Definition of "veteran" for CHL fees?

[Blinking Dog]

I'm renewing my CHL, and I'm a bit confused as to what to pay. I served about 10 years in the USAR, and was honorably discharged over 10 years ago. I found an honorable discharge form in my files, but it isn't a DD-214. The pdf that is supposed to instruct as to what fee to pay does say "DD‐214 OR other official document showing honorable discharge from the military" so perhaps my form (DD-256A) will suffice. What I'm generally confused about, is on one point of the CHL web site it implies you have to have retired from the military, which I didn't, and elsewhere it says simply "honorably discharged."

Anyone have any idea if I should get the military discount?

[dicion]

I'm renewing my CHL, and I'm a bit confused as to what to pay. I served about 10 years in the USAR, and was honorably discharged over 10 years ago. I found an honorable discharge form in my files, but it isn't a DD-214. The pdf that is supposed to instruct as to what fee to pay does say "DD‐214 OR other official document showing honorable discharge from the military" so perhaps my form (DD-256A) will suffice. What I'm generally confused about, is on one point of the CHL web site it implies you have to have retired from the military, which I didn't, and elsewhere it says simply "honorably discharged."

Anyone have any idea if I should get the military discount?

I'm pretty sure You qualify. Your DD-256A should suffice to DPS.
You should have gotten a DD-214, but if you didn't, or lost it, you can request a new one.

[Crossfire]

Anything that proves you were discharged under honorable circumstances works to get you that discount. Just send it in with your class paperwork. If DPS doesn't like it, they will surely let you know.

[terryg]

When applying online, I also noticed that DPS used 'retired' in place of 'honorably discharged' on a couple of the pages.

[OldCannon]

Do yourself a favor and get a new DD-214, then lock it in your safe. I seem to find that I need mine about once every two years for various things, and I regard it as something that's just as important as my birth certificate.

[terryg]

Do yourself a favor and get a new DD-214, then lock it in your safe. I seem to find that I need mine about once every two years for various things, and I regard it as something that's just as important as my birth certificate.

Good advice.

[Abraham]

Produce a DD-214 at Home Depot or Lowe's and get a 10% discount.

[MoJo]

File a copy of your DD214 at the County Courthouse. It is always accessable and if you need a certified copy they'll certify it for a couple of bucks or so. Last time I needed a copy of my DD214 one uncertified copy was free!

[beerplug]

Anyone know who to contact to get a copy of your DD-214. New where mine was for years, then wife decided to clean house. Guess it feel into old trash. Anyway, sorry if I hijacked the thread for this, but I didn't know you could get a discout with it for your CHL. I guess I thought it meant Retired. Thanks!

[Blinking Dog]

Thanks everyone. I re-read the CHL statutes, and I suppose so long as the USAR is an auxillary of the Army, then I'm able to get the discount.

Reading it that way, I should have gotten the discount on my initial CHL fees too. I must have read "veteran" or "retired" and didn't take it to mean me. There is a semantics issue I suppose. When I read "veteran" I think "someone who served in combat", which I didn't. And when I read "retired" I think "served 20 years and earned a retirement check", which I didn't. I have such a deep respect for those who served in harm's way, and those who served through retirement, that I don't even want to come close to impersonating someone like that.

Not sure the CHL web site takes such a strict meaning. So when I saw "was honorably discharged from..." that got me thinking perhaps I do qualify.

Anyway, how does one go about getting a DD214?

[OldCannon]

Replacement DD-214: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

P.S> - Abraham, ty for the thing about Lowes/Home Depot...did not know that! I wonder if there's a website that has a compendium of national discounts given to vets?

[terryg]

Produce a DD-214 at Home Depot or Lowe's and get a 10% discount.

Seriously???? I have never heard that before. Looks like I'll start carrying mine around with me ...

[terryg]

I must have read "veteran" or "retired" and didn't take it to mean me. There is a semantics issue I suppose. When I read "veteran" I think "someone who served in combat", which I didn't. And when I read "retired" I think "served 20 years and earned a retirement check", which I didn't.

Well retired and honorably discharged are unquestionably two different things. The DPS website is using the interchangeable which is an error and leads to the type of confusion you are experiencing.

[G26ster]

The definition of "veteran" is in Title 38, USC, 101. It says, in part:
The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

[Pawpaw]

Produce a DD-214 at Home Depot or Lowe's and get a 10% discount.

Seriously???? I have never heard that before. Looks like I'll start carrying mine around with me ...

I show my Retired ID card every time I make a purchase at Home Depot. 10% is 10%, you know.