Which discharge type is issued only as a result of a general court-martial?

• A. Dishonorable Discharge
• B. Bad Conduct Discharge
• C. General Discharge
• D. Administrative Discharge

Answer: (A)

Punitive outcomes for misconduct come from court-martial findings. The most severe punitive discharge, the dishonorable discharge, is issued only by a general court-martial following a conviction for serious offenses. It cannot be awarded through administrative action or by a less formal court-martial. A bad conduct discharge can be given by either a general or a special court-martial depending on the case, while general and administrative discharges reflect non-punitive or administrative circumstances rather than a court-martial conviction. Therefore, the only discharge type tied strictly to a general court-martial for the most serious offenses is the dishonorable discharge.