The  recommendation  of  the  PIO  is  not binding  on  the  CO. After   the   PIO   has   completed   his   or   her inquiry  report,  all  statements  are  sent  to  the CO  for  a  determination  of  whether  disposition by  NJP  is  appropriate. PREHEARING   ADVICE If,  after  the  preliminary  inquiry,  the  CO determines   that   disposition   by   NJP   is appropriate,  the  CO  must  make  sure  the accused  is  given  the  advice  outlined  in  part  V, para.  4,  MCM,  1984.  The  CO  need  not  give the   advice   personally   but   may   assign   this responsibility  to  the  legal  officer,  discipline officer,   or   other   appropriate   person. The advice   that   must   be   given   includes   the following: l  Contemplated  action–This  informs  the accused   that   the   CO   is   contemplating   the imposition  of  NJP  for  the  Offense(s). l   Suspected   offense(s)–This   describes   the suspected   offense(s)   to   the   accused. The description should   include   the   specific article(s)  of  the  UCMJ  that  the  accused  is alleged  to  have  violated. l   Government   evidence–This   advises   the accused of the information that the allegations are  based  on.  It  also  informs  the  accused  that, upon  request,  he  or  she  is  allowed  to  examine all  available  statements  and  evidence. l   Right   to   refuse   NJP–Unless   the accused is attached to or embarked in a vessel (in which case he or she has no right to refuse NJP),  this  informs  the  accused  of  his  or  her right  to  demand  trial  by  court-martial  in  lieu of  NJP.  The  accused  must  also  be  informed (1)  of  the  maximum  punishment  imposable  at NJP,  (2)  that  if  he  or  she  demands  trial  by court-martial,  referral  of  the  charges  to  trial by  an  SCM,  an  SPCM,  or  a  GCM  is  possible, (3)  that  he  or  she  cannot  be  tried  by  a  special court-martial   (SPCM)   over   his   or   her objection,  and  (4)  that  at  an  SPCM  or  a  GCM he  or  she  has  the  right  to  representation  by counsel. l   Right   to   confer   with   independent counsel-Because   an   accused   who   is   not attached  to  or  embarked  in  a  vessel  has  the right  to  refuse  NJP,  this  informs  the  accused of  his  or  her  right  to  confer  with  independent counsel  about  his  or  her  decision  to  accept  or refuse  the  NJP.  This  advice  must  be  given  to make sure the record of that NJP is admissible in  evidence  against  the  accused  should  he  or she  ever  be  tried  by  court-martial.  A  failure to  advise  an  accused  properly  of  his  or  her right  to  confer  with  counsel,  or  a  failure  to provide  counsel,  will  not,  however,  render  the imposition  of  NJP  invalid  or  make  a  ground for   appeal. Therefore,  if  the  command imposing  the  NJP  desires  that  the  record  of the   NJP   be   admissible   for   court-martial purposes,  you  must  prepare  the  record  of  the N J P    a c c o r d i n g    t o    a p p l i c a b l e    s e r v i ce regulations  and  show  that: 1.  the  accused  was  advised  of  his  or her  right  to  confer  with  counsel; 2.  the  accused  either  exercised  his  or her   right   to   confer   with   counsel   or   made   a knowing,  intelligent,  and  voluntary  waiver  of this  right;  and 3.  the  accused  knowingly,  intelli- gently,  and  voluntarily  waived  his  or  her  right to  refuse  NJP.  All  such  waivers  must  be  in writing. l   Hearing   rights–The   accused   is   entitled to   appear   personally   before   the   CO   for   the NJP  hearing  if  he  or  she  did  not  demand  trial by court-martial or if the right to demand trial by  court-martial  is  not  applicable. hearing  the  accused  is  entitled  to: 1.  be  informed  of  his  or under  Article  31,  UCMJ; At  such  a her  rights 9-7