otherthanhonorable

Otherthanhonorable is a stylized term used to refer to the "Other Than Honorable" discharge status within the United States military. This discharge type is an administrative characterization applied to service members whose conduct or performance is judged to fall short of acceptable standards, but it is not a formal criminal conviction. It sits among the five traditional discharge categories: Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct, and Dishonorable.

The determination typically arises from command decisions, investigations into misconduct, or administrative separations. Procedures and criteria can vary by service branch, and an OTH discharge does not necessarily require a court-martial, though serious offenses can lead to more severe dispositions. Reasons for an OTH designation commonly include misconduct, poor performance, or violations of laws and regulations, but each case is context-dependent.

Consequences are significant for veterans. An Other Than Honorable discharge generally limits eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and can affect civilian employment, education benefits, and access to certain government programs. Re-enlistment is usually restricted. Veterans may seek a discharge upgrade through a Discharge Review Board or a Board for Correction of Military Records, arguing mitigating circumstances or errors in the original characterization. Successful upgrades can change the status to General Under Honorable Conditions or Honorable, with corresponding restoration of some benefits.

In public and policy discussions, the term "otherthanhonorable" is often associated with debates on veteran benefits, accountability, and the handling of misconduct within the armed forces. See also: discharge types, VA benefits, discharge upgrade processes.