Nope. Military mythology. No bennies for bailing before graduating, commissioning. </p>
<p>There is no “schlolarship” or “aid” from USNA, as there is no tuition, room or board charges. And thus there is no “transferring” of $$ to a college or university. It’s simply part of training for those appointed and enlisted. </p>
<p>And this would presume he would have to decline his scholarship from a college or university. Absent gross fraud or delayed commitment to hold the scholarship, from that institution, he’d probably have to reapply for admission and/or FA. Tough having cake and eating it too. </p>
<p>In any case, IF you believe HE is pondering this scenario, allow an unrequested 2 cents…that scholarship might be a better route. Take it and when he might determine he blew the chance of a lifetime by failing to accept offer of appointment to USNA, then reapply. In the meantime, if that fails, he still has his scholarship and original choice. </p>
<p>Better this way than consuming a USNA spot that cannot be filled by a transfer. Only plebes.</p>
<p>jumpseat - What “aid” are you talking about?<br>
If your son turns down a full ride to another college to attend USNA and he decides after a semester or year he wants his full ride back he probably won’t get it. </p>
<p>
You are indeed considered a veteran. You would not be elibible for any veteran educational benefits. You would be eligible to file for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) as an “independent” student since you would be a veteran. Understand though that federal money is very limited and won’t pay for a $40,000/year private education.</p>
<p>Agree with Whistle Pig - this is a tough decision, not without risk. Welcome to life!</p>
<p>yes, it is true. When you take the Oath you are Active Duty Navy. When you separate - either voluntary or involuntary, you will get a DD214. This is the document that proves your veteran status. It will state the type of discharge - either honorable, dishonorable, etc. It will also have a code on it that will state your eligibilty to rejoin the Navy.</p>
<p>Those who are injured while at the Academy and separate can be eligible for continued medical treatment through the VA. Other Veteran’s benefits generally don’t apply.
I should clarify that for FAFSA - your separation must be “other than dishonorable”.</p>
<p>Before it’s asked - Separation for a Honor code violation (if Navy even does that) are not dishonorable</p>
<p>As long as you have served (time at Academy counts) continuously for 90 days or greater (or 1 day of active duty service if killed or wounded in action) you are considered a veteran.</p>
<p>Luigi - you are correct. I was specifically answering the question about 1 or 2 years but that is a good point.</p>
<p>One more point - if you ever take a federal job the years spent at the academy count as years in service. If you take a public job - the years count and you can generally “buy back” that time into your pension. (Provided pensions are still around).</p>
<p>A lot of benefits - like education benefits require a specific time in service and time at a SA doesn’t qualify you for education benefits any way.
The biggie for most is being able to declare independent student status on the FAFSA. For those who choose to continue their education this can sometimes qualify them for more financial aid.</p>
<p>If you become ill or injured while on active duty you are eligible for VA medical care. Each separating mid or cadet is entitled to a complete medical exam on discharge and those with medical issues should probably not waive that.
Honestly, I don’t know about things like a VA home loan. I would not think that most who are separating are concerned about that anyway.</p>
<p>Some states offer free tuition at all state colleges to veterans who are residents of that state.</p>
<p>Connecticut recently changed their law when they found out a few disenrolled USCGA cadets (legally, as veterans) stayed in CT to take advantage of the offer. </p>
<p>90 days of living in CT and 90 in the Coast Guard made them eligible.</p>
<p>Tricare ends when separation occurs. There is no COBRA for military. Those who re-enroll can often go back on their parents insurance.</p>
<p>Funeral expenses? I <em>think</em> they can elect to buy the life insurance.
Official terminology? Not sure what you mean. Discharge - it can be honorable, dishonorable, other than dishonorable.<br>
From what I understand - dishonorable would be one who had serious legal issues.<br>
Mids/Cadets in who are separated voluntarily (without <em>issues</em>), academically or for honor offense (as long as it’s not a Legal issue) get honorable.</p>
<p>What would you think is the major long term issue??</p>
<p>As a point of clarification, your time at the Academy does not count in any way towards retirement. Furthermore, when you hit 20 years, the time does not count retro-actively (i.e. you need to 20 years to qualify for retirement, but when you hit the 20 years you jump to 24 years due to time at the Academy). </p>
<p>Its one of those anomalies of the military retirement program in which you are technically on active duty, but because of some magical flick of the wand, it does not count as “active duty.” To the point where when I fill out any paperwork or tell someone how long I’ve been in the Navy, I just say 3 years. In this respect I’m no different than my ROTC brothers, however its the priors who are at the real disadvantage. In many of the officer programs for prior enlisted, the enlisted members get to play college students for four years, with little responsibility to the military. I’m not saying that theres anything wrong with that, its a good deal, but all their time at college counts. Take the prior enlisted at the Academy, and they basically get a 4 year hole in their service record when it comes to retirement compensation.</p>
<p>I am aware of one situation where the mid was “administratively separated” from the Academy. I don’t think mids are “discharged” honorably or otherwise. An administrative separation results in a payback liability.
This, I think, is different from a “voluntary” separation.</p>
<p>Prior’s, for example, have a differfent classification upon graduation: O-1E which gives them credit for prior time, i.e. seen the classifaciton rates with O-1 w/ 2 or more years of service.</p>
<p>I think we could easily get well beyond the scope of this forum by discussing VA benefits. They are complex and can be complicated. Most municipalities employ full time specialists just to assist their constituents.</p>
<p>All SA cadets except perhaps MMA, not sure, are active duty and when separated will receive a DD Form-214. One of five types of discharges will be listed: honorable, general, other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable. BCD and dishonorable are stipulations of courts martial sentences only. The first three again are complex and based on serveral factors.</p>
<p>There are no length-of-service requirements for medical care, home loans, or Veterans Group Life Insurance. There are for education, burial, and a few others. Of course, type discharge applies in all cases. Again, don’t quote me on any of this. Go see your county expert. I think even the future spouse of the plebe who resigns plebe summer is eligible for a survivor’s pension. Again, way too complex to cover here. Just that, yes, they do exist.</p>
<p>In recent history, education benefits have gone from the DORing plebe being eligible, to a contributory/matching plan only, to a plan where no SA members were eligible no matter how long they served, to the present system which is, again don’t quote, I am going from memory, 6 yrs after graduation for SA grads. So, “expert” advice who has “not only been there, but done that” can run the gamut from nothing to free flight lessons and depending on their time frame, they could all be correct.</p>
Yes they are. IF they qualify for an honorable discharge this is what their DD214 will say.</p>
<p>Bill it might be helpful to look at this this way - when a mid/cadet leaves they are leaving the SCHOOL and leaving the MILITARY. When they leave the school they “separate” when they leave the military they are “discharged”. </p>
<p>Separation can be voluntary or involuntary. An involuntary separation can indeed result in an honorable discharge. The DD214 does not specify the specific reason for the discharge - i.e. academic, honor, voluntary but just says the TYPE of discharge received.
There are many permutations that can occur. It’s best not to assume.</p>
<p>The important thing to know is that anyone who is contemplating separation or facing separation should ask questions. Sometimes - you don’t know what you don’t know and they don’t always tell you explicitly what you should know.</p>
<p>Before anyone clarifys - this discussion does not apply to MMA mids. They are not Active Duty and do not get a DD214 from what I understand.</p>
<p>O-1 E refers to officers who have served at least 4 years and one day of enlisted service. Most priors at the academy have less enlisted time than that, so they would not qualify for the higher pay rate. </p>
<p>There are so many interpretations of the eligibility rules, I would suggest contacting your VA office or the local AMVETS representative for guidance. According to my sources, SA grads must fulfill their service obligation (usually 5 years, depending on service selection) before being eligible for GI Bill benefits.</p>
Yep. Check with the VA office. According to my sources, a few who have commenced it already, it is five years from graduation irregardless of any additional aviation commitment. After 8 years, they are eligible for the full amount. Check with the VA office.</p>
</p>