Who may order an enlisted person into pretrial confinement?

• A. The Commander's Adjutant.
• B. The City Jail Warden.
• C. Any commissioned officer.
• D. The Defense Counsel.

Answer: (C)

Pretrial confinement is a restrictive action that can only be ordered by someone who holds formal command authority in the military. This power rests with commissioned officers, who are entrusted with enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice and making decisions about custody within the military system. They have the responsibility and accountability to issue confinement orders in appropriate cases, ensuring due process and proper military discipline.

Civilian jail wardens do not have authority over service members under military jurisdiction, and a defense attorney cannot order confinement—their role is advocacy and defense, not enforcement. The commander or a designated commissioning authority is the standard source of such orders, and this authority applies to any commissioned officer who is in a position to exercise command.