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If I am wrong please help me to understand. I was under the believe that an officer did not receive a discharge the same as an enlisted member did. While enlisted had specified periods of enlistment and officer did not. He may have a minimum period he must serve, but he did not have an enlistment contract as an enlisted did. Is that correct?

When an enlisted member's period of enlistment expired that individual was discharged. But an officer's commission was valid until death, retirement, or separation. Is that correct?

So when an officer leaves the military is he separated or discharged? I may not used the term the way I understood it but I thought that only an enlisted member was actually discharged. An officer may receive a certificate attesting to his Honorable service but is it the same as for an enlisted member?

There has also been several comments stated that perhaps Kerry received a Dishonorable Discharge or a Bad Conduct Discharge. Are these not punitive discharges given only to enlisted as a part of the punishment from conviction by a general Courts-Martial?

If I am wrong please tell me.

Thanks,