In a General Court Martial, who may subpoena non-DoD civilian witnesses?

• A. Summary Court-Martial Officer
• B. Judge Advocate General
• C. Trial Counsel
• D. Installation Commander

Answer: (C)

The ability to obtain subpoenas for witnesses outside the military, including non-DoD civilians, rests with the prosecuting attorney representing the government in the General Court Martial. The trial counsel is responsible for presenting the case and ensuring relevant witnesses are available, so they initiate the subpoena process and request the military judge to issue subpoenas as needed. The other roles don’t carry that procedural power in this context: a Summary Court-Martial Officer presides over a different, more limited proceeding; the Judge Advocate General is a high-level official, not an individual who issues subpoenas; and the Installation Commander does not have authority to subpoena civilian witnesses for a court-martial.