JSC MISSION

To further the Department of Defense’s duty to assist the President in fulfilling the responsibility of ensuring that the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Manual for Courts-Martial constitute a comprehensive body of military criminal law and procedure.

About the JSC

The Joint Service Committee on Military Justice (JSC) is an inter-agency, joint body of judge advocates and advisors, dedicated to ensuring the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) and Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) constitute a comprehensive body of criminal law and procedure.  The Judge Advocates General and the General Counsel of the Department of Transportation established the JSC on August 17, 1972, to keep the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) and Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) current.  The JSC also assists the Department of Defense in its responsibility to conduct an annual review of the MCM as required by Executive Order 12473 of July 13, 1984 (PDF).

The JSC is governed by DoDI 5500.17, “Role and Responsibilities of the Joint Service Committee (JSC) on Military Justice” (PDF) and “The Standard Operating Procedures of the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice.” (PDF).  The JSC consists of the Voting Group, Working Group, and Advisors.  The Voting Group includes one judge advocate from each of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.  The Working Group includes additional judge advocates from each of the Services.  The JSC advisors represent the Office of General Counsel, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  The JSC Chair and Executive Secretary positions rotate biannually.