Coral Harbour Base, July 30, 2019 – Bahamas – In keeping with Commander Defence Force’s intent, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), Office of Staff Legal Affairs in collaboration with the United States Northern Command, Office of Judge Advocate hosted a three day Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) during the period of 23-25 July 2019.
The SMEE was conducted by
Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Tillman, Office of the Judge Advocate, US Northern
Command, Colorado and Lieutenant Commander Floyd Moxey, RBDF Staff Officer
Legal Affairs.
Officers and senior enlisted
personnel from the RBDF who are responsible for disciplinary matters within
their various units participated in the 3 day SMEE. The SMEE was organised to
assist the officers and senior enlisted with addressing relevant issues in
anticipation of the RBDF implementing its Court Martial system.
A Court Martial is a judicial
court instituted within military organizations for trying members of both the
officer and enlisted corps who are accused of committing certain offences
against service or civil law. Penalties awarded under a court martial can range
from a fine to a term of imprisonment.
Lieutenant Colonel Tillman
provided practical guidance on the rules of procedures for the Court Martial in
accordance with the Defence Act and Regulations. A mock trial was conducted to
expose the RBDF personnel to the rules of procedures and possible challenges to
the Court Martial trial. Topics covered during the 3-day SMEE were the roles of
attorneys and paralegals in the RBDF and an overview of the US Department of
Defense Ethics Rule and Training.
(For further information please
contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website:
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