CHAPTER 9 LEGAL As   a   Yeoman   (YN)   you   will   become extensively   involved   with   all   aspects   of nonjudicial   punishment,   commonly   called either NJP or mast. In this chapter we discuss duties  and  procedures  required  before,  during, and  after  NJP  proceedings. NONJUDICIAL    PUNISHMENT Although  both  commanding  officers  (COs) and   officers   in   charge   (OICs)   can   conduct mast,  we  will  use  only  the  abbreviation  CO  in this   chapter. For   a   discussion   on   the differences   between   masts   held   by   COs   and OICs,   see   Article   15,   Uniform   Code   of Military  Justice  (UCMJ),  and  part  V  of  the Manual   for   Courts-Martial   (MCM). The term  nonjudicial  punishment   and  the abbreviation   NJP   are   used   interchangeably. They refer to certain limited punishments that can  be  awarded  for  minor  disciplinary offenses  by  a  CO  to  members  of  his  or  her command. NJP   proceedings   are   called captain’s  mast  or  simply  mast. Article  15  of  the  UCMJ,  part  V  of  the MCM,  1984,  and  part  B  of  chapter  1  of  the Manual   of   the   Judge   Advocate   General (JAGMAN)  contain  the  basic  laws  about  NJP procedures.   The   legal   protection   afforded   an individual  subject  to  NJP  proceedings  is  more complete   than   is   the   case   for   nonpunitive measures,  but,  by  design,  is  less  extensive than   for   courts-martial. NJP     is     not administrative and is nonadversarial in nature. When   punishment   is   imposed,   it   is   not considered  a  conviction,  and  when  a  case  is dismissed,  it  is  not  considered  an  acquittal. The  word   mast  also  is  used  to  describe three   different   types   of   proceedings:   request mast,  meritorious  mast,  and  disciplinary  mast. Request  mast  is  a  hearing  before  the  CO,  at the  request  of  service  personnel,  for  making requests,   reports,   statements,   and   for   airing grievances. Meritorious   mast   is   for   the purpose o f    p u b l i c ly and officially commending   a   member   of   the   command   for noteworthy  performance  of  duty.  This  chapter discusses  disciplinary  mast.  When  we  use  the term  mast,  that  is  what  is  meant. Mast  is  a  procedure  used  by  the  CO  to inquire   into   the   facts   surrounding   minor offenses  allegedly  committed  by  a  member  of his  or  her  command;  to  afford  the  accused  a hearing  as  to  the  offense(s);  and  to  dispose  of such   charges   by   dismissing   the   charges, imposing  punishment,  or  referring  the  case  to a  court-martial. NATURE  AND  REQUISITE  OF NONJUDICIAL    PUNISHMENT NJP is a disciplinary measure more serious than   administrative   corrective   measures,   but less  serious  than  trial  by  court-martial.  NJP provides   commanders   with   an   essential   and prompt  means  of  maintaining  good  order  and discipline  and  also  promotes  positive  behavior changes   in   service   members   without   the stigma  of  a  court-martial  conviction. AUTHORITY  TO  IMPOSE Authority  to  impose  NJP  under  Article  15, UCMJ,  may  be  exercised  by  a  CO,  an  OIC,  or by  certain  officers  to  whom  the  power  has been  delegated  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy (SECNAV). In  the  Navy  and  Marine  Corps,  billet designations  by  the  Chief  of  Naval  Personnel and  Headquarters  Marine  Corps  identify  those persons   who   are   COs. So   the   term commanding  officer  has a precise meaning and is not used arbitrarily. 9-1