Articles Of UCMJ

UCMJ Article 132 criminalizes acts of fraud by service members against the United States government. Fraud includes knowingly making false claims, presenting false documents, or concealing facts to obtain pay, allowances, property, or services. Because military operations rely on honesty, accountability, and the proper use of government resources, fraud undermines discipline and directly harms the efficiency and reputation of the armed forces. This article ensures that service members who attempt…

UCMJ Article 131 criminalizes perjury, which is willfully giving false testimony under a lawful oath in a judicial proceeding or official matter. Because the military justice system depends on honesty and integrity, lying under oath is treated as one of the most serious offenses against justice. False testimony undermines courts-martial, investigations, and the credibility of the armed forces. This article covers testimony given in courts-martial, depositions, affidavits, and other proceedings…

UCMJ Article 130 criminalizes housebreaking, which is the unlawful entry of a building or structure with intent to commit a criminal offense inside. Unlike burglary under Article 129, housebreaking does not require nighttime entry or that the structure be a dwelling. The offense targets the combination of trespass and criminal intent, which threatens both property and the security of military communities. This provision helps maintain discipline and respect for property…

UCMJ Article 129 criminalizes burglary, which is unlawfully breaking and entering the dwelling house of another in the nighttime with the intent to commit a criminal offense inside. Burglary is considered more serious than unlawful entry because it combines trespass with the intent to commit another crime, creating greater danger to people and property. The offense is rooted in common law traditions, but under the UCMJ it carries its own…

UCMJ Article 128 criminalizes assault, which is the unlawful attempt or offer with force or violence to do bodily harm to another person. Assault includes both attempts to inflict injury and threats accompanied by the ability to carry them out. Because discipline and safety are essential in the military, assault in any form is treated as a serious offense. The article recognizes several levels of assault, from simple assault to…

UCMJ Article 127 punishes extortion, which is the wrongful act of obtaining something of value from another by threats. Extortion undermines trust, order, and discipline by allowing one person to use intimidation for personal gain. Because the military environment demands fairness and respect, using threats to take property, money, or favors is considered a serious breach of duty. Extortion is broader than robbery under Article 122. Robbery requires immediate force…

UCMJ Article 126 criminalizes the act of willfully and maliciously burning or setting fire to property. The article distinguishes between burning property belonging to the United States and property belonging to another person. Arson is treated as a serious offense in the military because fire endangers lives, destroys valuable resources, and can compromise mission readiness. The offense is broader than simple property damage. It requires proof that the accused intentionally…

UCMJ Article 125 historically criminalized sodomy, defined as unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex, or with an animal. For decades, the article was broadly applied to both consensual and non-consensual acts. However, significant changes occurred following U.S. Supreme Court decisions and congressional amendments. Today, Article 125 primarily applies to forcible sodomy and bestiality, not consensual sexual activity between adults. The narrowing of Article 125…

UCMJ Article 124 criminalizes maiming, which is unlawfully inflicting an injury that seriously disfigures, destroys, or disables a part of the body. The offense requires more than simple assault: the injury must permanently reduce the victim’s physical integrity or appearance. Because maiming causes long-term or irreversible harm, it is punished more harshly than ordinary assault under Article 128. Maiming undermines discipline, trust, and the safety of service members. It is…

UCMJ Article 123a punishes service members who write, make, or pass checks, drafts, or orders for payment while knowing that they do not have enough funds or credit to cover the amount. This offense targets fraudulent financial conduct that undermines trust, accountability, and discipline in the armed forces. The article is distinct from larceny and forgery. It focuses specifically on financial instruments knowingly used without sufficient funds, whether for personal…

UCMJ Article 123 criminalizes forgery, which is the making, altering, or uttering of any writing in such a way that it falsely purports to be the act of another and is intended to defraud. Forgery undermines trust in military records, financial systems, and official communications. Because the military relies heavily on accurate documents to conduct operations and maintain accountability, forgery is considered a serious offense under the UCMJ. Forgery is…

UCMJ Article 122 criminalizes robbery, which is the unlawful taking of property from another person or in their presence, against their will, by means of violence, force, or intimidation. Robbery is considered more serious than larceny under Article 121 because it involves direct confrontation and threat or use of force. This offense undermines discipline, endangers lives, and damages trust both within the military and with civilian communities. The article applies…

UCMJ Article 120c criminalizes forms of sexual misconduct not specifically covered under Articles 120 or 120b. It was created to ensure that acts such as indecent exposure, voyeurism, and indecent visual recording are addressed under military law. This article reflects the military’s position that sexual integrity and respect must be preserved in all environments, both on duty and off duty, and that service members are accountable for inappropriate sexual behavior…

UCMJ Article 120a criminalizes stalking by service members. Stalking is defined as engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear death or bodily harm, or to suffer significant emotional distress. This article was added to the UCMJ to address repeated harassment and intimidation, which undermines trust, safety, and discipline within the military. The offense recognizes that threats to safety…

UCMJ Article 120 addresses sexual assault and related sexual misconduct committed by service members. It is one of the most comprehensive and strictly enforced articles in the UCMJ, reflecting the military’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence. The article criminalizes rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, and attempts to commit these offenses. The purpose of Article 120 is to protect service members from sexual violence, preserve the dignity…

UCMJ Article 119a punishes service members who cause the death of, or bodily injury to, an unborn child while engaged in conduct that violates the UCMJ. This article was added to align military law with federal protections for unborn children under the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004. Its purpose is to ensure accountability when unlawful acts against a pregnant woman harm or kill the child she is carrying….

UCMJ Article 119 punishes the unlawful killing of another human being without the aggravating factors that make the crime murder under Article 118. Manslaughter recognizes that some killings occur without premeditation or intent to commit murder, but they are still unlawful and damaging to discipline, order, and trust within the armed forces. Manslaughter under Article 119 is divided into two categories: voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter typically involves…

UCMJ Article 118 criminalizes the unlawful killing of another human being by a service member. Murder under military law is treated with the utmost severity because it not only violates fundamental moral and legal principles but also destroys trust and discipline within the armed forces. Article 118 distinguishes between different forms of murder depending on the circumstances, intent, and state of mind of the accused. This provision ensures that military…

UCMJ Article 117 makes it an offense for a service member to use provoking or reproachful words or gestures toward another person subject to the UCMJ. The purpose of this article is to prevent fights, maintain discipline, and preserve harmony within the ranks. Words or gestures that are likely to provoke a fight or disturb good order fall under this offense. The military recognizes that unit cohesion depends on mutual…

UCMJ Article 116 punishes service members who take part in a riot or who cause a disturbance that breaches the peace. Discipline and order are the backbone of military effectiveness, and collective disorder or violent conduct threatens not only the safety of individuals but also the reputation and operational readiness of the armed forces. The article addresses two related offenses: riot and breach of peace. A riot occurs when three…

UCMJ Article 115 criminalizes wrongful communication of threats by service members. A threat under military law is an expression, either oral, written, or by gesture, of an intent to inflict injury or damage. Because threats undermine discipline, morale, and trust, they are treated as a serious offense even if the accused never intended to carry out the act. The article is not designed to punish ordinary arguments or emotional outbursts…

UCMJ Article 114 prohibits service members from engaging in dueling, provoking or accepting a challenge to duel, or acting as a second in arranging a duel. Dueling refers to a prearranged combat between two people, usually with deadly weapons, to settle a private dispute or question of honor. While the practice is obsolete in modern times, the article remains part of the UCMJ because the military cannot tolerate any form…

UCMJ Article 113 punishes a sentinel or lookout who misbehaves while on duty. Sentinels and lookouts are responsible for guarding installations, protecting personnel, and warning of threats. Because their role is critical to unit security, misconduct such as sleeping on post, leaving a post without relief, or being drunk while on duty is treated as a serious crime under military law. The article applies whether the sentinel is guarding in…