Could somebody in the military be sentenced to prison but still be allowed to stay in the military?

Question

When he finished his sentence? Back in the 70s a buddy told me he got caught selling appliances on the black market in Vietnam and had to serve time, maybe 6 months. When I knew him he was in the Air Force like I was. I'm surprised he wasn't discharged. Is that possible?

Answer 1

It depends on what you mean by prison, was it a military brig or a civilian jail? Typically if someone spends 6 months in jail in this day and age, they're going to be discharged. If they got the sentence at a special court martial the could also be sentenced to a bad conduct discharge. If it was a general court martial, they could get a dishonorable discharge. If they were convicted by a civilian court, the service would have to go through an administrative discharge process to get the person out.

That's all what could happen now, but Vietnam was was a completely different situation. Because there was a draft going on, they liked to hold on to people who wouldn't be kept today.

Answer 2

no it's not possible

Answer 3

Big difference in stockade time and military prison,, you go to a military time, when you get out you will be given a dishonorable discharge.

Answer 4

dunno

Answer 5

there is prison and there is the stockade or brig or whatever they call it in the airforce

depends they might bust his rank and see if he learned his lesson if they needed his skills

Answer 6

yes it is possible to be allowed to stay in to finish your enlistment, but highly unlikely.  and you would most likely NOT be permitted to re enlist without a lot of hassle.