What is the difference between pension plans and military retirement plans?

[DanielV01]

On the Federal return there is no difference between the two, at least in terms of determining what is taxable or not.  However, for the state return, some states exempt military retirement plans whereas others make it conditional or taxable.  If you see a question as to whether or not the military pension is qualified, it is not considered qualified for the purpose of that specific question.  But both a pension and a military retirement plans are both retirement plans.