There are several types of military discharge that a military member may receive, and former service members who receive a less than honorable discharge may be wondering “Does an other than honorable discharge show up in a background check?”
With an Other Than Honorable Discharge (OTH), entering the civilian workforce can make some former service members nervous about background check results.
These and other questions are common, so one of the best things that can be done (immediately) is to learn how to do a background check on yourself so that you can see exactly what potential employers will see about your military record.
It all depends on the the exact type of military discharge recorded and whether or not it’s possible to have the discharge upgraded.
This guide provides all the information regarding, “does an other than honorable discharge show up in a background check,” when searching for civilian work.
Does a Military Discharge Show Up on a Background Check?
Before answering the question “Does an other than honorable discharge show up in a background check?” understanding the various types of discharge is necessary.
A military discharge is assigned to individuals when they leave active service to denote the conditions of departure. Each type of discharge is reserved for specific circumstances and falls under one of two types: administrative or punitive.3, 11, 16
Administrative discharges include:
- Entry-level Separation (ELS)
- General Discharge (GD)
- Honorable Discharge (HD)
- Medical Discharge
- Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge (OTH)
Punitive discharges include:
- Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)
- Dishonorable Discharge (DD)
- Dismissal (Officer Discharge)
Punitive discharges are most likely to coincide with a military conviction and will therefore show up indirectly on a background check through the individual’s criminal record. An OTH is sometimes the result of a civil conviction which would also appear on a criminal record and subsequently a background check.11
| Types of Military Discharges | Description |
| Entry-Level Separation (ELS) | An administrative discharge is reserved for service members who depart from service within the first six months. Individuals are not eligible for veteran benefits. |
| General Discharge | An administrative discharge is issued to individuals whose military service was satisfactory, but negative marks may prevent receiving an Honorable Discharge. Individuals are eligible for most veteran benefits, excluding GI Bill Benefits. |
| Honorable Discharge | This administrative discharge is the most commonly given, indicating that an individual met and exceeded military standards and performed military duties in exemplary fashion or was unable to fulfill duties through no fault of their own. Individuals are eligible for all veteran benefits. |
| Medical Discharge | An administrative discharge issued after medical evaluation demonstrates that an individual is unable to continue in service. Individuals may be eligible for veteran benefits. |
| Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge (OTH) | An administrative discharge is reserved for individuals whose conduct is not consistent with the moral standards of the military but is not punished within the military (e.g. security violations, civilian sentencing, adultery). Most cases are ineligible for veteran benefits. |
| Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) | A punitive discharge is processed through the military justice system and reserved for individuals whose conduct goes against military standards but does not warrant Dishonorable Discharge. Individuals are not eligible for veteran benefits. |
| Dishonorable Discharge (DD) | A punitive discharge is reserved for the most severe cases after a court-martial process. Individuals are not eligible for veteran benefits. |
| Dismissal (Officer Discharge) | A punitive discharge is reserved for commissioned officers following a court-martial process. Individuals are not eligible for veteran benefits. |
To recap, of the eight types of military discharge, there are four discharge types that result in adverse effects for the service member. The Uniform Code of Military Justice17outlines how various cases should be handled.
- Other Than Honorable Discharge (OTH)
- Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)
- Dishonorable Discharge (BD)
- Officer Discharge
An Other Than Honorable discharge is administrative in nature and may be the result of actions such as:14
- Drug violations
- Discipline issues
- Security violations
- Assault
- Civil convictions
- Being found guilty of adultery
- A pattern of conduct issues
An OTH functions like a firing from a job, and although there is no military court-martial, the individual loses:
- Rank and pay
- Benefits
- Veteran status
A Bad Conduct Discharge is punitive in nature and may be the result of actions such as:14
- Being intoxicated while on duty
- Receiving a DUI
- Being arrested for disorderly conduct
Because it is punitive in nature, a BCD is administered following a court-martial and may result in:11
- Prison time
- A fine
- Pay forfeiture
- Loss of rank
- Loss of veteran status
- Loss of veteran benefits
- Loss of the right to bear arms
A Dishonorable Discharge is a punitive discharge reserved for the most serious offenses, such as:14
- Treason
- Desertion
- Murder
- Sexual assault
- Fraud
- Espionage
These crimes result in a court-martial which may lead to severe punitive action, and usually results in:
- Prison time
- A fine
- Pay forfeiture
- Loss of rank
- Loss of veteran status
- Loss of veteran benefits
- Loss of the right to bear arms
- Disqualification from federal employment
- Loss of some civilian government benefits
An Officer Discharge may be punitive and is reserved for commissioned officers who have violated the military’s moral standards. Commissioned officers cannot receive a BCD or DD, but instead, receive a dismissal (a.k.a. Officer Discharge) following court-martial conviction.16
What Military Records Show Up on a Civilian Background Check?
What shows up on a background check is a common area of concern for individuals seeking employment. In answering the question “Does an other than honorable discharge show up in a background check?” it is useful to detail the exact information revealed in a civilian background check.
When a veteran discloses military service, the company conducting the civilian background check will obtain the veteran’s discharge papers (Form DD-214) and share permitted information with the employer.3
Permitted information includes:
- Dates of service
- Rank at time of discharge
- Pay at the time of discharge
- Work and training experience
- Jobs performed
And excludes:
- Information related to medical history
- Information related to discharge
Does Military Discharge Appear: Background Check Records?
A military discharge does not appear on civilian background check searches, though information related to the discharge (e.g. military convictions) may.
Military discharge likely appears on federal background checks, and anytime an applicant seeks a veteran’s preference for a job, they must supply the DD-214.3, 12
Does An Honorable Discharge Show Up In A Background Check?
Civilian background checks do not disclose discharge reasons, as a rule.3 However, if an individual is applying for a veteran’s preference, they will submit Form DD-214 to the employer, which does include discharge status. Additionally, a government-level background check will access more comprehensive military records, including discharge information.
All security clearance background check reports will also disclose the reason for the discharge.
Does A Dishonorable Discharge Show Up In A Background Check?
Although discharge status is not part of what an employer is permitted to access during the pre-employment process, Dishonorable Discharge (DD) is often associated with a court-martial and subsequent military conviction, which does show up on an individual’s criminal record.3, 7
Can An Employer Ask About Military Service?
If a veteran discloses military service during a job interview or application, an employer can ask relevant follow-up questions about dates of service, rank and pay, and experience and skills. An employer cannot ask about the reason an individual was discharged.
However, the DD 214 Form is included in under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and can be requested as long as the employer has consent.
This does not apply to government jobs or jobs requiring security clearance.3, 14
Are Court Martial Records Public?
Court-martial records are considered private and therefore not readily available to the general public. A court-martial will appear on an individual’s official military record which is accessible to federal employers.
Furthermore, if a court-martial results in a military conviction, that conviction will appear on an individual’s criminal record, which is public.3
Other Than Honorable Discharge Consequences
So, does an other than honorable discharge show up in a background check? The quick answer is “No, it does not.” However, if the OTH is associated with a civilian criminal conviction, that crime will show up on an individual’s criminal record, and thus, background check.
Although an Other Than Honorable Discharge does not necessarily result in a negative mark on an individual’s criminal record, it does appear permanently on the military record which is accessible to federal employers, making it much more difficult to secure government jobs.
Another considerable challenge for individuals with an OTH is the loss of VA benefits.15 While veterans may still be eligible for healthcare benefits for issues related directly to military service, they are not eligible for most other benefits.
Generally, individuals with an OTH discharge are not permitted to re-enlist in the military and likely have trouble obtaining government or security clearance jobs.2
Can You Get A Job With Other Than Honorable Discharge?
It is quite possible to get a job with an Other Than Honorable discharge. Employers for civilian jobs are barred from asking about discharge reasons, and the background check should produce the DD-214 without disclosing discharge status. Therefore, most candidates for civilian jobs will not be impacted by an OTH.
In contrast, an OTH does make it significantly more difficult for an individual to secure a government or security clearance job, as the discharge will be available to federal employers and the individual will likely be competing against other veterans who qualify for veterans’ preference.1, 15
How Long Does An Other Than Honorable Discharge Stay On Your Record
An Other Than Honorable discharge stays on an individual’s military record permanently, unless the individual successfully applies for a discharge upgrade.16
Can You Apply for a Military Discharge Upgrade?
Individuals who believe their military discharge was unjust or not properly handled can apply for a discharge upgrade through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.18
How Hard is it to Get Your Discharge Upgraded?
Having a discharge upgraded is a significant process, and a veteran must have evidence that the discharge was not properly handled to succeed in having it upgraded.16 According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs,18 individuals whose discharge was related to mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, or sexual orientation have a strong case for a discharge upgrade.
The National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc. (NOVA)19 is an excellent resource for individuals seeking to upgrade their discharge.
When Can I Upgrade My Discharge?
Upgrading a discharge is possible, but there are some rules. A discharge review must be initiated within fifteen years of the discharge date.16
How do I Get a DD-215?
A DD-215 is issued to amend a DD-214. Individuals who successfully obtain a discharge upgrade receive a DD-215.
For more information, contact local VA resources using the table below.
Not Disclosing Military Service: Can I Keep Silent About Military Service In a Job Interview?
It is never advisable to lie about military service when asked, but there is no law requiring former service members to volunteer that information during a job interview. Therefore, when an individual elects to remain silent about their military service, the background check company does not contact the military to obtain Form DD-214 (discharge papers).5
Applicants should weigh this choice carefully, as a lengthy gap in employment history due to omitting military service may come to attention during application review. Furthermore, individuals may not be able to demonstrate or verify their experience and skills without disclosing military service.
Veterans whose military service has ended under less than favorable conditions may have a difficult time adjusting to civilian life and finding employment. As anxiety about the pre-employment process mounts, knowing the options available and the answer to the question of, “Does an other than honorable discharge show up in a background check?” can help eliminate the stress and work to avoid problems with potential employers.
