Which type of discharge indicates that a service member has completed their service satisfactorily?

An honorable discharge indicates that a service member has completed their service satisfactorily and met or exceeded the required standards of performance and conduct during their time in the military. This type of discharge reflects positively on the individual, acknowledging their service as commendable and worthy of recognition. It often qualifies the veteran for a variety of benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as educational assistance, healthcare, and other veteran services.

Other discharges, such as bad conduct and dishonorable, denote negative findings regarding the service member's conduct, typically due to disciplinary issues. A general under other than honorable discharge may suggest that, while the service member did not accumulate enough negative actions to warrant a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, their service was not entirely satisfactory either. Thus, these categories do not carry the same recognition or benefits that accompany an honorable discharge.