R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-13-26: Who may convene summary courts-martial.

(a) In the state military forces not in federal service, 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 regiment, wing, group, detached battalion, detached squadron, or other detachment of not less than battalion or squadron level, may convene a summary court-martial consisting of one commissioned officer of a rank not less than major. The proceedings shall be informal.

(b) When only one commissioned officer is present with a command or detachment, that officer shall be the summary court-martial of that command or detachment and shall hear and determine all summary court-martial cases brought before him or her. Summary courts-martial may, however, be convened in any case by superior competent authority when considered desirable by him or her.