You have to have two years of consecutive active duty after 1980. Doesn't matter wartime or not. OR
OR
Completed obligated period of service. Meaning called to active or served obligated time. Example. Desert storm. Called to active. Less than two years BUT served obligated time. Check remarks section on Dd214. It will say meet has completed obligated period of service.
Now before 1980 all you has to do was serve a day other than a rice duty for training. Example bay of pigs/Cuban middle crisis or Berlin airlift
OR of course be SC
http://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin21/m21_1/mr/part3/subptii/ch06/pt03_sp02_ch06.doc
4. Minimum Active Duty Service Requirements, Continued
b. Entitlement to VA Benefits When the Minimum Active Duty Requirements Are Not Met
An individual who does not meet the minimum active duty service requirements is not eligible for any benefit under 38 U.S.C. or under any other law administered by VA except
benefits for, or in connection with, a SC disability or death
insurance benefits provided by 38 U.S.C. Chapter 19, and/or
refunds of a participants contributions to the educational benefits program provided by 38 U.S.C. Chapter 32.
c. Exceptions to the Minimum Active Duty Requirement
The table below outlines exceptions to the minimum active duty requirements.
Exception
Description/Restrictions
Discharge under 10 U.S.C. § 1171
Description:
Allows for an early-out discharge within three months of the expiration of the term of enlistment or extended enlistment.
Note: This discharge is not available to officers.
Restrictions for persons in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps:
This discharge is not available to persons in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps who are discharged with less than 33 months of service, as the minimum period of enlistment for these branches of service is three years.
Restrictions for persons in the Army:
This discharge is not available to persons in the Army who are discharged with less than 21 months of service, as the minimum period of enlistment is two years.
Acceptable narrative reasons on DD Form 214:
Most discharges under 10 U.S.C. § 1171 have one of the following narrative reasons for discharge on the DD Form 214:
Overseas Returnee
Expiration of Term of Service, or
Completion of Required Service.
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