I never ran afoul of the UCMJ during my Army hitch...not even an Article 15.Therefore I can't claim to be an expert on military justice.However,if you check the Army's,Navy's and AF's JAG websites you'll see more than a few General Courts Martial scheduled for certain drug offenses.So they're used for things less serious than murder and treason.Perhaps a former JAG lawyer will chime in here...I know that there are at least a couple here on FR.
The sergeant made an idiot of himself and kicked a truck - not exactly a firing squad situation, is it?
Check my posts and you'll see I never mentioned a firing squad...or anything close to that.
Bet you never commanded anything.
The Army wanted me to attend OCS in '69 but I said "no",mainly because I knew that the life expectancy of an O-1 in SE Asia was about 20 minutes.
Proud of you - I didn't either during my four year stint as an enlisted Marine (1965-69).
"you'll see I never mentioned a firing squad.."
I know - just exaggerating to make my point..GCMs are a big deal we usually save for the worst offenses. We have Summary Courts Martial for the first level after Article 15, then Special Courts Martial for bigger yet, and the real deal at the GCM level. I have served on three General Court Martial boards and as a convening authority, convened several Summary and Special Courts Martial. in my somewhat busy next 24 years of service.
Like you, I was offered a commissioning program in 1969 but turned it down because I had just recovered from some pretty severe wounds in Vietnam and didn't feel I was ready for another helping just yet. The Corps offered me another chance in '72 and by then I was ready. The bit where I suggested that you "never commanded anything" was just snotty on my part and I apologize. I was very lucky to have had command and I know it.