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What qualifies as a hardship discharge?
Terminology can get confusing because “hardship” and “dependency” discharges are often both loosely labeled “hardship.” Specifically, a hardship discharge is when the financial needs of family member(s) require more than the military member can provide while remaining in the military.
A hardship discharge is intended to be used as an instrument to alleviate personal hardship encountered by an enlisted member’s immediate family when discharge is the only solution. It will not be used as a means to rid the Service of a burden to the command.
How can I get an honorable discharge early?
Early Release for Education Department of Defense Directives allow a military member to be discharged early to pursue their education if they are within 90 days of their normal separation date. Sometimes a service will approve an educational discharge request of more than 90 days.
How do you get a hardship discharge from the military?
Generally, this discharge requires severe medical, psychological or financial problems in the member’s immediate family. Medical and psychological problems are termed dependency, while financial problems are described as hardship, though many military personnel use the terms interchangeably.
What is a hardship in the military?
(2) Hardship. Hardship exists when, in circumstances not involving death or disability of a member of a Soldiers family, separation from the service would materially affect the care or support of the Soldier’s family by materially alleviating undue hardship.
A general discharge can be completed in as little as 30 days but could take up to six months. Separation from the military can take longer than six months. It’s vital that you don’t procrastinate on starting the process. Separation starts with getting command approval.
Voluntary Separations. There are several ways this can happen. In some cases, members will be allowed to simply leave their contract and go on their merry way. However, members often incur a service commitment to the Guard or Reserves if they leave active duty early.
Here’s some options for getting out.
- Play the crazy card. Tell medical your losing it. You’ll go through some psychological screenings and process could take a while.
- Look up the early out policy. You can submit a request to your chain of command to leave the navy early.