Understanding Military Court Systems?

Okay, so I'm a bit confused about where military courts come in the picture. Are they part of the judicial branch like other courts? Any help would be really appreciated!

Military courts, often known as Courts-Martial, are actually part of the executive branch of the government, not the judicial branch. They are founded within and controlled by the Department of Defense and each branch of military service has its own court-martial system.

Their jurisdiction is focused almost entirely on military members. They can adjudicate crimes that are specifically military in nature, such as desertion, insubordination, and conduct unbecoming of an officer, among others. Additionally, they can also try traditional crimes such as theft, assault, and murder, so long as the accused is a service member.

It's also worth noting that the military has its own appeal system. There are appellate military courts, which include the Army, Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Courts of Criminal Appeals, and the highest is the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF). The U.S. Supreme Court can also review cases from the CAAF, so in that respect, there is a connection to the judicial branch, albeit an indirect one.

Remember that the U.S. military court system is complex and has evolved over a long period of time, often in response to the unique demands of military service. The system strives to balance the needs of military readiness and discipline with the rights and protections due to service members.