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HomeMilitary and Veterans CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 3Art. 3§ 262 National Guard Discharge Certificates

§ 262 National Guard Discharge Certificates

Military and Veterans Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 262 National Guard Discharge Certificates

This law says that when someone leaves the National Guard or militia after being called to active duty, they must get a written discharge. The discharge can be honorable, general, or undesirable, but bad conduct or dishonorable discharges can only be given by a court-martial.

Key Takeaways

  • •When you leave the National Guard or militia after active duty, you get a written discharge.
  • •The discharge can be honorable, general, or undesirable.
  • •Only a court-martial can give a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge.

Example

A soldier finishes their active duty service in the National Guard.

They will receive a written discharge, which could be honorable, general, or undesirable, depending on their service record. If they did something really bad, they might face a court-martial, which could give them a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 262 National Guard Discharge Certificates

An enlisted person discharged from the National Guard or the unorganized militia when called or ordered into active service of the state shall receive a discharge in writing in a form and with those qualifications as may be prescribed under the laws and regulations prescribed for the government of the National Guard by the United States and that are not inconsistent with this code. The certificates of discharge may be in the form of an honorable, a general, or undesirable discharge. Bad conduct and dishonorable discharges shall be awarded only by courts-martial as provided in this code. (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 118, Sec. 14. (SB 1501) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

dischargeNational Guardunorganized militiacourts-martialhonorablegeneralundesirablebad conductdishonorable

Related Statutes

  • § 255 State-Funded Guard Uniforms
  • § 259 National Guard Service Separation
  • § 231 Military Service Application Rules
  • § 250 Enlistment Qualification Requirements
  • § 253 National Guard Appointments

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Military and Veterans Code. Section 262.
View Official Source