Who comprises the court of military appeals?

The court of military appeals is composed of five civilian judges. This structure is designed to ensure that military legal proceedings are overseen by a group of judges who bring an outside perspective to military law, which can help maintain impartiality and fairness in the judicial process. Civilian judges also provide expertise in legal matters that are crucial for interpreting and upholding military law.

The presence of civilian judges is significant in maintaining the integrity of the military judicial system, as these judges are not part of the military hierarchy. This setup helps to balance military interests with the fundamental rights of service members, ensuring that appeals are handled with a level of scrutiny that might not occur if the judges were solely military officers.