Crimes, Military

Article I, Section 8, states that Congress has the power “to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.” In accordance with this provision, Congress has established regulations for the military as embodied in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which constitutes the body of criminal laws governing the behavior of armed services personnel in the United States. These laws are implemented by means of the Manual for Courts-Martial, which is issued by the president of the United States in his role as the commander in chief of the military. Other sources that inform criminal liability in the military include the Military Rules of Evidence, regulations issued by the Department of Defense (DOD), regulations of the various service branches, ...