Legal Definitions - office hours

Definition: Office hours in military law refer to a type of nonjudicial punishment that can be given to minor offenders who are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It is a procedure where a commanding officer can levy punishment against the offender without a court-martial. In the Marine Corps, it is called office hours, while in the Navy and Coast Guard, it is called captain's mast, and in the Army and Air Force, it is referred to as Article 15.

Example: A soldier who has violated a minor rule, such as being late for duty, may be given office hours as a punishment. During office hours, the commanding officer will discuss the offense with the soldier and may impose penalties such as extra duty, restriction, or reduction in rank.

This example illustrates how office hours are a form of nonjudicial punishment that can be given to minor offenders in the military. It allows the commanding officer to handle the offense without going through a court-martial, which can be time-consuming and costly.