2015 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

This executive order amends the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, updating military justice procedures across Parts II, III, and IV. The amendments took effect immediately upon signing on June 17, 2015, with explicit protections against retroactive punishment and preservation of ongoing proceedings.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 35783

Impact dates

Jun 17, 2015
Amendments take effect

Key directives

Amend Parts II, III, and IV of Manual for Courts-Martial per attached Annex
Amendments take effect as of date of this order (June 17, 2015)
Prohibit retroactive punishment for acts done or omitted prior to effective date
Preserve validity of ongoing nonjudicial punishment, restraint, investigation, referral of charges, trial, or other action begun prior to effective date

Timeline

Immediate

Amendments take effect as of date of order (June 17, 2015)
No retroactive punishment for pre-existing acts
Ongoing proceedings continue under prior rules

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Military justice system operates under amended Manual for Courts-Martial

Risks & tensions

Annex text not included in published EO; specific substantive changes to military justice rules are unknown without cross-referencing separate publication
Scope of amendments spans 40+ pages suggesting substantial procedural changes, but exact impact depends on unprovided Annex content