Honorable discharge, retirement as colonel, OK’d for Green Beret charged with assault, kidnapping...

Good article, but it has multiple details...

1. A Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army approved his request for retirement in lieu of elimination.
2. He retired honorably with pension and benefits, but has a RNC separation code of unacceptable conduct (similar to bar to reenlistment)
3. The now retired Colonel will not face a military court-martial, but still faces a civilian criminal trial scheduled for September 2021

Great reporting, he served for "SEVERAL DECADES".
Ausserer stressed that Ray served several decades with no history of similar actions, adding that the military’s decision to honorably discharge his client reflects that. Army officials did not respond to requests for comment prior to this article’s deadline.

This is what happens in an all volunteer force where the same people go back in the grinder time and time again. Its not pretty nor right but it is what is going to happen more and more because troops cant seek help because if they do, the Chain of Cmd will basically trash their career and send them packing. I know this because Im one of those guys.