A more thorough explanation:

Definition: BCD stands for bad-conduct discharge under DISCHARGE. Discharge refers to any method by which a legal duty is extinguished, such as the payment of a debt or satisfaction of some other obligation. In the context of military service, discharge refers to the dismissal of a member from military service.

Examples:

• Bad-conduct discharge: A punitive discharge that a court-martial can give a member of the military, usually as punishment for repeated minor offenses. This type of discharge is abbreviated as BCD.
• Dishonorable discharge: The most severe punitive discharge that a court-martial can give to a member of the military. It may result from conviction for an offense recognized in civilian law as a felony or of a military offense requiring severe punishment. Only a general court-martial can give a dishonorable discharge.
• General discharge: One of the administrative discharges given to a member of the military who does not qualify for an honorable discharge.
• Honorable discharge: A formal final judgment passed by the government on a soldier's entire military record, and an authoritative declaration that he or she has left the service in a status of honor. Full veterans' benefits are given only to a person honorably discharged.

These examples illustrate the different types of military discharge that a member of the armed services may receive. The type of discharge can have significant consequences for the individual, such as affecting their eligibility for veterans' benefits. BCD, in particular, is a punitive discharge that can result from repeated minor offenses and can limit the individual's future employment opportunities.