Military commanders no longer would have the authority to overturn major court-martial convictions, under a plan Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has submitted to Congress. Under Hagel’s proposal, commanders – referred to as "convening authorities" in court-martial cases – also would be required to explain in writing why they made any changes in court-martial convictions. The action comes in the aftermath of a case that took place at Aviano Air Base, Italy, last year. After Air Force Lt. Col. James Wilkerson had been convicted of sexual assault, the military judge that presided over the trial sentenced him to dismissal from service and one year in prison. In his capacity as convening authority, 3rd Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin set overturned Wilkerson’s conviction. Franklin’s actions "should offend every single service member and civilian who, like me, is proud of their association with the United States military." While the Wilkerson case played a key role in Hagel’s decision to ask for the change in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Pentagon officials say it is not the only such incident.
