From: "John R Weiss"
Date: 1/8/2004 9:58 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id: GFpLb.2928$5V2.7078@attbi_s53

From one who has had a bit of experience (Senior Member of a General Court
Martial in a rape case; and having had a "joint" tour in an AF [ATC] command
where an E-4 who was an RCH from an Article 15 for repeated UAs got an
end-of-tour AFCM just a few months later)...

When I was assigned to the GCM, I had NO contact with the convening authority
from beginning to end, other than the letter telling me I was "it." I had NO
IDEA whether he "wanted" the accused found innocent or guilty; nor did I
care.
The person with the MOST influence over the GCM Board is the Military Judge
who
presides over the proceedings. His official instructions are VERY
influential,
and his handling of and answers to inquiries and questions from the Board can
make a significant difference.

The accused was an E-4. IIRC, there were an E-5 and E-7 on the Board, as
well
as 3 officers. none of us had any ulterior motives.



I yield to your experience.

Dan, U. S. Air Force, retired