Which discharge is classified as more severe than a bad-conduct discharge?

A dishonorable discharge is classified as more severe than a bad-conduct discharge because it reflects a serious violation of military law and is considered the most punitive form of discharge. This type of discharge indicates that the service member has committed offenses that are deemed extremely detrimental to the standards and ethics of military service.

In contrast, a bad-conduct discharge is a disciplinary discharge resulting from a court-martial for lesser infractions and does not carry the same stigma or long-term consequences associated with a dishonorable discharge. The dishonorable discharge affects veterans' benefits and has implications for future employment, access to certain rights, and can have lasting effects on an individual's reputation and reintegration into civilian life.

Understanding the hierarchy of discharges is crucial for assessing the severity of military disciplinary actions and the subsequent impacts on a service member’s future opportunities and benefits.