Which type of discharges are classified as punitive in the Marine Corps?

Punitive discharges are those that are a result of a service member's misconduct and reflect a serious offense against military regulations or the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). In the Marine Corps, Bad Conduct Discharge and Dishonorable Discharge fall under this category. A Bad Conduct Discharge is typically awarded for minor offenses, while a Dishonorable Discharge is reserved for more severe violations, such as felonies or egregious misconduct.

Both types of punitive discharges carry significant consequences for service members, including loss of benefits and rights associated with military service. They indicate a failure to uphold the standards of the Marine Corps and serve as a disciplinary measure to deter future misconduct.

The other classifications of discharges, such as General, Honorable, Other-than-honorable, Conditional, and Probationary, do not fall under the punitive category, as they may result from a range of administrative issues, performance, or circumstances that do not indicate serious misbehavior. This distinction underlines the severity of Bad Conduct and Dishonorable Discharges in terms of military discipline and record.