R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-13-25: Who may convene special courts-martial.

(a) In the state military forces, the commanding officer of a garrison, fort, post, camp, air base, auxiliary air base, or other place where troops are on duty, or of a brigade, regiment, wing, group, detached battalion, separate squadron, or other detached command if not lower than a battalion or squadron level, may convene special courts-martial. Special courts-martial may also be convened by superior authority. When any commanding officer is an accuser, the court shall be convened by superior competent authority.

(b) A special court-martial may not try a commissioned officer.