Which statement best describes a SCM?

Which statement best describes a SCM?

• A. They are used to try enlisted for minor offenses and there is no federal conviction.
• B. They trial officers for serious crimes with a federal conviction.
• C. They are informal hearings without any punishment.
• D. They are civilian trials.

Answer: (A)

Special Court-Martial are a form of court-martial used for enlisted personnel. They sit between the least serious (summary) and the most serious (general) military trials, handling offenses that are more than what a summary handles but not as grave as those brought to a general court-martial. When a SCM issues a verdict, the conviction is a military (UCMJ) conviction, not a federal civilian conviction. They are not for officers, they are not informal hearings, and they are not civilian trials. That makes the statement describing SCM as used to try enlisted for minor offenses with no federal conviction the best fit.

Special Court-Martial are a form of court-martial used for enlisted personnel. They sit between the least serious (summary) and the most serious (general) military trials, handling offenses that are more than what a summary handles but not as grave as those brought to a general court-martial. When a SCM issues a verdict, the conviction is a military (UCMJ) conviction, not a federal civilian conviction. They are not for officers, they are not informal hearings, and they are not civilian trials. That makes the statement describing SCM as used to try enlisted for minor offenses with no federal conviction the best fit.