PUNISHMENT OF W.A.A.C.'S

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23971, 11 June 1943, Page 4

PUNISHMENT OF W.A.A.C.'S

SUBJECT TO MILITARY LAW PROVISION FOR TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL Members of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps are now subject to military law and liable to punishment for breaches of discipline in the same way as men in the Army. Provision hrs been made for W.A.A.C.’s to be tried by court-martial, to be confined to barracks, and to be discharged from the Army. Previously there were no regulations under which W.A.A.C.’s could be legally punished for breaches of military discipline, but In cases where they were absent without leave they forfeited their pay through being paid volunteers. Ever since the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Army, however, discipline has been good, and commanders of > W.A.A.C. units have not been embarrassed by the lack of regulations. Now W.A.A.C.’s can be tried by a court-martial which will have a certain number of W.A.A.C. officers as members. They can be charged with being absent without leave or with conduct to the prejudice of discipline, and the court-martial will have the power to impose various types of sentences, Officers can be dismissed or ordered to forfeit seniority, severely reprimanded, and have their pay stopped. Similarly, non-commissioned officers can be discharged, reduced either to a lower grade or the ranks, or forfeit their pay for not more than 28 days. W.A.A.C.’s can be discharged, confined to barracks for not more than 14 days, and forfeit their pay or have it stopped. Commanding officers of W.A.A.C. i nits have power to deal summarily with women under their command, and non-commissioned officers can be severely reprimanded or reprimanded, and have deductions made from their pay. Other ranks can be confined to barracks for not more than 14 days or forfeit their pay, and can also be ordered to perform extra duties or be admonished. ._. . Like soldiers the W.A.A.C, s have the right to be tried by court-martial if they desire. Subalterns or senior subalterns have the power to order a W.A.A.C. to be confined to barracks for seven days, to admonish her, and also to order her to perform extra duties.