What are the three types of court-martials in order from the most severe to the least severe?

The correct response identifies the hierarchy of court-martials in the U.S. military. The most severe type is the General Court-Martial, which has the authority to impose the most serious punishments, including confinement for more than one year and, in extreme cases, death penalties for major offenses such as desertion or murder.

Following that is the Special Court-Martial, which handles less severe offenses than those addressed by a General Court-Martial. It can impose moderate penalties, typically involving confinement for up to one year and/or a bad conduct discharge, making it a mid-level option in terms of severity.

Finally, the Summary Court-Martial is the least severe type, designed for minor offenses. It offers a streamlined process and usually results in lighter penalties, such as a maximum confinement of 30 days or reduction in rank.

Understanding this hierarchy helps clarify the legal processes and consequences faced by service members in the event of disciplinary actions, highlighting the structured nature of military justice.