Thanks. Amazing. I consider his open rebellion against the US and his effort to impel other troops to turn on the US to be far more serious than capital murder. He is getting off way too easy. Why didn’t they Court Martial him?
“Why didn’t they Court Martial him?”
I think that it is mainly because the standard of evidence is very high for the kind of serious charge, that would warrant it. It is much easier to conduct an administrative separation.
His actions did not constitute treason (supporting an enemy materially during war).
They got him on Conduct Unbecoming an Officer (or of a Nature to Reflect Discredit on the Armed Forces), which is whatever the boss says it is, provided that reviewing authorities would agree. If Rapone refused to accept it administratively (and resign his commission), he could have demanded a Courts Martial (which he would have lost, and been subject to a worse type of discharge).
The other reason that he probably was not courts martialed, is that he was a combat veteran and a West Point grad - even if he had to go, he gets some credit for his past service. He is young and stupid - he might still grow up and regret it.
Could be any of several reasons why they chose not to prosecute. The military usually doesn’t take a case to court-martial unless it’s a slam dunk, with plenty of evidence. It’s easier and cheaper in cases where there’s less evidence to just discharge the POS. That UOTHC will affect his job prospects, but not as much as a BCD or a DD.