I don't will they find out and what are repercussions?

Say yes. You'll be able to explain the nuance when it asks if you received a discharge that wasn't an "honorable discharge." Shouldn't be an issue though.

[ScottRiqui]

I can't remember what paperwork is generated for an ELS - were you given a DD-214? If so, then you were considered "on active duty" and I'd answer "yes".

[PoopyPants]

I would not consider myself of having been in the army or a veteran in any way. I did sign up and ended up getting an Entry Level Separation (Uncharacterized Discharge) because I was not in more than 180 days, which they also say is like you were never in the military. So my question is do I have to say, "Yes I was in the military"? And If I do and I don't will they find out and what are repercussions?

It depends on the terms of your discharge. The term "veteran" is defined as "a person who—(A) served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released therefrom with other than a dishonorable discharge; [or] (B) was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability." Active Duty service only includes training time if the separation was due to an injury or line-of-duty death.

Why were you discharged? Failure to adapt? Did you receive a DD-214? If you did not, then you did not complete active duty service, are not a veteran, and you can say no, you did not serve as active duty military per regulation (and statute). If you received a DD-214, then you were considered to have been on active duty (which means you probably were injured, since you did not serve more than 180 days), and you are a veteran (for VA purposes) and should check "yes."

[jgh1992]

On the discharge sheet it reads:
"24. Character of Service: Uncharacterized"
"25. Separation Authority: AR 635-200, Chap 11"
"26. Separation Code: JGA"
"27. Reentry Code: 3"
"28. Narrative Reason For Separation: Entry Level Performance and Conduct"

Also thanks for all the replies to all who answered.

[Troianii]

I would not consider myself of having been in the army or a veteran in any way. I did sign up and ended up getting an Entry Level Separation (Uncharacterized Discharge) because I was not in more than 180 days, which they also say is like you were never in the military. So my question is do I have to say, "Yes I was in the military"? And If I do and I don't will they find out and what are repercussions?

It depends on the terms of your discharge. The term "veteran" is defined as "a person who—(A) served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released therefrom with other than a dishonorable discharge; [or] (B) was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability." Active Duty service only includes training time if the separation was due to an injury or line-of-duty death.

Why were you discharged? Failure to adapt? Did you receive a DD-214? If you did not, then you did not complete active duty service, are not a veteran, and you can say no, you did not serve as active duty military per regulation (and statute). If you received a DD-214, then you were considered to have been on active duty (which means you probably were injured, since you did not serve more than 180 days), and you are a veteran (for VA purposes) and should check "yes."

+1. nuff said.

[PoopyPants]

On the discharge sheet it reads:
"24. Character of Service: Uncharacterized"
"25. Separation Authority: AR 635-200, Chap 11"
"26. Separation Code: JGA"
"27. Reentry Code: 3"
"28. Narrative Reason For Separation: Entry Level Performance and Conduct"

Also thanks for all the replies to all who answered.

Does it say DD Form 214 at the bottom? As I said, that's really all you need to look at. If it does, then you have to answer yes. The other stuff is more important if you want to try to enlist again.

[SemperLegal]

I would err on the side of disclosure. This seems to be exactly what they are looking for with the question. But write an addendum.

Also, why not ask them anonymously?

[Dcc617]

Hey OP, I PMed you a few days ago with some more information. It's in your inbox, if you ever come back.