If I Have Both an Honorable and General Discharge, Can I Get the GI Bill?

March 11th, 2010
by Ron Kness
I was recently discharged from the Air Force after 6 yrs of service. I received a general discharge in my second term of service. Is my first 4 yrs of service (Honorable) considered in the post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility process. My application for the benefit is still waiting to be processed. Thanks a lot — AB

Yes, AB your Honorable discharge, for your first term of service, will be considered and should (the operative word is should) get you approved for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I’m basing this assumption off of the pamphlet:

THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL -ACTIVE DUTY

The Simple Facts: What You Need to Know As You Leave Active Duty:

  • Receive a fully honorable discharge for the qualifying period of service.
  • Discharges “under honorable conditions” and “general” discharges don’t establish eligibility for MGIB. However, you may be able to qualify if you receive an honorable discharge from another period of service.

I run into this situation a couple of times, so it should work out for you.

Leave a Reply