What are “Captain’s Mast,” “NJP,” and “Office Hours”?
A. Nonjudicial Punishment (NJP), also referred to as “Captain’s Mast” (Navy & Coast Guard), “Office Hours” (USMC) and “Article 15” (Army and Air Force), is a relatively informal and low-level forum for handling minor misconduct. Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), located in the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), explains what constitutes “minor” misconduct and the basics of this process. It can be imposed by a commanding officer (CO) and specifically designated officers in charge. We encourage area service members to come into our offices for legal advice if they are facing possible legal action by their command. Please refer to the list of rights presented below. Nonjudicial Punishment Rights (“Booker Rights”) • You have the right to refuse mast (unless attached to or embarked on a vessel). See Article 15, UCMJ. • You have the right to confer with an independent attorney. • You have the right to appear personally before the CO or OIC. • You have the right to be i
