MARINE CORPS ARTICLE 15 – WHAT OFFICE HOURS MEAN AND HOW TO DEFEND YOUR RECORD
Facing NJP in the Marines? Know your rights before stepping into the CO’s office.
In the Marine Corps, non-judicial punishment (NJP) is often handled through a process known as Office Hours. It’s not a court-martial, and it’s not a criminal trial-but it’s serious. Office Hours can affect your rank, your pay, and your future in the Corps. Whether it’s a missed formation, disobedience, or another minor offense, the consequences can follow you long after the paperwork is signed.
This page explains how Office Hours work in the Marine Corps-not as a general Article 15 overview, but as it’s applied specifically within Marine command structure, command climate, and discipline culture.
In the Marines, NJP is conducted under Article 15 of the UCMJ and detailed in Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial. However, each service applies the process slightly differently-and the Marine Corps does it with characteristic precision.
Office Hours are initiated by a commanding officer or Officer in Charge (OIC) who has been delegated authority by a general officer with court-martial convening power. The process is typically used for minor misconduct and is intended to correct behavior without ending a Marine’s career.
That said, the result of Office Hours can still show up in a Marine’s SRB, impact reenlistment, and flag a record that otherwise showed years of service without issue.
Authority to impose NJP lies with:
Importantly, being called an “OIC” is not enough-delegated NJP authority must be explicit. Some OICs may have limits placed on their authority (types of punishment, categories of Marines, etc.), especially in joint or training environments.
Office Hours are used when:
Examples of offenses handled at Office Hours:
The CO must be personally convinced-based on facts and context-that NJP is the right tool. And that’s where your preparation makes the difference.
Yes, but only if you’re not attached to a deployed or afloat unit. Marines who are on ship or attached to a vessel cannot refuse NJP. This is because command authority afloat must be able to act quickly and decisively.
If you are not shipboard, you have the right to refuse NJP and demand a court-martial. That’s not always the right call-but it can be, especially when:
A Marine Corps Article 15 attorney can help you understand whether refusing Office Hours gives you a better shot at defending your record.
Under Article 31, you have the right to:
Accepting NJP is not an admission of guilt, and refusing it does not make you innocent. But knowing how to navigate the process-with counsel-can protect you from long-term harm.
Depending on your rank and your commander’s grade, punishment may include:
Some punishments are local only, while others follow you in your record. One poorly managed NJP can impact career designation, reenlistment, or the board process down the line.
Yes. You have five calendar days to appeal the CO’s decision. The appeal is written and submitted to the next superior in the chain of command.
You can appeal if:
The superior can uphold, reduce, or set aside the punishment. They cannot make it worse.
If you weren’t able to speak with a lawyer before your hearing, the NJP record cannot be used later in court-martial sentencing-unless you were afloat at the time it was imposed.
Even if no further charges come, a poorly managed Office Hours can cost you years of progress.
Joseph Jordan has defended Marines across CONUS, OCONUS, and afloat environments. As a former Army JAG and combat arms officer, he understands how NJP is applied in high-discipline environments like the Corps.
We help Marines:
Want to compare NJP across branches?
Visit our main NJP page for a breakdown by service. 📞 FACING OFFICE HOURS? YOU STILL HAVE A VOICE.
Call 888-984-7706 to speak with a Marine Corps NJP lawyer. One mistake shouldn’t end your career. Let us help you fight for your record-and your future.
