Which punishment can result in a bad conduct discharge or dishonorable discharge?

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Punitive separation is the action that ends a service member’s career with a formal discharge. A bad conduct discharge or dishonorable discharge is a punitive discharge, handed down through a court-martial process for serious misconduct. Punitive separation is the mechanism that can lead to that kind of discharge because it involves removing the member from service as a consequence of punishment. The other options are punishments that keep the member in the service or restrict them without ending their career—reprimand, confinement, and restriction are disciplinary actions, not discharges.