Reply #98: You retire at the rank you last served HONORABLY at

[MADem]

Worst case, he retires as a three star (unless they have video of him doing naughty things back then, or conclusive proof). If he has been getting paid for more than a year as a four, odds are he will keep his four star pension, get fined half month's pay for three months, get a letter of reprimand from the SECDEF, and go home. They will stick him on administrative leave, he will cash in his unused leave, and they will probably ensure his ass is out the door by OCT, the start of the new FY.

The good news for three stars who want to be four stars is that ONE MORE SLOT JUST OPENED UP!