Military Question!

[FutureRecruit2]

I would like to know if a police dept will hire someone that got out of the after 5 years with a anything under a honorable discharge. Can you still get hired if you get out with a (General).

does anyone know What is the standard for most departments

[Kyle G]

well I think it would be different for different departments. But what your general is for would be a big factor. I would think it would be a problem. A general discharge basically means you are unable to fulfill your service commitment due to circumstance outside of your control. The department might look at that as something that could prevent you from doing the job you are applying for.

[ten08]

Yes, it's a problem. Not as big a problem as never having served at all but a problem. In a department of any size your ability to adapt to a quasi military environment is a major issue.

[richbrown123456]

I disagree with you ten, i think not serving at all would raise a lot less questions then having a discharge other then honorable. Esp. since being in the military gives you no brownie points in NYPD, and actually just makes your psych much more in depth.

I am 90 percent sure that Last year on the NYPD recruit site it said that you would receive a automatic disqualification if you had any discharge other then honorable. Now if you look at it, it says.

*Dishonorable discharge from the United States Military.

So that is a good sign, i am pretty sure the recruit handbook still says anything other then honorable discharge is a DQ, but mine is pretty old and if it still says it, it may just be outdated.

[richbrown123456]

O, i am sorry that i tried to answer your question for NYPD standards, I just noticed you say "most departments"

[Kyle G]

I disagree with you ten, i think not serving at all would raise a lot less questions then having a discharge other then honorable. Esp. since being in the military gives you no brownie points in NYPD, and actually just makes your psych much more in depth.

I am 90 percent sure that Last year on the NYPD recruit site it said that you would receive a automatic disqualification if you had any discharge other then honorable. Now if you look at it, it says.

*Dishonorable discharge from the United States Military.

So that is a good sign, i am pretty sure the recruit handbook still says anything other then honorable discharge is a DQ, but mine is pretty old and if it still says it, it may just be outdated.


Well there is a difference between something being an automatic dq and something that is able to jam you up. If someone has a 3 or 4 arrests but no convictions technically they are good to go by the minimum standards, but do you think they will get in? Plus do you know how hard it is to get a dishonorable? Its pretty much like a felony. I know a kid who got caught after breaking into like 4 barracks room with a whole array of stolen property and then punched an officer in the face and he got out on an "Other than Honorable Discharge." He almost got them to give him a general. I know another guy who missed ships movement as one of our 2 search and rescue swimmers. He was UA for 7 days and then turned himself in at the base. The proper procedure is to drug test you after you are UA and he popped for cocaine. His service obligation was up while he was on restriction and he actualy got out with an Honorable.



FutureRecruit2,
It really depends what your general was for. You said you served 5 years and then got out with a general. You don't hear of that happening to much unless it is a medical discharge which usually comes with disability. Which comes with a check but and a label, DAV (Disabled American Vet.) which can help you do a lot of things but joining a police department is not one of them.

[Call_me_Tom]

Plus do you know how hard it is to get a dishonorable? Its pretty much like a felony.Dishonorable IS a felony. If you have this type of discharge you were convicted in a Military court of a felony crime.

[Bearcat357]

DAV (Disabled American Vet.) which can help you do a lot of things but joining a police department is not one of them.

Hate to tell you sport, but there are plenty of Disabled Vets working as Police Officers in the US.... As long as you can pass a PT Test and are Medically Cleared....it can happen.... ;)

As for the OP....depends on what the discharge was for and the codes on your discharge.... Most agencies want a Honorable....some will allow for General depending on what it is for.....

Have to find out what agencies you want to work for....get with a recruiter or their web site...and go from there....