(1)When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a court- martial of any offence, such court-martial may inquire into, and receive and record evidence of any previous convictions of such person, either by a court-martial or by a criminal court, or any previous award of punishment under any of the sections 80, 83, 84 and 85, and may further inquire into and record the general character of such person and such other matters as may be prescribed.