United States v. Carter

The convening authority took action on this uncomplicated record of trial 9 months after trial.1 The record of trial is silent as to why it took so long to complete review. While we do not allocate fault for the delay, everyone in the review process must be mindful of the consequences of post-trial delay.

Until discharged, an appellant who has been awarded a punitive discharge at a court-martial remains on the service’s personnel rolls and is entitled to military employment-related entitlements, even though he may be on appellate leave. Additional*831ly, in many cases the accused himself is…