What kind of discharge is given for satisfactory performance but does not qualify for full benefits?

A general discharge is awarded when a service member's performance meets the requirements of duty but does not reach the level required for an honorable discharge. This type of discharge indicates that the individual fulfilled their obligations satisfactorily, but there may have been issues such as minor misconduct or failure to meet certain standards that preclude earning the highest level of discharge.

While a general discharge does not eliminate access to certain benefits, it does limit eligibility, especially in comparison to an honorable discharge, which opens the door to a wider range of veterans’ benefits. It reflects an acknowledgment that the individual served but may not have done so in a way that substantially qualifies for the full spectrum of benefits available to veterans who receive honorable discharges.