Article 24. Who may convene summary courts-martial.\n(a) Summary courts-martial may be convened by:\n(1) a person who may convene a general or special court-martial;\n(2) the commanding officer of a detached company or other detachment, or corresponding unit of the army;\n(3) the commanding officer of a detached squadron or other detachment, or corresponding unit of the air force; or\n(4) the commanding officer or officer in charge of any other command when empowered by the adjutant general.\n(b) When only 1 commissioned officer is present with a command or detachment, that officer shall be the summary court-martial of that command or detachment and shall hear and determine all summary court-martial cases. Summary courts-martial may, however, be convened in any case by superior competent authority if considered desirable by that authority.
Massachusetts Legal Code