Rule 603 — Oath or affirmation to testify truthfully

Section VI · Witnesses

Rule 603. Oath or affirmation to testify truthfully

2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

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Before testifying, a witness must give an oath or affirmation to testify truthfully. It must be in a form designed to impress that duty on the witness' conscience.

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Provisions elsewhere in the Manual whose text cites Rule 603. Each link opens the citing provision.

Rules for Courts-Martial

Discussion under R.C.M. 913(c)(2) — Presentation of the case on the merits

Each witness must testify under oath. See R.C.M. 807(b)(1)(B), Mil. R. Evid. 603. After a witness is sworn, the witness should be identified for the record (full name, rank, and unit, if…

UCMJ Punitive Articles

Article 131d, ¶ 85.c. — Wrongful refusal to testify

…as a witness” means that the witness declares that the witness will testify truthfully. See R.C.M. 807; Mil. R. Evid. 603. A good faith but legally incorrect belief in the right to remain silent does not constitute a defense to a…