Col. James L. Pohl says Maj. Nidal Hasan's defense team must explain in writing their request for a delay until Nov. 8. Tuesday was the first day of the Article 32 hearing.
Pohl says he will consider the request when the hearing resumes 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Col. Michael Mulligan, the lead prosecutor, says he opposes any further delays and that the defense has had months to prepare.
The hearing involving Hasan is being held under tight security. The 40-year-old is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 attack.