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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?

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jgh1992 wrote: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.

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".

jgh1992 wrote: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."

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.

PoopyPants wrote:

jgh1992 wrote: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.

jgh1992 wrote: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.

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?

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