Sometimes military personnel can be given discharges so they can be tried in civilian court. That's what the Air Force did with serial killer John Joubert when I was stationed at Offutt AFB in the early 80's.

At the time, I was disappointed that he wasn't court martialed, but it turned out to be the right decision. Joubert was eventually executed. Had the military tried him, the bastard would still be breathing our air.

Onward and upward,
airforce