What is the order of the three court-martial types from least to most formal?

• A. Summary, Special, General
• B. General, Special, Summary
• C. Special, General, Summary
• D. Summary, General, Special

Answer: (A)

The level of formality in court-m martial procedures increases as offenses become more serious and the process adds more rights and formalities. A summary court-martial is the least formal: it’s a fast, streamlined proceeding led by a single officer who acts as judge and jury, with limited procedural protections for the accused. A step up in formality is the special court-martial, which uses a panel of officers and allows more formal procedures and protections, handling more serious offenses. The most formal is the general court-martial, with a larger panel and full procedural rights akin to a full trial, reserved for the gravest offenses. Therefore, the sequence from least to most formal is summary, then special, then general.