"BCDs can be given by any court-martial (summary, special and general), but a DD requires a general court martial. DDs are seldom given. BCDs are much more common."
A Bad Conduct Discharge can only be imposed by a Special Court-Martial that is specifically authorized to impose it. There is such think as a "Straight Special" Court-Martial that cannot impose a BCD. They are very, very rare. Too much work for not alot of gratification. Summary Courts-Martial cannot impose any type of discharge. Summary Courts-Martial are generally conducted by non-judges and there is no jury. Punishments are limited. A soldier can turn-down a summary court-martial and demand the real thing. My experience, albeit dated, is that BCD Specials are usually only done as part of a plea deal. Tha maximum punshment a BCD Special can impose is 6 months confiment and the BCD (plus reduction and forfeitures). These punishments are generally not sufficient to force somebody to take a plea. Again, why bother cranking up a court-martial for such a limited punishment? I am told, however, the BCD was more common in the 70's and early 80's when there were alot of drug use cases - before the Army implemented streamlined administrative procedures to get rid of dopers with limited due process rights.
I served on a few boards.