musterout

Muster out is a term used to describe the formal discharge of a person from military service after completing an obligation or leaving active duty. It refers to the process of ending an individual’s service and releasing them from duties associated with their unit and branch of the armed forces.

The term originates from the practice of mustering troops for service and later releasing them from duty. It has been used in various militaries, including those of the United States and the United Kingdom, and appears in historical and contemporary contexts to denote the end of active military service.

The muster-out process typically involves administrative steps to settle accounts, update personnel records, and issue a discharge document. In many countries, the discharge form records the service dates, final rank, and discharge status. In the United States, the official record upon leaving active duty is commonly a discharge certificate or equivalent document that notes the discharge type, such as honorable, general, or other-than-honorable. The discharge status influences veterans’ eligibility for benefits, education programs, and the right to reenlistment.

Types of discharge generally reflect the circumstances of separation and can affect future eligibility for benefits or re-entry into service. While “muster out” is still understood, modern official language tends to use terms like “discharge from military service,” “separation,” or “retirement” depending on the context and duration of service.

Historically common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the phrase persists in documentation and jargon, though contemporary usage often favors more precise terms.