Section 8 (military)
Encyclopedia
The term Section 8 refers to a category of discharge
from the United States military
for reason of being mentally unfit
for service. It also came to mean any serviceperson given such a discharge or behaving as if deserving such a discharge (as in the sentence "He's a Section 8"). The term comes from Section VIII of the World War II
-era United States Army Regulation 615-360, which provided for the discharge of those deemed unfit for military service.
In the 1950s, Section 8 discharges were commonly given to service members found guilty of "Sexual Perversion," and it was classified as an undesirable discharge, depriving the serviceperson so discharged of veteran's benefits but not resulting in the loss of any citizenship rights, such as the right to vote.
Discharge under Section 8 is no longer a military reality, as medical discharges for psychological/psychiatric reasons are now covered by a number of regulations. In the Army, such discharges are handled under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200
, Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations. Chapter 5, paragraph 13 governs the separation of personnel medically diagnosed with a personality disorder
.
The meaning of Section 8 became known in households worldwide as it was used often in the 1970s TV series M*A*S*H, in which the character Corporal Klinger was constantly seeking one.
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
from the United States military
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
for reason of being mentally unfit
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
for service. It also came to mean any serviceperson given such a discharge or behaving as if deserving such a discharge (as in the sentence "He's a Section 8"). The term comes from Section VIII of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era United States Army Regulation 615-360, which provided for the discharge of those deemed unfit for military service.
In the 1950s, Section 8 discharges were commonly given to service members found guilty of "Sexual Perversion," and it was classified as an undesirable discharge, depriving the serviceperson so discharged of veteran's benefits but not resulting in the loss of any citizenship rights, such as the right to vote.
Discharge under Section 8 is no longer a military reality, as medical discharges for psychological/psychiatric reasons are now covered by a number of regulations. In the Army, such discharges are handled under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200
AR 635-200
AR 635-200 is the U.S. Army regulation governing administrative separation from the U.S. Army. AR 635-200 was signed by General George W. Casey, Jr. and took effect on 6 June 2005. AR 635-200 lists separations under two categories: voluntary and involuntary. Involuntary chapters must be...
, Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations. Chapter 5, paragraph 13 governs the separation of personnel medically diagnosed with a personality disorder
Personality disorder
Personality disorders, formerly referred to as character disorders, are a class of personality types and behaviors. Personality disorders are noted on Axis II of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-IV-TR of the American Psychiatric Association.Personality disorders are...
.
The meaning of Section 8 became known in households worldwide as it was used often in the 1970s TV series M*A*S*H, in which the character Corporal Klinger was constantly seeking one.