Law for Commanders

Commanders must take a proactive approach to military legal issues. This means establishing and enforcing high standards, and then ensuring that the members under your command are aware of those standards and properly trained to comply with them.

Likewise, your troops should be versed in your service values, and be able to apply those values every day.

Most issues that result in legal action fundamentally represent a breakdown in unit standards, training and discipline.

Commanders should work with their judge advocate to develop a robust preventive law program to prevent legal problems before they arise.

In addition, you should immediately contact your judge advocate in the following situations:

• After receiving a report of any criminal offense

• Before appointing an investigating officer

• Before conducting any search (for example: drug test, breath test, dorm/barracks)

• Whenever you are considering any adverse personnel action

• Before administering nonjudicial punishment under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice

• After receiving a family support or debt collection complaint

• Before approving any fundraising activity

• Before providing (or agreeing to provide) support to any private organization

• Before collecting monies for departure gifts

• Before purchasing certain items (e.g. commander's coins, unit t-shirts, food items, and bottled water) with official funds