DD214

[Hunter50]

If someone was enlisted before getting into CGA and rec’d a DD214 with an Honorable discharge but then had a DUI and was disenrolled from academy and rec’d another DD214 with a General discharge but under honorable conditions, is he still allowed to use his original DD214 (Honorable) for his VA Educational benefits?

 

[Capt MJ]

If someone was enlisted before getting into CGA and rec’d a DD214 with an Honorable discharge but then had a DUI and was disenrolled from academy and rec’d another DD214 with a General discharge but under honorable conditions, is he still allowed to use his original DD214 (Honorable) for his VA Educational benefits?

The DD-214 is the critical document. You can research va.gov about veteran eligibility definitions, but I’ve helped you out below. Both your DD-214s are fine for this purpose.

I encourage you to explore your state veterans’ department (it might have different names at your state.gov website), which will list what your veterans’ benefits are for your state of residence, which are separate from the federal VA benefits.

And, your state and county, or larger city, might have a veteran services office (or similar name), with trained and certified benefits counselors.

Veteran service organizations such as VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS, etc., have volunteers at their local chapter who are trained benefits counselor. All free. You don’t have to be a member. Go to the home page for the national organization to search.

These days, almost every college has a veterans’ education benefit counselor in the Registrar, Admissions or Bursar offices. Just google “veteran education services at Acme College.”


Copied from va.gov, bolding mine:
38 U.S.C. § 101(2) provides:
The term "veteran" means a person who served
in the active military, naval, or air service, and
who was discharged or released therefrom
under conditions other than dishonorable.

 

[USMC Crayons]

If someone was enlisted before getting into CGA and rec’d a DD214 with an Honorable discharge but then had a DUI and was disenrolled from academy and rec’d another DD214 with a General discharge but under honorable conditions, is he still allowed to use his original DD214 (Honorable) for his VA Educational benefits?

Since you had a qualifying period of service with the initial enlistment, you are good to go for GI Bill. The fact that you had a subsequent period that did not result in an honorable discharge does not affect your ability to access services. Unlike many VA benefits, GI Bill requires a honorable discharge to be eligible (more strict that the VA home loan program for example). This is one of the few "protections" for enlisted members..once you have completed a qualifying period, those benefits cannot be taken away, even if you have a DD.

 

[jrlowscot]

Just curious, but if initial enlistment was shortened to attend academy, let’s say only 2 years, would they still receive full benefits? Not sure if there is a length of service requirement.

 

[USMC Crayons]

Just curious, but if initial enlistment was shortened to attend academy, let’s say only 2 years, would they still receive full benefits? Not sure if there is a length of service requirement.

You have to serve 36 months to receive the full benefit, less than that you receive a reduced payout. 24 to 29 months you only get 80%. Still a smoking deal compared to the old Montgomery GI Bill that was practically worthless.