What type of military discharge is characterized by a record that is honorable but not 'unblemished'?

The designation of a General Discharge under Honorable Conditions refers to a situation where a service member has satisfactorily performed their duties but may have a record that includes some minor infractions or issues. This type of discharge acknowledges that the individual met the basic criteria for honorable service, yet did not achieve the completely pristine record associated with a straight Honorable Discharge.

This distinction is critical because it indicates that while the service member's overall performance was acceptable, there were some elements of their record that were not without blemish. Such factors could include minor misconduct that, while not severe enough to warrant a less favorable discharge classification, reflects a less than ideal service record. Therefore, this discharge type maintains a balance, recognizing the service member's contributions while also noting that there were some issues during their service.

In contrast, an Honorable Discharge signifies an exemplary record without any significant issues or infractions. The "Other than Honorable Discharge" classification is reserved for more serious infractions, while a Bad-Conduct Discharge represents disciplinary action for significant violations of military law. Thus, the General Discharge under Honorable Conditions is the accurate designation for a record that is honorable yet not completely unblemished.