Applying for CHL as a veteran

[luftex]

Howdy all!

This past Saturday, (20 Jun 09) I took my CHL course. But my application has no place on it for me to apply with the 'veteran' status. I asked my instructor about how to fill it out properly and he wasn't sure. He's called and emailed Austin but as of now has gotten no answer. I was wondering if someone here might know the answer. I've got both of my DD214 (prior service) ready to go along with my packet, but stuck on this.

Thanks!

Robert

[dicion]

Just send in your 214 along with your $70 payment. Make sure its the one that says 'Honorable discharge' on it somewhere. I sent the wrong one first, and had to resend the copy with that on it.

Maybe include a note that it's a Veteran discount, but if there's no box to check, then you shouldn't need to check one.

[luftex]

Thanks, I appreciate that. I JUST hate to sit around wasting time waiting for the answer, already had to wait long enough just to get in the class, NOW I'm ready to get this show on the road!

Robert

[Crossfire]

On the back, where it has the fee schedule, make your own little box for "Military Discount" Check the box, write in $70 for the fee. Include a copy of your DD-214 (make sure it shows that you were honorably discharged)

If you were discharged less than a year ago, write "Fee Waived for Military" and include a copy of your LES and military ID.

[luftex]

And do the same on the front of the application where it says: Are you applying under any of the following special conditions?

thanks!!

[joe817]

I might suggest sending in your DD252A also(Honorable Discharge Certificate). The one suitable for framing.......couldn't hurt.

[Right2Carry]

All you need is your DD214 with honorable discharge. That is all I sent in and I just got my renewal license in the mail.

[HighHandicap]

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I hate starting new ones for similar topics.

I was never issued a DD214 when I got out of the Army National Guard. Instead, I sent in a copy of my National Guard Honorable Discharge certificate, a statement of my retirement points, and some printed orders regarding my separation of service. Do you think that will be sufficient to prove my status as a veteran with honorable service or are they likely to kick it back to me?

In the meantime, I've sent a request to the National Archives and the SD National Guard for a copy of my DD214. Hopefully I'll have a response from them quickly in case DPS decides they have to have my DD214.

[Quahog]

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I hate starting new ones for similar topics.

I was never issued a DD214 when I got out of the Army National Guard. Instead, I sent in a copy of my National Guard Honorable Discharge certificate, a statement of my retirement points, and some printed orders regarding my separation of service. Do you think that will be sufficient to prove my status as a veteran with honorable service or are they likely to kick it back to me?

In the meantime, I've sent a request to the National Archives and the SD National Guard for a copy of my DD214. Hopefully I'll have a response from them quickly in case DPS decides they have to have my DD214.

According to the Texas DPS FAQ, it says "Retired military personnel or veterans need to provide a copy of your retired military credentials and a copy of your DD-214 that shows the type of discharge you received."

In my case, I had to get an updated DD-214 and I went the route you did. Took about two weeks and the updated records came in the mail. Good luck!

[HighHandicap]

I emailed DPS this morning and told them about my situation. The response stated that the honorable discharge certificate will be sufficient. Woohoo! Now I just have to learn to be patient while they process it.

[ogrider]

Is the fee for a Vet $70 or $35?

[Crossfire]

$70 for new license, $35 for renewal.

[pbwalker]

I emailed DPS this morning and told them about my situation. The response stated that the honorable discharge certificate will be sufficient. Woohoo! Now I just have to learn to be patient while they process it.

Should be no issue with the NGB22...as long as it has your discharge status.

[CollinLeon]

It's been around 30 years since I got out. I might have been able to find my DD214 during the first 5 years after I got out, but there's been too many moves since then to even think of finding it. I don't even bother with it... Last time I had a Texas CHL, I just sent in the full amount. I guess there's probably a way to get a replacement DD214, but I figure I would probably end up losing it also...

Hopefully, there is a way for them to verify it... With scanners and image editors these days, I suspect it would be just a bit too easy for someone to get a bit creative and either create a new one from someone else's or modify their type of discharge in case their discharge wasn't quite CHL kosher. Of course, if they caught him doing that, I'm pretty sure he would be screwed.

If I remember correctly, Louisiana actually requires anyone who has served in the military to have received an "honorable discharge". "General under honorable conditions" is not acceptable apparently. I'm not sure that I agree with that though... One could argue that anyone who did not receive a "dishonorable" still at least tried to do his duty and serve his country -- that's more than you can say about most people these days. I knew some guys when I was in who ended up getting out with lesser discharge -- although none with a "dishonorable" one. Sometimes, it was because they were caught with some weed in the barracks. One guy I knew got caught coming on base and there were some seeds in the carpet of his car. I suspect that he got screwed over though since I never even saw him smoke a cigarette, much less weed. Personally, I was just a beer drinker and other than one incident where I left a couple of cans on the outside window ledge one night to keep them cold, I never got in trouble for it.

[LarryH]

If you google "DD-214", you'll find a link to the web sites where you can request a new DD-214. There's a different site for each branch of service.

Seems it only took a couple of weeks when I requested mine last year.