Which of the following is NOT a maximum punishment for a SPCM by MJA?

• A. Confinement for 1 year (enlisted)
• B. Confinement for 6 months (enlisted)
• C. Reduction to E-1
• D. Reprimand

Answer: (A)

Special Court-Martial sentencing is limited by explicit caps set in the MJA. The court’s authority is more limited than a general court-martial, so only certain punishments and lengths are allowed for enlisted members. The key idea is that there is a defined upper limit for confinement and other punishments under a SPCM.

Confinement for 1 year would exceed the typical SPCM cap for an enlisted member, so it is not a maximum sentence a SPCM by MJA may impose. The other options fall within the typical ranges: six months of confinement is within the limit, reduction to E-1 is an allowed punishment, and a reprimand is also within the range of punishments a SPCM can impose.