10 U.S.C. § 824 — Art. 24. Who may convene summary courts-martial

(a) A summary court-martial may be convened by: (1) anyone who may convene a general or special court-martial; (2) the commanding officer^* of an Army^* detached company or other detachment; (3) the commanding officer^* of an Air Force detached squadron or other detachment, or a corresponding Space Force unit; or (4) the commanding officer or officer in charge^* of another command when empowered by the Secretary concerned^*.

(b) If only one commissioned officer^* is with a command or detachment, that officer is the summary court-martial for that command or detachment and must hear and decide all summary court-martial cases brought before the officer. A superior competent authority may nevertheless convene a summary court-martial in any case when that authority considers it desirable.