2-2
Regulations). We must not characterize orders with
tyrannical or capricious conduct (an erratic change in
behavior) or by abusive language (article 1023, U.S.
Navy Regulations). Since authority is given only to
fulfill duties and responsibilities, we need to delegate
only as much organizational authority as necessary to
fulfill those duties and responsibilities. Delegation
should never be made beyond the lowest level of
competence. Limitations, therefore, may be set by
command.
LAWFUL ORDERS
An order must be lawful. Any order imposing
punishment outside the framework of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice (UCMJ) is unlawful. Punishment
may only be through the judicial process or nonjudicially
through article 15 of the UCMJ (commanding officers
nonjudicial punishment). However, petty officers may
take certain measures to correct minor infractions that do
not merit punishment under article 15 of the UCMJ. The
following nonpunitive measures are available to
supervisors through their commanding officers.
Extra Military Instruction
Extra military instruction (EMI) is a type of military
duty used to correct a deficiency of an individual. EMI is
a nonpunitive measure approved by the Manual for
Courts-Martial and outlined in the Manual of the Judge
Advocate General. EMI is a training device intended to
improve efficiency of a command or unit. EMI is
intended as a corrective measure. Therefore, you must
give EMI with the intention of correcting a deficiency in
performance of military duty, not with the intention of
substituting it for punitive action under the UCMJ. EMI
must have a logical relationship to the deficiency you are
correcting.
The duration of EMI is only for the period required
to correct the performance deficiency. Normally, EMI
assignments are for no more than 2 hours per day. EMI
is done at a reasonable time outside normal working
hours. Its purpose is not to deprive a member of normal
liberty. EMI is not to be done on a persons Sabbath. A
member who has entitlement to liberty may begin normal
liberty upon completion of EMI. The authority to assign
EMI rests with the commanding officer, but delegation
of the authority to assign EMI may be part of a normal
supervisory task. Permission for delegation of authority
ordinarily is not given below the chief petty officer
(CPO) level. However, in exceptional cases when
qualified petty officers are filling CPO billets in an
organizational unit (division, major work center, or
comparable organization) that contains no CPO, the
authority may be delegated to a senior petty officer.
Withholding of Privileges
The temporary withholding of a privilege is another
nonpunitive measure. Supervisors can use this measure
to correct minor infractions of military regulations or
performance deficiencies. A privilege is a benefit
provided for the convenience or enjoyment of an
individual. Some examples of privileges that we can
withhold as nonpunitive measures are special liberty,
exchange of duty, special command programs, the use of
base or ship libraries, base or ship movies, base parking,
and base special services events.
The final authority to withhold a privilege rests with
the authority that grants the privilege. Thus at times you
only can recommend the withholding of a privilege
through your chain of command. However, when you
think
it
is
necessary,
you
should
make
the
recommendation. The action could correct a minor
infraction, thereby, increasing the efficiency of your
division.
Extension of Working Hours
Deprivation of normal liberty as a punishment,
except as specifically authorized under the UCMJ, is
illegal. Supervisors cannot deny personnel normal liberty
as a punishment for any offense or for poor performance
of duty. However, supervisors can require personnel to
perform tasks efficiently and in a timely manner. Thus
naval personnel are not receiving punishment when they
have to remain on board outside of normal working
hours to complete work assignments, perform additional
essential work, or maintain the required level of
operational readiness. Supervisors must inform their
superiors when they intend to direct subordinates to
work beyond normal working hours. Remember that the
work must be essential, must have a readiness
requirement, or must be work that should have been
finished during the normal workday.