All About the Military Separation Process: Expert Tips & In-Depth Guide

Your active-duty service is ending, and you’re approaching a major life transition. Military separation can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you can set yourself up for success.

From understanding discharge types to planning your post-military career, this guide offers practical steps and resources to help you move forward with confidence.

• ETS (Expiration of Term of Service): Applies to Army and Air Force enlisted members.
• EAOS (End of Active Duty Obligated Service): Applies to Navy and Marine Corps enlisted members.
• ADSO (Active Duty Service Obligation): Applies to officers and warrant officers.

When your service commitment is complete, you may reenlist, continue in a commissioned career, or separate from the military. Upon separation, most members move from active duty to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). While in IRR, you won’t perform regular duties but may be called for an occasional muster.

Your obligated last day on active duty is listed in your official personnel file. Planning early, ideally one year out, will help you navigate this transition more smoothly.

6–12 Months Out

• Define your post-military career goals
• Update your resume
• Schedule Household Goods counseling
• Complete medical and dental check-ups
• Review your VA health benefits eligibility
• Sign up for LinkedIn Premium (free for one year)

4–6 Months Out

• Complete your Separation Health Assessment
• Access copies of medical records
• Update your will and legal documents
• Confirm eligibility for terminal leave or leave payout
• File a disability claim if needed
• Connect with an American Job Center
• Complete Capstone with your TAP counselor

3 Months Out

• Review your Pre-Separation Checklist (DD2648)
• Research health and life insurance options
• Apply for VA disability compensation
• Register for VA Healthcare online
• Meet with a VA Benefits Advisor
• Apply for VA Education and Career Counseling

90 Days Out

• Begin applying and interviewing for jobs
• Finalize relocation plans
• Close out any open disability claims

Your type of discharge determines your benefits eligibility. Review your statement of benefits carefully. Common programs include:

• VA disability compensation
• VA home loan benefits
• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• TRICARE or CHCBP health coverage
• DoD benefits such as commissary, exchange, and MWR access

Your DD 2586 (Verification of Military Experience and Training) translates your skills into civilian terms. It includes:

• Job-relevant military experience
• Education accomplishments
• Recommended college credits
• Civilian job equivalents

Use this document to identify job opportunities and show employers how your military experience applies to their roles.

Before leaving, access your records through eBenefits, milConnect, or the VA’s Blue Button tool. These platforms provide medical history, benefits letters, and service documents.

Depending on your circumstances and military branch, there may be one or more types of leave available to you. Especially for those going through military separation, leave is paid time off that should be used to help you transition to civilian life.

• Permissive Temporary Duty (PTD): For service members who are involuntarily separated under honorable conditions, up to 10 days of permissive temporary duty may be available to prepare for relocating and job hunting. Furthermore, military spouses may fly space-available on military aircraft for housing or employment opportunities. It’s important to note that service members and spouses voluntarily separating are not eligible for PTD. Don’t worry, though! Those who are voluntarily separating from the military have their own set of leave benefits to help during this transitional period.
• Regular Leave: When nearing separation, service members with leave available may request up to 30 days of regular leave. This is especially beneficial to those who are moving across the country to settle in and establish a new life.
• Terminal Leave: Terminal leave is not much different from regular leave, except you won’t have to return to your duty station. As such, military members use terminal leave to make their final moving arrangements without the hassle of having to return to work afterward.
• Selling Back Leave: If you are separating with an honorable discharge, you may request cash payment for any leave you still have available. Selling back leave can be helpful with the cost of a new home or even a short period of time without a job.

Your DD Form 214 is a document issued upon a military service member’s retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. You’ll need this document to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in Veterans’ organizations. It is essential that your military service records are correct before your DD-214 is issued.

Mistakes are much easier to fix before they move over to Veteran Affairs. Unfortunately, mistakes in this documentation could lead to lapses in your medical coverage or eligibility for benefits. However, if it happens, you can correct mistakes via DD Form 149.

An honorable discharge is given to those who completed their military service, including those who separate at the end of their enlistment contract or officer service, as well as those who retire. An honorable discharge is generally given if you leave the military due to a medical issue, a reduction in force, or another administrative reason. With an honorable discharge, you can pursue other government employment and use all of your Veterans’ benefits, such as the VA loan and VA healthcare.

If you have specific reasons within your control that prevented you from success in the military, such as failing to meet fitness standards, you may receive a general discharge. Minor misconduct can also result in a general discharge. This is not punitive, but it does not come with all the benefits of an honorable discharge. In most cases, however, it doesn’t prevent hiring and working within the federal government after separation.

An other than honorable (OTH) discharge is given to those with more serious misconduct, such as breaking articles within the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the legal document that outlines requirements for those in the military. Drug use, security violations, and assault are all examples of things punishable under the UCMJ that can result in an OTH discharge. Many benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs are not provided in these cases.

A bad conduct discharge is given when specific conduct, such as a DUI, warrants involuntary separation from military service. Some overlap exists between what could trigger an OTH and a bad conduct discharge. Military courts consider past conduct and performance when determining which type of discharge to give. A bad conduct discharge is considered punitive and can come with jail time within the military justice system.

A dishonorable discharge is the most severe and punitive type of discharge and is reserved for serious misconduct, infractions, and criminal activity. Murder, sexual assault, treason, and other serious crimes are reasons for dishonorable discharge. In most cases, a service member will receive a dishonorable discharge after serving time in military prison and will lose their Veteran status as well as all benefits.

Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) members are completing their initial military service obligation’s eight-year commitment. These members are considered separate from active duty but are subject to recall to active duty in a national emergency.

Just like each branch has military separation codes, they also have reenlistment codes (RE). These codes determine an individual’s eligibility to reenlist based on the character of their discharge. For example, someone who is coded as dishonorably discharged is likely not to receive an RE.

On the other hand, service members who left on good terms are likely to have a military separation code eligible for an RE.

Thousands of service members and their families transition to civilian life every year, and the government provides a variety of resources to make it a smooth process. Notably, the TAP program provides information and resources to service members and their families to prepare for the move off of the installation for good. Service members typically begin the TAP at least a year before separation.

Take advantage of pre-separation counseling and then top off your transition experience with optional courses that go beyond the minimum requirements. Each of the branches has individual processes for mandatory transition assistance counseling for separating service members during the last year of active duty.

The TAP will provide helpful guidelines, but you’ll still want to double-check often that you are going in the right direction. It’s essential to stay focused throughout the transition and fully lean into the benefits you’ve earned.

Active-duty service members usually qualify for TRICARE’s Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) or Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), but that’s not helpful to those separating from the military. While you only have 90 days from separation to find your new health plan, there is temporary healthcare support for service members transitioning out of the military.

TAMP gives former military members about 180 days of healthcare coverage. This coverage is temporary, but it gives you enough time to find a more long-term solution. CHCBP is available for up to 36 months to those who are no longer eligible for the TRICARE program.

It’s important to note that eligibility for these programs will depend on your individual circumstances.

Upon separating from the military, you can look forward to extra income in the form of moving allowance, military separation pay, unemployment pay and even VA compensation. These funds are in place to help service members seamlessly transition out of the military while also ensuring they have a successful start to their new life.

Although you likely know your way around PCS moves by now, don’t assume your final move will be routine. Work with your installation’s personal property office to prepare for your last move. This way, no surprise steps or costs will pop up in the middle of your move.

• Service members with over eight years of active duty: You can look forward to the government covering the cost of your move to your new home as long as it is within the United States. Of course, this is dependent on your type of discharge.
• Service members with less than eight years of active duty: The government pays for moving your household to your home of record or where you were living when you entered active duty. If you plan to move anywhere else, you will be asked to pay the additional costs. Keep in mind that your move must be on the schedule within 180 days of your active-duty release date!

If you are planning to move internationally after your military separation, you will need to plan for some added costs. There are different allowances and resources available to those moving outside of the country. Consult with your personal property officer about what resources are available to you based on your discharge type and other defining criteria.

Suppose you are separating with severance, separation, or readjustment pay due to being involuntarily released from active duty. If you are separating after at least eight years of active duty, you will have one year from the date of separation from active duty to schedule your move.

This allotted time is provided to give military members who have been involuntarily discharged enough time to plan their move and secure their post-military job.

A personally procured move (PPM) is also known as a DITY move, meaning you pack, load, move, and unload your household without the help of a government-contracted mover. Your branch determines monetary advances for a PPM during military separation.

• Army: No advance payment is available to separating service members in the Army
• Marine Corps: Separating service members can receive an advance of up to 50% of the 95% PPM incentive payment
• Navy: No advance payment is available to separating service members in the Navy
• Air Force: Separating service members may be eligible to receive 60% of the 95% PPM incentive payment in advance
• Coast Guard: Separating active-duty service members are permitted an advance to cover the estimated cost from a rental company for a moving truck, using as much as 60% of the 95% incentive payment

The amount of household goods the military will move for you is determined by your final rank when you separate from active military service. Contact your installation transportation office to schedule your move. Plan early to increase the odds of getting the dates you want.

For those facing difficulty securing employment, Unemployment Compensation for Ex-service members (UCX) offers temporary financial relief, provided you’ve been honorably discharged. To check eligibility, bring your DD-214 form to your nearest American Job Center, where staff can guide you through the process. You might also qualify for your state’s regular unemployment insurance benefits.

If you were involuntarily separated from service, you could be entitled to a lump sum Involuntary Separation Pay (ISP), though eligibility depends on your branch, discharge type, and other criteria.

Veterans dealing with service-connected disabilities may also be eligible for tax-free VA compensation, which varies based on the severity of the condition.

Additionally, wartime Veterans might qualify for a VA pension, so it’s worth checking your status. Lastly, if you contributed to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) during your service, that account can provide retirement income based on your contributions. A financial advisor can help ensure you access these funds efficiently while avoiding penalties.

Housing is one of the biggest decisions post-separation. Consider your lifestyle and budget, and whether to rent or buy.

VA Home Loans can help you buy or refinance with no down payment and favorable rates. AHRN.com provides housing resources, listings, and PCS tools to support your move.

This country has long supported those who serve in the armed services with benefits and transition support. Although the military offers support, no single program will address all family needs. To ensure your family’s needs are met even after you separate from the military, consider where you may need the most support once you leave.

Whether you anticipate needing temporary health insurance or assistance in finding a home, there are a plethora of military programs to ensure you’re taken care of as you transition. With careful planning and strategic preparation, your military separation will be smooth and successful.