Summary of changes
R.C.M. 503 — Detailing members, military judge, and counsel, and designating military magistrates
The text as it stood in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition beside the current text, provision by provision, with every recorded amendment and the authority behind it — the whole R.C.M. in one view.
5 amended
7 added
0 removed
17 unchanged
12 authority-backed edits · recorded
2026-07-14 – 2026-07-14
Authorities behind these changes
- Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) · Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20 · 12 changes
Showing changed provisions only.
Provisions
503(a)(1)(A)
amended
text identical
Version history
Original text
detail qualified persons as members for courts-martial in accordance with the criteria described in Article 25;
Current text
detail qualified persons as members for courts-martial in accordance with the criteria described in Article 25;
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) In general. The convening authority shall— (A) detail qualified persons as members for courts-martial in accordance with the criteria described in Article 25; | admin |
503(a)(1)(B)
amended
Version history
Original text
state whether the military judge is—
Current text
provide to the military judge—
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (B) provide to the military judge— | admin |
503(a)(1)(B)(i)
amended
Version history
Original text
authorized to impanel a specified number of alternate members; or
Current text
in a capital general court-martial, at least 24 detailed members for randomization;
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (i) in a capital general court-martial, at least 24 detailed members for randomization; | admin |
503(a)(1)(B)(ii)
amended
Version history
Original text
authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and
Current text
in a non-capital general court-martial, at least 16 detailed members for randomization;
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (ii) in a non-capital general court-martial, at least 16 detailed members for randomization; | admin |
503(a)(1)(B)(iii)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
in a special court-martial, at least 8 detailed members for randomization; or
All changes since the original (removed / added)
in a special court-martial, at least 8 detailed members for randomization; or
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (iii) in a special court-martial, at least 8 detailed members for randomization; or | admin |
in a special court-martial, at least 8 detailed members for randomization; or |
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503(a)(1)(B)(iv)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
where a convening authority determines it to be impracticable to meet the requirements of R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iii) due to exceptional circumstances, a sufficient number of detailed members to allow for the randomization process in R.C.M. 911. Exceptional circumstances include circumstances in which the minimum required numbers of detailed members are not available due to a military necessity or exigency;
All changes since the original (removed / added)
where a convening authority determines it to be impracticable to meet the requirements of R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iii) due to exceptional circumstances, a sufficient number of detailed members to allow for the randomization process in R.C.M. 911. Exceptional circumstances include circumstances in which the minimum required numbers of detailed members are not available due to a military necessity or exigency;
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (iv) where a convening authority determines it to be impracticable to meet the requirements of R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iii) due to exceptional circumstances, a sufficient number of detailed members to allow for the randomization process in R.C.M. 911. Exceptional circumstances include circumstances in which the minimum required numbers of detailed members are not available due to a military necessity or exigency; | admin |
where a convening authority determines it to be impracticable to meet the requirements of R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iii) due to exceptional circumstances, a sufficient number of detailed members to allow for the randomization process in R.C.M. 911. Exceptional circumstances include circumstances in which the minimum required numbers of detailed members are not available due to a military necessity or exigency; |
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503(a)(1)(C)
amended
Version history
Original text
provide a list of the detailed members to the military judge to randomize in accordance with R.C.M. 911.
Current text
consult with the servicing staff judge advocate prior to making a determination under R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(iv) that it is impracticable to meet the requirements of R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iii);
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (C) consult with the servicing staff judge advocate prior to making a determination under R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(iv) that it is impracticable to meet the requirements of R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(i)-(iii); | admin |
503(a)(1)(D)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
document in writing any determination under R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(iv) that exceptional circumstances exist, pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Secretary concerned;
All changes since the original (removed / added)
document in writing any determination under R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(iv) that exceptional circumstances exist, pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Secretary concerned;
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (D) document in writing any determination under R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(iv) that exceptional circumstances exist, pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Secretary concerned; | admin |
document in writing any determination under R.C.M. 503(a)(1)(B)(iv) that exceptional circumstances exist, pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Secretary concerned; |
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503(a)(1)(E)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
state whether the military judge is—
All changes since the original (removed / added)
state whether the military judge is—
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: (E) state whether the military judge is— (i) authorized to impanel a specified number of alternate members; or (ii) authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and (F) provide a list of the detailed members to the military judge to randomize in accordance with R.C.M. 911. | admin |
state whether the military judge is— |
||||
503(a)(1)(E)(i)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
authorized to impanel a specified number of alternate members; or
All changes since the original (removed / added)
authorized to impanel a specified number of alternate members; or
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: ... (i) authorized to impanel a specified number of alternate members; or (ii) authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and | admin |
authorized to impanel a specified number of alternate members; or |
||||
503(a)(1)(E)(ii)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and
All changes since the original (removed / added)
authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: ... (ii) authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and | admin |
authorized to impanel alternate members only if, after the exercise of all challenges, excess members remain; and |
||||
503(a)(1)(F)
added since original
Version history
Original text
Not in the original text — this provision was added later.
Current text
provide a list of the detailed members to the military judge to randomize in accordance with R.C.M. 911.
All changes since the original (removed / added)
provide a list of the detailed members to the military judge to randomize in accordance with R.C.M. 911.
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (r) R.C.M. 503(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: ... (F) provide a list of the detailed members to the military judge to randomize in accordance with R.C.M. 911. | admin |
provide a list of the detailed members to the military judge to randomize in accordance with R.C.M. 911. |
||||
“Original text” is the state captured the first time a provision was edited under change tracking — i.e. the text as published in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition. Provisions edited without being “marked as changed” (typos, formatting) are not recorded here; see the recent revisions feed and the site-wide changes log.