X-Nico

5 unusual facts about Uniform Code of Military Justice


Billy Ward and his Dominoes

Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice gives a unit commander authority to mete a certain amount of punishment to troops under his or her command without going through a court-martial, which includes fines (partial forfeiture of pay).

Civilian subject to service discipline

The list of civilians who are subject to service discipline is more extensive than in some other countries—for example, in the United States, civilian spouses, dependents, and guests of military personnel are not included in the list of people subject to that country's Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Combined Information Data Network Exchange

In 2010 US Army Private Chelsea Manning (then known as Bradley) was accused by the US government of giving out information from CIDNEI and CIDNEA (CIDNE Iraq and CIDNE Afghanistan) to persons not entitled to receive it, in alleged violation of various US laws (and by inclusion, portions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).

Military justice

The Articles of War were superseded in 1951 by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Uniform Code of Military Justice

Members of the military Reserve Components under Title 10 of the United States Code (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, and Air Force Reserve) or Title 14 of the United States Code, Coast Guard Reserve when not operating as part of the U.S. Navy, are subject to the UCMJ if they are either


Reduction in rank

Colonel Michael D. Murphy - Demoted to First Lieutenant after being charge with absence without leave; failure to obey order/dereliction of duty; false official statement; larceny; and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Articles 86, 92, 107, 121, and 133, respectively.

U.S. Navy Good Conduct Variation

Additionally, if an individual is convicted by court-martial or Non-judicial punishment (NJP), the gold badge and gold service stripes must be removed from the uniform on the date the conviction becomes final within the meaning of Article 76, Uniform Code of Military Justice.

United States Armed Forces oath of enlistment

"I, XXXXXXXXXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."


see also

Guam Police Department

The department has jurisdiction across the entire territory, except for areas covered by the port, airport and military bases, although the Guam Police Department does have authority over military dependents on base, due to the fact that civilians cannot be charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.