General
captain's mast
What does captain's mast mean?
A non-judicial disciplinary proceeding in the Navy in which the commanding officer hears a case and imposes punishment short of a court-martial.
"He caught captain's mast for missing ship's movement."
Origin
US Navy; from the historic practice of holding proceedings at the ship's mast.
Frequently asked questions
What is captain's mast?
It's a non-judicial disciplinary proceeding in the Navy where the commanding officer hears a minor case and imposes punishment short of a court-martial.
Why is it called a 'mast'?
The name survives from the historic practice of holding shipboard proceedings at the base of the ship's mast.
Is captain's mast the same as a court-martial?
No — it's a lesser, non-judicial process for minor offenses; a court-martial is a formal military trial for more serious charges.
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