Authority to dispose of certain sexual assault cases is withheld to officers in which grade with special court-martial convening authority level within the chain of command?

The authority to dispose of certain sexual assault cases is withheld from officers in the grade of O-6, which corresponds to those with a special court-martial convening authority level. This policy is designed to reinforce the seriousness of sexual assault cases and ensure that they are handled with the utmost care and attention to detail. By withholding this authority from officers at the O-6 level, the Navy aims to maintain a higher level of oversight in the handling of such sensitive cases, which may involve significant implications for the personnel involved and the military community as a whole.

This measure aligns with the Navy's comprehensive approach to improving the response to sexual assault and ensuring that such cases are managed by officers who have the appropriate level of authority, experience, and insight into the complexities of these cases. Allowing only certain grades of officers to handle these matters helps to ensure a consistent and rigorous application of the law and reinforces the commitment to preventing and responding to sexual assault in the Navy.