command members of the naval service are assigned, may designate one or more naval units for the purpose of administering NJP. For each such unit, the commander must designate in writing a commissioned naval  officer  as  commanding  officer  for  the administration of discipline under article 15. In addition, a flag or general officer in command may delegate all or part of his or her powers under article 15 to a senior officer on the staff. However, the senior officer must be eligible to succeed to command in the absence of the flag or general officer. In addition, those powers can only be delegated with the express approval of the Chief of Naval Personnel or the Commandant of the Marine Corps, as appropriate. Punishment must be imposed within 2 years of the offense. If it is not imposed within that period the offender may not later be punished for the offense. MAST PROCEDURES You can receive notification that someone has committed an offense in a variety of ways–a shore patrol report a verbal complaint by a victim, or a local report chit, to name a few. Except when serious crimes are involved, document charges on the Report and Disposition of Offense(s), NAVPERS 1626/7. Then process the form in the manner prescribed by the form itself. The NAVPERS 1626/7 is a one-sheet (back and front) form. It serves several functions; among them are the following: 1. It reports the offense(s). 2. It records that the accused has been advised of his or her rights under article 31. 3. It records any pre-mast restraint. 4. It serves as a preliminary inquiry report. 5. It records the action of the executive officer (XO) at screening mast. 6. It records that the accused has been advised of his or her rights to refuse NJP (if he or she has the right under the circumstances of the case). 7. It shows the action of the CO at mast. 8. It records that the accused’s appeal rights have been explained. Remember, however, that NAVPERS 1626/7 does not include all of the required premast advice you must give the accused. Reviewing the Report Chit Regardless of how the commission of a minor offense is brought to your attention, you will probably need to prepare a rough NAVPERS 1626/7. (The legal office or administration office normally prepares the smooth.) Always address the report to the officer in charge or the commanding officer of the accused. If the offender has violated more than one article of the UCMJ, identify the separate offenses by Arabic numerals in the section entitled Details of the Offense. If the offender has violated a single article more than once, identify successive violations by Arabic numerals in parentheses. In each instance, be sure to give enough details to describe the offense fully and give the UCMJ article number violated. Use numerals in the blocks marked Place of Offense(s) and Date of Offense(s) that correspond to those used in identifying the offenses in Details of Offense(s). List military witnesses to the offense in the order of their seniority, followed by civilian witnesses, if any. Include the command or address of all witnesses. If a witness is attached to the same command as the offender, give only his or her division or department. If attached to another command, identify that command completely. Give civilian witnesses’ complete business and home addresses if available. Finally, be sure to obtain the signature of the person placing the accused on report. Reading of Rights The officer contemplating imposing NJP must ensure the accused is fully advised concerning all legal rights associated with the possible imposition of NJP. The accused must be advised within a reasonable time of the report of an offense. Failure to advise the accused properly may render any subsequent nonjudicial punishment invalid. The Judge Advocate General (JAG) Manual contains details concerning required premast advice to an accused. The advice must include the following as a minimum: 1. The offense(s) the accused is suspected of having committed 2. That the commanding officer is contemplating mast for the alleged offense(s) 3. That, if the accused is not attached to or embarked in a vessel, he or she has a right to demand court-martial in lieu of mast 3-5