The Captain's Mast: Its History and Modern Meaning

Military and civilian disciplinary actions alike often do not take the shape of a full trial involving lawyers, judges, and juries. Many if not most breaches of rule and protocol involve verbal reprimands or other punitive actions that are considered minor and may not go on an offender's permanent record. Where civilians face a trip to HR or the private wrath of their immediate supervisors, the military's version of nonjudicial disciplinary action goes by several names, depending on the service. In the United States, the Army has its Article 15 process, and the Navy has the Captain's Mast - a tradition hailing from the days of sailing ships where the ship's mast was the centerpiece of the vessel and its source of locomotive power.