Who is responsible for advising the accused of their rights concerning a possible NJP?

The officer contemplating imposing Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP) is responsible for advising the accused of their rights. This officer must ensure that the individual fully understands their rights and the process involved prior to proceeding with NJP. This includes informing the accused about their entitlement to refuse NJP and request a trial by court-martial instead, as well as explaining the nature of the allegations. It is crucial for the fairness and transparency of the NJP process that the accused is properly informed of their options and rights.

In this context, while the legal officer may provide legal advice and support, it is the officer directly involved in the NJP process who has the responsibility to communicate this critical information to the accused. The Chief Master-at-Arms and the department head or division officer may support the process but do not have the primary responsibility for advising on rights in this specific circumstance.