Any individual enlisting for the first time on or after the eighth day of September, one thousand nine hundred eighty, who fails to complete at least twenty-four months of his or her enlistment is not eligible for any right, privilege or benefit for which eligibility is based on active duty in the armed forces. This provision does not apply when a person: (a) Is discharged because of hardship; (b) is retired or separated because of disability; or (c) is later determined to have a service connected disability incurred during a completed period of enlistment.
In the event that a residential vacancy exists at any veterans home or facility created and established pursuant to this article, a veteran who has been a resident of the state of West Virginia for one year or more prior to filing for admission shall be given preference in filling such residential vacancy over nonresident veterans.