Reuters

As the Senate gears up to debate an overhaul of the military justice system, the head of the U.S. Army voiced strong opposition to a change pushed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.).

Gen. Ray Odierno, the chief of staff of the Army, said he opposed Ms. Gillibrand’s measure which would strip commanders of oversight of sexual assault and other felony prosecutions in the military, giving independent prosecutors the power to make the decision. Such a change would cost the Army millions of dollars and have a “detrimental effect” on the military, he said.

“I am against taking commanders out of the process,” Gen. Odierno said in a meeting with a group of reporters. “It is a big mistake.”…