Mast (naval)

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In naval tradition, a Mast is a non-judicial disciplinary hearing in which a commanding officer studies and disposes of cases of those in his or her command. In most cases it is referred to as a Captain's Mast. If an admiral is overseeing the mast, it is then referred to as an Admiral's Mast or a Flag Mast.

Captain's Mast is a procedure whereby the commanding officer may:

• Make inquiry into the facts surrounding minor offenses allegedly committed by a member of his command;
• Afford the accused a hearing as to such offenses; and
• Dispose of such charges by dismissing the charges, imposing punishment under the provisions of Art. 15, UCMJ, or referring the case to a court-martial.

What Captain's Mast is not:

• A trial, as the term "nonjudicial" implies;
• A conviction;
• An acquittal if a determination is made not to impose punishment.

Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial constitute the basic law concerning nonjudicial punishment 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.

[edit] Right to refuse NJP

Unless the accused is attached to or embarked in a vessel (in which case he has no right to refuse NJP), he should be told of his right to demand trial by court-martial in lieu of NJP; of the maximum punishment which could be imposed at NJP; of the fact that, should he demand trial by court-martial, the charges could be referred for trial by summary, special, or general court-martial; of the fact that he could not be tried at summary court-martial over his objection; and that, at a special or general court-martial, he would have the right to be represented by counsel.

For information on the mast on a ship, go to masts(sailing)