Worried about other than honorable discharge after 20 years.

Belle Epoque · Dec 30, 2010

Did your BON at any point ask specifically about military experience? Because no such disclosure was asked of me so I'm wondering if it's even something you need to worry about. It you weren't specifically requested to disclose this info, then you didn't lie about anything. I think maybe you're over-thinking it but why not get the facts from your BON before stressing over it.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2010

All I can add is that I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. People make stupid mistakes when they are young and it really sucks that they can sometime shadow you for the rest of your life.

I'm pretty sure the BON has forgiven other issues (such as old, undisclosed crimes) so I can't imagine they won't forgive this.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2010

OP, I seriously doubt the BON will hand down anything harsh. Are you sure that you HAVE to turn it in to the BON? They do extensive background checks, and if they found a blip on the radar screen, they would have followed up on that quickly.

I am sorry that this is coming to bite you in the butt after so long.

lsk40 · Dec 30, 2010

Don't worry about it it will change over in 6 months I know a lot of people with this discharge

lsk40 · Dec 30, 2010

oh yeah you r very lucky I really don't understand why people r saying they r sorry for you it may have been 20 years ago but it was still wrong and the millitary really could have brought you up on charges so consider yourself lucky

LunchClubber · Dec 30, 2010

happy new year!

wow, this is a fascinating topic.

everyone does dumb things in their youth. generally, those indiscretions are not as stupid or big as deserting from the military. like it or not, you were a deserter (and that is one of the worst titles anyone can have).

what bothers me the most is your statement that you didn't believe you had been in a military. you signed a military contract (probably with a significant amount of fanfare), shipped off via military transportation, cashed military paychecks, ate military food, lived in military billets and trained daily in military topics - and you look back and don't see that you were in the military?

that doesn't sound honorable. i think a less than honorable discharge is appropriate.

but, since this isn't a criminal offense, i do not see why your bon has to be notified.

my bon never asked about my military status nor did they ask for a dd214.

good luck

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2010

The bad news- you are technically a deserter from the armed forces. The good news- the military has no interest in prosecuting you as evidenced by the other than honorable discharge rather than a bad conduct discharge and criminal charges. Not to offend you, but it's hard for me to imagine that you didn't get a copy of your enlistment contract when you enlisted and if you had given the information to the person you spoke to about resolving the issue many years ago you wouldn't be in this boat. It sounds like the military lost some paperwork years ago and probably recently discovered it again. Unfortunately when we make mistakes we have to pay the price for those mistakes, sometimes later than sooner.

the OP is not a deserter ... AWOL but not a deserter it's only desertion if you leave the field of battle , although latterly it's extended to include those warned off for deployment.

OP when if ever did you last recieve pay from the military ?

caliotter3 · Dec 31, 2010

Your SSN must have come up after 20 years, because you would have been eligible for retirement pay and somehow, somewhere, your SSN was still there gathering dust in a computer data base. I would just go along with what they tell you to do to get this resolved.

fakebee · Dec 31, 2010

Zippy GBR- read Article 85 Uniform Code of Military Justice.

NurseJZ · Dec 31, 2010

thanks everyone for your replies. i appreciate all of your comments.

yes, this was a mistake i made a long time ago. i blame no one but myself. i have nothing bad to say about the military. i am just a little shocked it took 20 years for them to decide that i needed to be discharged.

the eligibility questions for license renewal form states:

“have you, within the past 24 months or since your last renewal, for any criminal offense, including those pending appeal

j. been subject of a court-martial; article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?”

my thoughts were that i should submit my dd214 with an explanation as soon as possible to the bon based on letter “j”. however, now looking at it closer this may not be necessary. i have never been convicted of a crime nor do i have any pending appeal. i will receive a non punitive, administrative discharge from the military.

i would hate for the bon to think i was being deceptive by not answering this question correctly.

please let me know your thoughts.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2010

j. been subject of a court-martial; article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?”

have you read article 15? you can count court-martial out and you said the discharge is not considered punitive so punishment and judgment are out. the word "action".. well i'm not sure if this would fall over them taking "action" or not.

if article 15 doesn't apply to this situation, i really don't think you need to take any action with the bon.

fakebee · Dec 31, 2010

Consult a lawyer who specializes in military law- you can probably resolve this over the phone for minimal cost and it's money well spent. I believe you're in the clear with the BON but I would get a professional opinion anyway. Better safe than sorry. Hope it turns out positively for you.