For OSTC-covered offenses, who is the accuser during preferral?

• A. The ACC's CC or OSTC
• B. The District Chief STC
• C. The SCMCA
• D. The SJA

Answer: (B)

In OSTC-covered offenses, the person who files the charges during preferral is the District Chief of the Office of Special Trial Counsel. This official has the authority to initiate the preferral by presenting the charges to the convening authority, maintaining independence from the accused’s command. Preferral is the formal act of bringing charges, not a decision or advisory step, and the District Chief STC is designated to perform this role for OSTC cases. The other roles—such as the SJA providing legal advice, the convening authority who ultimately orders the court-martial, or command-level prosecutorial staff—do not serve as the accuser in this context.