JBMat,

The UCMJ still has mandatory panel trials under a General Courts-Martial, as you well know. The charges under a General Courts-Martial are severe enough to demand a panel of peers (loosely defined) in order to keep it aligned with the Constitution.

The third option is not necessary under your very statement of "[e]ither convict them or let them go. Two possible outcomes are all that is required.

Spoken from the standpoint of a retired AF guy with 25-plus years of service. I also had the privilege of performing bailiff duty on judge-only Summary Courts-Martial for a DUI and General Courts-Martial with judge and full panel.

Back to the original question. In today's communication arena not much can be kept secret, unfortunately. People do put two-and-two together and come up with five quite frequently. The "fame" will come regardless of the intent of the wishes of the judicial system.