“Principled Counsel is professional advice on law and policy grounded in the Army Ethic and the enduring respect for the Rule of Law, effectively communicated with appropriate candor and moral courage, that influences informed decisions.” Although this particular definition is new to our Corps, principled counsel has been at the heart of our legal practice throughout our nation’s history.

This article is intended to do one thing: encourage the military justice community of practice to grapple with the arguments typically made when justifying the value and utility of commanders as court-martial convening authorities. To do that, this article uses the same simple method I have employed in a class I teach to West Point cadets. 

Principled Counsel: Professional advice on Law and Policy grounded in the Army Ethic and enduring respect for the Rule of Law, effectively communicated with appropriate candor and morale courage, that influences informed decisions.