NAVY ARTICLE 15 – WHAT TO EXPECT AT CAPTAIN’S MAST AND HOW TO RESPOND
Most issues in the Navy are handled long before they ever reach a courtroom. For minor offenses, a commanding officer may use Captain’s Mast instead of starting a court-martial. It’s a structured, internal process that’s been used across the fleet for years.
Captain’s Mast is handled under Article 15 of the UCMJ and follows procedures set out in the Manual for Courts-Martial. It gives the commanding officer the ability to address certain violations without going to trial. While it’s not a criminal charge, the outcome can still impact your career, from rank and pay to how your record looks down the line.
When NJP is being considered, the command must notify the Sailor in writing. This includes:
At Mast, the standard of proof isn’t “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Instead, the CO must believe it’s more likely than not that the misconduct occurred. This standard-called preponderance of evidence-makes preparation critical.
The authority to impose NJP generally lies with the commanding officer, but may also be delegated to:
Still, upper command-such as flag officers-can place limits on who may conduct Mast or what punishments may be imposed. These restrictions help maintain consistency in how discipline is handled across commands.
If you’re attached to a vessel, you generally cannot refuse Captain’s Mast. Discipline afloat must be swift, and NJP is the tool to make that possible. However, if you’re stationed ashore or in a non-deployed environment, you may have the right to reject NJP and request court-martial instead.
Refusing Mast doesn’t make the case go away. Your CO may escalate the issue to a court-martial-or drop it. That’s why legal advice from a Navy Article 15 attorney is essential before making the call.
No Sailor goes into Mast without rights. You’re entitled to:
The CO must listen to everything you present and make a decision only after fully reviewing the case.
Punishment at Mast depends on your paygrade and the CO’s rank. Penalties may include:
Even if the punishment seems “administrative,” it can delay or derail your next promotion, reenlistment, or assignment.
Yes. You have the right to appeal a Captain’s Mast decision within five calendar days. You can do this if:
Appeals are submitted in writing to the next higher commander. They can reduce or cancel the punishment-but cannot make it harsher.
If you didn’t have access to legal counsel before Mast, the NJP record cannot be used to increase punishment at a later court-martial (unless you were on a ship at the time of Mast).
Too many Sailors believe Mast is just a formality. But what happens there can change your career-sometimes quietly, through paperwork that follows you into your evaluations and advancement boards.
A Captain’s Mast lawyer can:
Want to compare how the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps handles non-judicial punishment? Visit our main NJP page to see how Article 15 works across the services.
📞 FACING MAST? DON’T GUESS-PREPARE.
Call 888-984-7706 to speak with a Navy Article 15 attorney. Captain’s Mast might happen fast-but the consequences can last. Joseph Jordan, Attorney at Law, is based out of the Fort Hood and Killeen, Texas area. He is an accomplished, experienced Criminal Defense Attorney who specializes in defending ALL service members against violations of the UCMJ. He believes in and seeks out Justice for Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Airmen and Marines worldwide.
