..Attention..
To be sure you understand the regulations, please call or email the Military Counseling Network for free information.

Unsatisfactory Performance Discharge:

You may be talented and intelligent, but just not cut out for military life. Is it unlikely that you'll make it through any further training? Have you no potential for military advancement or leadership? Do your evaluations show that you can't keep up to the "standards" of your military job? Are you financially "irresponsible"? Unsanitary? If you answer "yes" to any of these, you may qualify for separation. But by bringing your unsatisfactory performance to your commander's attention, you risk a discharge for misconduct, which may be less than honorable and can result in a loss of veterans benefits. However, if you make it clear that your attitude and performance are not intentional or your fault, you might be able to get an Honorable discharge. If you are in entry level status, you will receive an Entry Level Performance and Conduct discharge.

Your military service record may provide much of the documentation you need for this separation, especially if it contains low evaluations, poor aptitude and test scores, and records of counseling or unsuccessful attempts at rehabilitation. Help your case along by getting an examination with civilian or military psychiatrists who can report on your problems with work and life in the military. Give your command any such reports, and ask sympathetic clergy members, medical officers, or other professionals to submit letters explaining how a discharge would be best for both you and the military. Once your command has all of this material, request a meeting to discuss it. If your commander refuses to deal with it, consider going to the next level of command or getting help from your Congress member.