For a Marine, what constitutes a critical aspect of character regarding discharge?

The critical aspect of character regarding discharge for a Marine is defined by the character of service. This refers to the behavior, conduct, and overall integrity displayed by the Marine during their time of service. It encompasses how well a Marine adhered to military standards, followed orders, maintained discipline, and conducted themselves both on and off duty.

This consideration is pivotal because it determines how a Marine is perceived within the military and affects the type of discharge they may receive—such as honorable, general, or other-than-honorable. While aspects like length of service, job performance ratings, and peer reviews provide context to a Marine’s career, the character of service ultimately reflects their moral and ethical standing, which plays a fundamental role in discharge decisions.