Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) - 10 USC Chapter 47, Sections 801-946a

Scope

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is codified at 10 USC Chapter 47, sections 801 through 946a. The UCMJ is the foundational federal statute establishing military criminal law and procedure for the armed forces of the United States. The Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) implements the UCMJ through Executive Order under the authority of Article 36 UCMJ.

Article structure

• Articles 1 through 6 (10 USC 801-806). General provisions, definitions, jurisdiction, court-martial composition.
• Article 6b (10 USC 806b). Rights of the victim of an offense under the UCMJ.
• Articles 7 through 14 (10 USC 807-814). Apprehension and restraint.
• Article 15 (10 USC 815). Nonjudicial punishment (NJP). Commanders' Article 15 authority.
• Articles 16 through 29 (10 USC 816-829). Court-martial jurisdiction and composition. Articles 22, 23, 24 set convening authorities for general, special, and summary courts-martial.
• Article 30 (10 USC 830). Charges and specifications.
• Article 31 (10 USC 831). Self-incrimination and the warning requirement.
• Article 32 (10 USC 832). Preliminary hearing for general courts-martial.
• Articles 33 through 54 (10 USC 833-854). Trial procedure.
• Articles 55 through 76 (10 USC 855-876). Sentences and review.
• Article 71(c) (10 USC 871). Punitive discharge pending appellate review.
• Article 76a (10 USC 876a). Leave required to be taken pending review.
• Articles 77 through 134 (10 USC 877-934). Punitive articles. The substantive criminal offenses.
• Article 85. Desertion.
• Article 86. Absence without leave (AWOL).
• Article 87. Missing movement.
• Article 92. Failure to obey order or regulation.
• Articles 117a through 134. Sexual offenses and related (Article 120 family, 125, 128b, 130, 132, 134(a), 134(b)).
• Article 138. Complaints of wrongs.
• Articles 139 through 146a (10 USC 939-946a). Miscellaneous provisions.

Audience

• All servicemembers, including Marines, subject to the UCMJ.
• Convening authorities exercising Article 22, 23, 24 jurisdiction.
• Commanders executing nonjudicial punishment under Article 15.
• Staff Judge Advocates and trial counsel.
• Defense counsel, Special Victims Counsel (SVC), Victims Legal Counsel.
• Court members, military judges, and victims under Article 6b.
• Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) for Article 120 family offenses.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) 2024 Edition. Implements the UCMJ through Executive Order.
• JAGINST 5800.7G. JAGMAN. Department of the Navy supplement.
• MCO 5800.16. Marine Corps Manual for Legal Administration (LSAM).
• MCO 5800.16 Vol. 14. Enlisted NJP procedures.
• MCO 5800.16 Vol. 12. Marine Corps military justice procedures.
• MARADMIN 633/24. OSTC implementation.
• DODD 5505.06. Investigations of Allegations Against Senior DoD Officials.

Status

Active federal statute. The UCMJ amends regularly through National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs). The 2024 MCM Edition incorporates statutory amendments through January 2024. Confirm the current Title 10 text at the externalUrl before relying on a specific article.