The U.S. Army has begun planning for the potential execution of the military's four death-row inmates, a move that would represent the first time the armed forces have carried out such a sentence in more than 60 years. The internal planning document, known as Operation Resolute Justice and issued in February, outlines coordination with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer inmates from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to the federal execution facility in Terre Haute, Indiana.

This preparation comes amid a broader federal push to reinstate and expand the use of capital punishment. The Justice Department previously utilized the Terre Haute facility for a series of non-military federal executions during former President Donald Trump's first term. The military has not executed a service member since 1961, when Private John Bennett was put to death for rape and attempted murder.

An Army spokesperson, Cynthia Smith, stated that such planning exercises are standard procedure. She emphasized that the service regularly anticipates potential missions and presidential orders. "Exercises regarding this operation have been conducted regularly for the past 20 years," Smith said. "These drills are a standard component of our continued planning and preparation if the president approves a death sentence." She also confirmed that no specific order has been given by the president.

The internal Army plan sets timelines for execution proceedings, requiring multiple Army components to prepare and facilitate executions within 150 days of presidential approval. This includes scheduling meetings and outlining procedures for carrying out the sentences. Presidential approval is a mandatory step before any military execution can proceed, even though military courts can impose death sentences.

The White House has not commented on whether President Trump intends to authorize any military executions, referring inquiries to the Army. The planning document also addresses public communications surrounding an execution, including provisions for media access for witnesses.

President Trump has been instrumental in reviving the federal government's use of the death penalty. Early in his second term, he signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to resume federal executions vigorously, reversing the pause implemented by the Biden administration. Notably, no federal executions occurred during President Barack Obama's tenure. Obama did, however, commute the death sentence of Dwight Loving, a military inmate convicted of murder, to life without parole.

Dwight Loving was convicted in 1988 for the murder of two soldiers. The military's last execution was of Pvt. John Bennett in 1961, following his conviction for the rape and attempted murder of an 11-year-old girl in Austria. The Army's detailed planning suggests a readiness to act should the president authorize the executions.

Questions remain regarding the specific timeline and any potential challenges to the execution process. The Army's preparedness, as detailed in Operation Resolute Justice, highlights the significant steps being taken to potentially resume military executions after a long hiatus, contingent on presidential decision.