His ass was saved from court-martial only because he had become a minor celebrity.
It shows politics and PR rule in the military, especially at high levels, exactly like it does in the rest of government.
I would say the Commandant at that time had a brain vs today with the kid on the sub being dishonorably discharged for taking a selfie in from of classified equip:
“Unfortunately, he had violated a regulation prohibiting the publication of photos not cleared by military censors.
Soon after returning to the United States to accept his prize, he was facing court-martial. He was relieved to learn that he would not be charged because the commandant of the Marine Corps had decided to rip up the documents.”