{"id":353822,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/administrative-separation-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T20:25:06","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T01:25:06","slug":"administrative-separation-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/administrative-separation-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Administrative Separation: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Administrative Separation: The Basics<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

An Other than Honorable (OTH) characterization results from a pattern of behavior, act(s) or omission(s) that are a significant departure from conduct expected of military members. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The amount of time military service members serve usually is determined by their enlistment contract — but not always. Military careers can prematurely come to end due to disciplinary issues, too. One such route is an administrative separation.<\/p>\r\n

There are actually two types of separations for enlisted service members: administrative separations and punitive discharges. A punitive discharge typically occurs after a judicial conviction at a court-martial<\/a>, often via dishonorable discharge. An administrative separation is when your command seeks to involuntarily separate you through the administrative (non-judicial) process.<\/p>\r\n

An administrative separation can be a big deal, akin to being fired from a job<\/a> for civilians (albeit with more administrative steps). This can occur for any number of reasons, including:<\/p>\r\n