Every service member gets some kind of formal discharge from the armed services when the term of service is over. The best kind, an Honorable Discharge, is given in 90% of all discharges if the vet committed no major military offenses, and was a good service member, the discharge papers will be honorable entitling the vet to apply for VA benefits, Montgomery GI Bill benefits, and to qualify for federal, state and local veterans preferences in hiring. The next best kind of discharge is a General Discharge, which is given under honorable conditions to a service member whose service was not so good, but not bad enough to be less than honorableyou lose your GI bill benefits, and veterans preferences but may still qualify for VA benefits