A Guide to the Navy

What is the United States Navy?

The United States Navy is the branch of the armed forces responsible for marine-based military deployment; the division of the armed forces known as the Marines isconsidered to be a subdivision of the United States Navy, which is responsible for marine-based, on and offshore ground deployment of military activity. The United States Navy undergoes their military operations through the usage of a variety of military equipment and technology; the United States Navy operates a variety of naval – as well as airborne – military instrumentation.

Jurisdiction over the United States Navy

The United States Department of Defense operates under Federal Law as per the guidelines expressed within the disbursement of a triune governmental oversight system, which allows for the United States Navy to exist under the jurisdiction of the Executive branch of the government; this results in the appointment of the President of the United States as the Commander in Chief of the entirety of the Armed Forces. However, Military Law – a legal field classified as a subgenre of Federal Law – typically addresses the activity and behavior of military personnel.

The United States Navy Judicial system

As a service member, an individual will typically undergo circumstances that are unique to military service:

Civil Law vs. Military Law: On one hand, military law is similar to civil law in the manner that applicable legal codes specify any or all punitive recourse with regard to crimes and offenses; military law offers a specific framework for conducting, trying, and sentencing. On the other hand, military law differs from civil law – specifically with regard to matters concerning Navy - as such matters are neither standard nor applicable to civilian legislative parameters. As a result, legality specific to military service may be subject to military judicial review, as well as military court-mandated classification and punishment(s)

Court Martial: The procedures and legislative process implicit within the investigation - and prospective lawsuit - with regard to issues involving Military Law and the United States Navy may vary on an individual, case-by-case basis. A court martial exists in the event that an offense is deemed to be under the jurisdiction of both military court judicial review, as well as military court oversight; court martials may mirror the legal process that exists within civil court, yet military personnel – service members and prisoners of war – are the only individuals able to be subject to such proceedings.

The United States Navy and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
Individuals in the service of the United States Military are typically subject to their respective adherence to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); the UCMJ is considered to be a code of legislative protocol with regard to legal matters applicable to service members – service members may be subject to be tried under military court in lieu of civil court. Those serving in the United States Military do so under the implicit understanding service members may be subject to Military Court hearings in lieu of Civil Court hearings. Matters undertaken under the jurisdiction of the military, such as the United States Navy, will be assessed by court officials appointed for the oversight of such matters.

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