10 USC Subtitle A, PART II, CHAPTER 47, SUBCHAPTER X: PUNITIVE ARTICLES

From Title 10—ARMED FORCESSubtitle A—General Military LawPART II—PERSONNELCHAPTER 47—UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE

SUBCHAPTER X—PUNITIVE ARTICLES


Sec.	Art.
877.	77.	Principals.
878.	78.	Accessory after the fact.
879.	79.	Conviction of offense charged, lesser included offenses, and attempts.
880.	80.	Attempts.
881.	81.	Conspiracy.
882.	82.	Soliciting commission of offenses.
883.	83.	Malingering.
884.	84.	Breach of medical quarantine.
885.	85.	Desertion.
886.	86.	Absence without leave.
887.	87.	Missing movement; jumping from vessel.
887a.	87a.	Resistance, flight, breach of arrest, and escape.
887b.	87b.	Offenses against correctional custody and restriction.
888.	88.	Contempt toward officials.
889.	89.	Disrespect toward superior commissioned officer; assault of superior commissioned officer.
890.	90.	Willfully disobeying superior commissioned officer.
891.	91.	Insubordinate conduct toward warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer.
892.	92.	Failure to obey order or regulation.
893.	93.	Cruelty and maltreatment.
893a.	93a.	Prohibited activities with military recruit or trainee by person in position of special trust.
894.	94.	Mutiny or sedition.
895.	95.	Offenses by sentinel or lookout.
895a.	95a.	Disrespect toward sentinel or lookout.
896.	96.	Release of prisoner without authority; drinking with prisoner.
897.	97.	Unlawful detention.
898.	98.	Misconduct as prisoner.
899.	99.	Misbehavior before the enemy.
900.	100.	Subordinate compelling surrender.
901.	101.	Improper use of countersign.
902.	102.	Forcing a safeguard.
903.	103.	Spies.
903a.	103a.	Espionage.
903b.	103b.	Aiding the enemy.
904.	104.	Public records offenses.
904a.	104a.	Fraudulent enlistment, appointment, or separation.
904b.	104b.	Unlawful enlistment, appointment, or separation.
905.	105.	Forgery.
905a.	105a.	False or unauthorized pass offenses.
906.	106.	Impersonation of officer, noncommissioned or petty officer, or agent or official.
906a.	106a.	Wearing unauthorized insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel button.
907.	107.	False official statements; false swearing.
907a.	107a.	Parole violation.
908.	108.	Military property of United States–Loss, damage, destruction, or wrongful disposition.
908a.	108a.	Captured or abandoned property.
909.	109.	Property other than military property of United States—Waste, spoilage, or destruction.
909a.	109a.	Mail matter: wrongful taking, opening, etc.
910.	110.	Improper hazarding of vessel or aircraft.
911.	111.	Leaving scene of vehicle accident.
912.	112.	Drunkenness and other incapacitation offenses.
912a.	112a.	Wrongful use, possession, etc., of controlled substances.
913.	113.	Drunken or reckless operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel.
914.	114.	Endangerment offenses.
915.	115.	Communicating threats.
916.	116.	Riot or breach of peace.
917.	117.	Provoking speeches or gestures.
917a.	117a.	Wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images.¹
918.	118.	Murder.
919.	119.	Manslaughter.
919a.	119a.	Death or injury of an unborn child.
919b.	119b.	Child endangerment.
920.	120.	Rape and sexual assault generally.
920a.	120a.	Mails: deposit of obscene matter.
920b.	120b.	Rape and sexual assault of a child.
920c.	120c.	Other sexual misconduct.
921.	121.	Larceny and wrongful appropriation.
921a.	121a.	Fraudulent use of credit cards, debit cards, and other access devices.
921b.	121b.	False pretenses to obtain services.
922.	122.	Robbery.
922a.	122a.	Receiving stolen property.
923.	123.	Offenses concerning Government computers.
923a.	123a.	Making, drawing, or uttering check, draft, or order without sufficient funds.
924.	124.	Frauds against the United States.
924a.	124a.	Bribery.
924b.	124b.	Graft.
925.	125.	Kidnapping.
926.	126.	Arson; burning property with intent to defraud.
927.	127.	Extortion.
928.	128.	Assault.
928a.	128a.	Maiming.
928b.	128b.	Domestic violence.
929.	129.	Burglary; unlawful entry.
[929a.	129a.	Omitted.]
930.	130.	Stalking.
931.	131.	Perjury.
931a.	131a.	Subornation of perjury.
931b.	131b.	Obstructing justice.
931c.	131c.	Misprision of serious offense.
931d.	131d.	Wrongful refusal to testify.
931e.	131e.	Prevention of authorized seizure of property.
931f.	131f.	Noncompliance with procedural rules.
931g.	131g.	Wrongful interference with adverse administrative proceeding.
932.	132.	Retaliation.
933.	133.	Conduct unbecoming an officer.
934.	134.	General article.

¹ Editorially added, see second 2017 Amendment note below.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, §542(b), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1709, substituted "Conduct unbecoming an officer" for "Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman" in item 933.

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §532(a)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1759, added item 928b.

2017—Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(d)(18), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1600, amended Pub. L. 114–328, §5452. See 2016 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, §533(b), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1390, added item 917a. As amended generally by section 5452 of Pub. L. 114–328, which was enacted Dec. 23, 2016, but effective Jan. 1, 2019 (see 2016 Amendment note below), analysis no longer included item 917a, but item was added back editorially, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5452, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2958, as amended by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(d)(18), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1600, amended analysis generally, substituting items 877 to 934 for former items 877 to 934.

2013—Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XVII, §1707(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 961, substituted "Forcible sodomy; bestiality" for "Sodomy" in item 925.

2011—Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §541(e), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1410, substituted "Rape and sexual assault generally" for "Rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct" in item 920 and added items 920b and 920c.

2006—Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §552(a)(2), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3262, substituted "Rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct" for "Rape and carnal knowledge" in item 920.

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §551(a)(2), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3256, added item 920a.

2004—Pub. L. 108–212, §3(b), Apr. 1, 2004, 118 Stat. 570, added item 919a.

1997—Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, §1073(a)(10), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1900, struck out "Art." before "95" in item 895.

1996—Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XI, §1112(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 461, inserted "flight," after "Resistance," in item 895.

1992—Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title X, §1066(a)(2), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2506, substituted "operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel" for "driving" in item 911.

1985—Pub. L. 99–145, title V, §534(b), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 635, added item 906a.

1983—Pub. L. 98–209, §8(b), Dec. 6, 1983, 97 Stat. 1404, added item 912a.

1961—Pub. L. 87–385, §1(2), Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 814, added item 923a.

§877. Art. 77. Principals

Any person punishable under this chapter who—

(1) commits an offense punishable by this chapter, or aids, abets, counsels, commands, or procures its commission; or

(2) causes an act to be done which if directly performed by him would be punishable by this chapter;

is a principal.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 65.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
877	50:671.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 77), 64 Stat. 134.

§878. Art. 78. Accessory after the fact

Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that an offense punishable by this chapter has been committed, receives, comforts, or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial, or punishment shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 65.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
878	50:672.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 78), 64 Stat. 134.

§879. Art. 79. Conviction of offense charged, lesser included offenses, and attempts

(a) In General.—An accused may be found guilty of any of the following:

(1) The offense charged.

(2) A lesser included offense.

(3) An attempt to commit the offense charged.

(4) An attempt to commit a lesser included offense, if the attempt is an offense in its own right.

(b) Lesser Included Offense Defined.—In this section (article), the term "lesser included offense" means—

(1) an offense that is necessarily included in the offense charged; and

(2) any lesser included offense so designated by regulation prescribed by the President.

(c) Regulatory Authority.—Any designation of a lesser included offense in a regulation referred to in subsection (b) shall be reasonably included in the greater offense.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 65; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5402, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
879	50:673.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 79), 64 Stat. 134.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "An accused may be found guilty of an offense necessarily included in the offense charged or of an attempt to commit either the offense charged or an offense necessarily included therein."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–328 effective on Jan. 1, 2019, as designated by the President, with implementing regulations and provisions relating to applicability to various situations, see section 5542 of Pub. L. 114–328 and Ex. Ord. No. 13825, set out as notes under section 801 of this title.

§880. Art. 80. Attempts

(a) An act, done with specific intent to commit an offense under this chapter, amounting to more than mere preparation and tending, even though failing, to effect its commission, is an attempt to commit that offense.

(b) Any person subject to this chapter who attempts to commit any offense punishable by this chapter shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, unless otherwise specifically prescribed.

(c) Any person subject to this chapter may be convicted of an attempt to commit an offense although it appears on the trial that the offense was consummated.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 65.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
880(a) 880(b)	50:674(a). 50:674(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 80), 64 Stat. 134.
880(c)	50:674(c).

In subsection (a), the words "even though" are substituted for the word "but" for clarity.

§881. Art. 81. Conspiracy

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who conspires with any other person to commit an offense under this chapter shall, if one or more of the conspirators does an act to effect the object of the conspiracy, be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Any person subject to this chapter who conspires with any other person to commit an offense under the law of war, and who knowingly does an overt act to effect the object of the conspiracy, shall be punished, if death results to one or more of the victims, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct, and, if death does not result to any of the victims, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial or military commission may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 66; Pub. L. 109–366, §4(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2631.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
881	50:675.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 81), 64 Stat. 134.

The words "or persons" are omitted as surplusage, since under section 1 of title 1 words importing the singular may apply to several persons.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–366 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

§882. Art. 82. Soliciting commission of offenses

(a) Soliciting Commission of Offenses Generally.—Any person subject to this chapter who solicits or advises another to commit an offense under this chapter (other than an offense specified in subsection (b)) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Soliciting Desertion, Mutiny, Sedition, or Misbehavior Before the Enemy.—Any person subject to this chapter who solicits or advises another to violate section 885 of this title (article 85), section 894 of this title (article 94), or section 899 of this title (article 99)—

(1) if the offense solicited or advised is attempted or is committed, shall be punished with the punishment provided for the commission of the offense; and

(2) if the offense solicited or advised is not attempted or committed, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 66; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5403, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(c)(1)(M), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1598.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
882(a) 882(b)	50:676(a). 50:676(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1, (Art. 82), 64 Stat. 134.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "section 899" for "section 99" in introductory provisions.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to solicitation of desertion, mutiny, misbehavior before the enemy, or sedition.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–91 effective immediately after the amendments made by div. E (§§5001–5542) of Pub. L. 114–328 take effect as provided for in section 5542 of that Act (10 U.S.C. 801 note), see section 1081(c)(4) of Pub. L. 115–91, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§883. Art. 83. Malingering

Any person subject to this chapter who, with the intent to avoid work, duty, or service—

(1) feigns illness, physical disablement, mental lapse, or mental derangement; or

(2) intentionally inflicts self-injury;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5404, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2940.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 883 was renumbered section 904a of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on Jan. 1, 2019, as designated by the President, with implementing regulations and provisions relating to applicability to various situations, see section 5542 of Pub. L. 114–328 and Ex. Ord. No. 13825, set out as notes under section 801 of this title.

§884. Art. 84. Breach of medical quarantine

Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is ordered into medical quarantine by a person authorized to issue such order; and

(2) who, with knowledge of the quarantine and the limits of the quarantine, goes beyond those limits before being released from the quarantine by proper authority;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5405, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2940.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 884 was renumbered section 904b of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§885. Art. 85. Desertion

(a) Any member of the armed forces who—

(1) without authority goes or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty with intent to remain away therefrom permanently;

(2) quits his unit, organization, or place of duty with intent to avoid hazardous duty or to shirk important service; or

(3) without being regularly separated from one of the armed forces enlists or accepts an appointment in the same or another one of the armed forces without fully disclosing the fact that he has not been regularly separated, or enters any foreign armed service except when authorized by the United States;

is guilty of desertion.

(b) Any commissioned officer of the armed forces who, after tender of his resignation and before notice of its acceptance, quits his post or proper duties without leave and with intent to remain away therefrom permanently is guilty of desertion.

(c) Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 67.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
885(a) 885(b)	50:679(a). 50:679(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 85), 64 Stat. 135.
885(c)	50:679(c).

In subsection (a), the word "unit" is substituted for the words "place of service" to conform to clause (2) of this section and section 886(3) of this title. The word "proper" is omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (b), the word "commissioned" is inserted for clarity. The word "before" is substituted for the words "prior to". The words "its acceptance" are substituted for the words "the acceptance of the same". The words "after tender of" are substituted for the words "having tendered" for clarity. The word "due" is omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (c), the words "attempt to desert" are substituted for the words "attempted desertion".

§886. Art. 86. Absence without leave

Any member of the armed forces who, without authority—

(1) fails to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed;

(2) goes from that place; or

(3) absents himself or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty at which he is required to be at the time prescribed;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 67.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
886	50:680.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 86), 64 Stat. 135.

The words "proper" and "other" are omitted as surplusage.

§887. Art. 87. Missing movement; jumping from vessel

(a) Missing Movement.—Any person subject to this chapter who, through neglect or design, misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which the person is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Jumping From Vessel Into the Water.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully and intentionally jumps into the water from a vessel in use by the armed forces shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 67; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5406, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2940.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
887	50:681.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 87), 64 Stat. 135.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§887a. Art. 87a. Resistance, flight, breach of arrest, and escape

Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) resists apprehension;

(2) flees from apprehension;

(3) breaks arrest; or

(4) escapes from custody or confinement;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 69, §895; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XI, §1112(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 461; renumbered §887a, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(2), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
895	50:689.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 95), 64 Stat. 136.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 895 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§887b. Art. 87b. Offenses against correctional custody and restriction

(a) Escape From Correctional Custody.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is placed in correctional custody by a person authorized to do so;

(2) who, while in correctional custody, is under physical restraint; and

(3) who escapes from the physical restraint before being released from the physical restraint by proper authority;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Breach of Correctional Custody.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is placed in correctional custody by a person authorized to do so;

(2) who, while in correctional custody, is under restraint other than physical restraint; and

(3) who goes beyond the limits of the restraint before being released from the correctional custody or relieved of the restraint by proper authority;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(1) who is ordered to be restricted to certain limits by a person authorized to do so; and

(2) who, with knowledge of the limits of the restriction, goes beyond those limits before being released by proper authority;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5407, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2941.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§888. Art. 88. Contempt toward officials

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 67; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §511(25), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2922; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, §1057(a)(3), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3440.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
888	50:682.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 88), 64 Stat. 135.

The word "commissioned" is inserted for clarity. The words "the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession" are substituted for the words "Vice President, Congress, Secretary of Defense, or a Secretary of a Department, a Governor or a legislature of any State, Territory, or other possession of the United States".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–163 struck out "Territory," after "State,".

2002—Pub. L. 107–296 substituted "Secretary of Homeland Security" for "Secretary of Transportation".

1980—Pub. L. 96–513 substituted "Secretary of Transportation" for "Secretary of the Treasury".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701(b)(3) of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

§889. Art. 89. Disrespect toward superior commissioned officer; assault of superior commissioned officer

(a) Disrespect.—Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward that person's superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Assault.—Any person subject to this chapter who strikes that person's superior commissioned officer or draws or lifts up any weapon or offers any violence against that officer while the officer is in the execution of the officer's office shall be punished—

(1) if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct; and

(2) if the offense is committed at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 67; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5408, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2941.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
889	50:683.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 89), 64 Stat. 135.

The word "commissioned" is inserted for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in subsec. (b) of this section were contained in section 890 of this title, prior to amendment by Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5409, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2942.

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§890. Art. 90. Willfully disobeying superior commissioned officer

Any person subject to this chapter who willfully disobeys a lawful command of that person's superior commissioned officer shall be punished—

(1) if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct; and

(2) if the offense is committed at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 68; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5409, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2942.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
890	50:684.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 90), 64 Stat. 135.

The word "commissioned" is inserted for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to the offense of assaulting or willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer. See section 889(b) of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§891. Art. 91. Insubordinate conduct toward warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer

Any warrant officer or enlisted member who—

(1) strikes or assaults a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer, while that officer is in the execution of his office;

(2) willfully disobeys the lawful order of a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer; or

(3) treats with contempt or is disrespectful in language or deportment toward a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer, while that officer is in the execution of his office;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 68.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
891	50:685.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 91), 64 Stat. 136.

The word "member" is substituted for the word "person".

§892. Art. 92. Failure to obey order or regulation

Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) violates or fails to obey any lawful general order or regulation;

(2) having knowledge of any other lawful order issued by a member of the armed forces, which it is his duty to obey, fails to obey the order; or

(3) is derelict in the performance of his duties;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 68.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
892	50:686.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 92), 64 Stat. 136.

The word "order" is substituted for the word "same".

§893. Art. 93. Cruelty and maltreatment

Any person subject to this chapter who is guilty of cruelty toward, or oppression or maltreatment of, any person subject to his orders shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 68.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
893	50:687.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 93), 64 Stat. 136.

§893a. Art. 93a. Prohibited activities with military recruit or trainee by person in position of special trust

(a) Abuse of Training Leadership Position.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is an officer, a noncommissioned officer, or a petty officer;

(2) who is in a training leadership position with respect to a specially protected junior member of the armed forces; and

(3) who engages in prohibited sexual activity with such specially protected junior member of the armed forces;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Abuse of Position as Military Recruiter.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is a military recruiter and engages in prohibited sexual activity with an applicant for military service; or

(2) who is a military recruiter and engages in prohibited sexual activity with a specially protected junior member of the armed forces who is enlisted under a delayed entry program;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(d) Definitions.—In this section (article):

(1) Specially protected junior member of the armed forces.—The term "specially protected junior member of the armed forces" means—

(A) a member of the armed forces who is assigned to, or is awaiting assignment to, basic training or other initial active duty for training, including a member who is enlisted under a delayed entry program;

(B) a member of the armed forces who is a cadet, a midshipman, an officer candidate, or a student in any other officer qualification program; and

(C) a member of the armed forces in any program that, by regulation prescribed by the Secretary concerned, is identified as a training program for initial career qualification.

(2) Training leadership position.—The term "training leadership position" means, with respect to a specially protected junior member of the armed forces, any of the following:

(A) Any drill instructor position or other leadership position in a basic training program, an officer candidate school, a reserve officers' training corps unit, a training program for entry into the armed forces, or any program that, by regulation prescribed by the Secretary concerned, is identified as a training program for initial career qualification.

(B) Faculty and staff of the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Coast Guard Academy.

(3) Applicant for military service.—The term "applicant for military service" means a person who, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, is an applicant for original enlistment or appointment in the armed forces.

(4) Military recruiter.—The term "military recruiter" means a person who, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, has the primary duty to recruit persons for military service.

(5) Prohibited sexual activity.—The term "prohibited sexual activity" means, as specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, inappropriate physical intimacy under circumstances described in such regulations.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5410, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2942.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§894. Art. 94. Mutiny or sedition

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) with intent to usurp or override lawful military authority, refuses, in concert with any other person, to obey orders or otherwise do his duty or creates any violence or disturbance is guilty of mutiny;

(2) with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of lawful civil authority, creates, in concert with any other person, revolt, violence, or other disturbance against that authority is guilty of sedition;

(3) fails to do his utmost to prevent and suppress a mutiny or sedition being committed in his presence, or fails to take all reasonable means to inform his superior commissioned officer or commanding officer of a mutiny or sedition which he knows or has reason to believe is taking place, is guilty of a failure to suppress or report a mutiny or sedition.

(b) A person who is found guilty of attempted mutiny, mutiny, sedition, or failure to suppress or report a mutiny or sedition shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 68.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
894(a) 894(b)	50:688(a). 50:688(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 94), 64 Stat. 136.

In subsection (a)(1) and (2), the words "or persons" are omitted, since, under section 1 of title 1, words importing the singular may apply to several persons.

In subsection (a)(3), the word "a" is substituted for the words "an offense of". The words "commissioned officer" are inserted after the word "superior", for clarity.

§895. Art. 95. Offenses by sentinel or lookout

(a) Drunk or Sleeping on Post, or Leaving Post Before Being Relieved.—Any sentinel or lookout who is drunk on post, who sleeps on post, or who leaves post before being regularly relieved, shall be punished—

(1) if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct; and

(2) if the offense is committed other than in time of war, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Loitering or Wrongfully Sitting on Post.—Any sentinel or lookout who loiters or wrongfully sits down on post shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72, §913; renumbered §895 and amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §§5401(8), 5411, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938, 2943.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
913	50:707.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 113), 64 Stat. 139.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 895 was renumbered section 887a of this title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, §5411, amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any sentinel or look-out who is found drunk or sleeping upon his post, or leaves it before he is regularly relieved, shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the offense is committed at any other time, by such punishment other than death as a court-martial may direct."

Pub. L. 114–328, §5401(8), renumbered section 913 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§895a. Art. 95a. Disrespect toward sentinel or lookout

(a) Disrespectful Language Toward Sentinel or Lookout.—Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that another person is a sentinel or lookout, uses wrongful and disrespectful language that is directed toward and within the hearing of the sentinel or lookout, who is in the execution of duties as a sentinel or lookout, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Disrespectful Behavior Toward Sentinel or Lookout.—Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that another person is a sentinel or lookout, behaves in a wrongful and disrespectful manner that is directed toward and within the sight of the sentinel or lookout, who is in the execution of duties as a sentinel or lookout, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5412, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2943.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§896. Art. 96. Release of prisoner without authority; drinking with prisoner

(a) Release of Prisoner Without Authority.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who, without authority to do so, releases a prisoner; or

(2) who, through neglect or design, allows a prisoner to escape;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, whether or not the prisoner was committed in strict compliance with the law.

(b) Drinking With Prisoner.—Any person subject to this chapter who unlawfully drinks any alcoholic beverage with a prisoner shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 69; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5413, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2944.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
896	50:690.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 96), 64 Stat. 136.

The words "whether or not the prisoner was committed in strict compliance with law" are substituted for the word "duly", to reflect the long standing construction expressed in the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1951, par. 175a.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who, without proper authority, releases any prisoner committed to his charge, or who through neglect or design suffers any such prisoner to escape, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, whether or not the prisoner was committed in strict compliance with law."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§897. Art. 97. Unlawful detention

Any person subject to this chapter who, except as provided by law, apprehends, arrests, or confines any person shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 69.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
897	50:691.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 97), 64 Stat. 137.

§898. Art. 98. Misconduct as prisoner

Any person subject to this chapter who, while in the hands of the enemy in time of war—

(1) for the purpose of securing favorable treatment by his captors acts without proper authority in a manner contrary to law, custom, or regulation, to the detriment of others of whatever nationality held by the enemy as civilian or military prisoners; or

(2) while in a position of authority over such persons maltreats them without justifiable cause;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 71, §905; renumbered §898, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(6), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
905	50:699.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 105), 64 Stat. 138.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 898 was renumbered section 931f of this title.

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 905 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§899. Art. 99. Misbehavior before the enemy

Any member of the armed forces who before or in the presence of the enemy—

(1) runs away;

(2) shamefully abandons, surrenders, or delivers up any command, unit, place, or military property which it is his duty to defend;

(3) through disobedience, neglect, or intentional misconduct endangers the safety of any such command, unit, place, or military property;

(4) casts away his arms or ammunition;

(5) is guilty of cowardly conduct;

(6) quits his place of duty to plunder or pillage;

(7) causes false alarms in any command, unit, or place under control of the armed forces;

(8) willfully fails to do his utmost to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy any enemy troops, combatants, vessels, aircraft, or any other thing, which it is his duty so to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy; or

(9) does not afford all practicable relief and assistance to any troops, combatants, vessels, or aircraft of the armed forces belonging to the United States or their allies when engaged in battle;

shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 69.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
899	50:693.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 99), 64 Stat. 137.

§900. Art. 100. Subordinate compelling surrender

Any person subject to this chapter who compels or attempts to compel the commander of any place, vessel, aircraft, or other military property, or of any body of members of the armed forces, to give it up to an enemy or to abandon it, or who strikes the colors or flag to an enemy without proper authority, shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 70.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
900	50:694.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 100), 64 Stat. 137.

§901. Art. 101. Improper use of countersign

Any person subject to this chapter who in time of war discloses the parole or countersign to any person not entitled to receive it or who gives to another who is entitled to receive and use the parole or countersign a different parole or countersign from that which, to his knowledge, he was authorized and required to give, shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 70.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
901	50:695.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 101), 64 Stat. 137.

§902. Art. 102. Forcing a safeguard

Any person subject to this chapter who forces a safeguard shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 70.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
902	50:696.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 102), 64 Stat. 137.

§903. Art. 103. Spies

Any person who in time of war is found lurking as a spy or acting as a spy in or about any place, vessel, or aircraft, within the control or jurisdiction of any of the armed forces, or in or about any shipyard, any manufacturing or industrial plant, or any other place or institution engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the United States, or elsewhere, shall be tried by a general court-martial or by a military commission and on conviction shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial or a military commission may direct. This section does not apply to a military commission established under chapter 47A of this title.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 71, §906; Pub. L. 109–366, §4(a)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2631; renumbered §903 and amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §§5401(7), 5414, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938, 2944.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
906	50:700.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 106), 64 Stat. 138.

The words "of the United States" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 903 was renumbered section 908a of this title.

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, §5414, inserted "or such other punishment as a court-martial or a military commission may direct" after "punished by death".

Pub. L. 114–328, §5401(7), renumbered section 906 of this title as this section.

2006—Pub. L. 109–366 inserted last sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Executive Documents

Proclamation No. 2561. Enemies Denied Access to United States Courts

Proc. No. 2561, July 2, 1942, 7 F.R. 5101, 56 Stat. 1964, provided:

Whereas the safety of the United States demands that all enemies who have entered upon the territory of the United States as part of an invasion or predatory incursion, or who have entered in order to commit sabotage, espionage or other hostile or warlike acts, should be promptly tried in accordance with the law of war;

Now, therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States, do hereby proclaim that all persons who are subjects, citizens or residents of any nation at war with the United States or who give obedience to or act under the direction of any such nation, and who during time of war enter or attempt to enter the United States or any territory or possession thereof, through coastal or boundary defenses, and are charged with committing or attempting or preparing to commit sabotage, espionage, hostile or warlike acts, or violations of the law of war, shall be subject to the law of war and to the jurisdiction of military tribunals; and that such persons shall not be privileged to seek any remedy or maintain any proceeding directly or indirectly, or to have any such remedy or proceeding sought on their behalf, in the courts of the United States, or of its States, territories, and possessions, except under such regulations as the Attorney General, with the approval of the Secretary of War, may from time to time prescribe.

§903a. Art. 103a. Espionage

(a)(1) Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent or reason to believe that it is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, communicates, delivers, or transmits, or attempts to communicate, deliver, or transmit, to any entity described in paragraph (2), either directly or indirectly, anything described in paragraph (3) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct, except that if the accused is found guilty of an offense that directly concerns (A) nuclear weaponry, military spacecraft or satellites, early warning systems, or other means of defense or retaliation against large scale attack, (B) war plans, (C) communications intelligence or cryptographic information, or (D) any other major weapons system or major element of defense strategy, the accused shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(2) An entity referred to in paragraph (1) is—

(A) a foreign government;

(B) a faction or party or military or naval force within a foreign country, whether recognized or unrecognized by the United States; or

(3) A thing referred to in paragraph (1) is a document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, note, instrument, appliance, or information relating to the national defense.

(b)(1) No person may be sentenced by court-martial to suffer death for an offense under this section (article) unless—

(A) the members of the court-martial unanimously find at least one of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c); and

(B) the members unanimously determine that any extenuating or mitigating circumstances are substantially outweighed by any aggravating circumstances, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (c).

(2) Findings under this subsection may be based on—

(A) evidence introduced on the issue of guilt or innocence;

(B) evidence introduced during the sentencing proceeding; or

(3) The accused shall be given broad latitude to present matters in extenuation and mitigation.

(c) A sentence of death may be adjudged by a court-martial for an offense under this section (article) only if the members unanimously find, beyond a reasonable doubt, one or more of the following aggravating factors:

(1) The accused has been convicted of another offense involving espionage or treason for which either a sentence of death or imprisonment for life was authorized by statute.

(2) In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of substantial damage to the national security.

(3) In the commission of the offense, the accused knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person.

(4) Any other factor that may be prescribed by the President by regulations under section 836 of this title (article 36).

(Added Pub. L. 99–145, title V, §534(a), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 634, §906a; renumbered §903a, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(7), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 906a of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§903b. Art. 103b. Aiding the enemy

Any person who—

(1) aids, or attempts to aid, the enemy with arms, ammunition, supplies, money, or other things; or

(2) without proper authority, knowingly harbors or protects or gives intelligence to, or communicates or corresponds with or holds any intercourse with the enemy, either directly or indirectly;

shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct. This section does not apply to a military commission established under chapter 47A of this title.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 70, §904; Pub. L. 109–366, §4(a)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2631; renumbered §903b, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(5), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
904	50:698.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 104), 64 Stat. 138.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 904 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§904. Art. 104. Public records offenses

Any person subject to this chapter who, willfully and unlawfully—

(1) alters, conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, or destroys a public record; or

(2) takes a public record with the intent to alter, conceal, remove, mutilate, obliterate, or destroy the public record;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5415, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2944.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 904 was renumbered section 903b of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§904a. Art. 104a. Fraudulent enlistment, appointment, or separation

Any person who—

(1) procures his own enlistment or appointment in the armed forces by knowingly false representation or deliberate concealment as to his qualifications for that enlistment or appointment and receives pay or allowances thereunder; or

(2) procures his own separation from the armed forces by knowingly false representation or deliberate concealment as to his eligibility for that separation;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 66, §883; renumbered §904a, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
883	50:677.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 83), 64 Stat. 134.

In clauses (1) and (2), the words "means of" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 883 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§904b. Art. 104b. Unlawful enlistment, appointment, or separation

Any person subject to this chapter who effects an enlistment or appointment in or a separation from the armed forces of any person who is known to him to be ineligible for that enlistment, appointment, or separation because it is prohibited by law, regulation, or order shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 66, §884; renumbered §904b, Pub. L. 114–328, title LX, §5401(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
884	50:678.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 84), 64 Stat. 135.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 884 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§905. Art. 105. Forgery

Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to defraud—

(1) falsely makes or alters any signature to, or any part of, any writing which would, if genuine, apparently impose a legal liability on another or change his legal right or liability to his prejudice; or

(2) utters, offers, issues, or transfers such a writing, known by him to be so made or altered;

is guilty of forgery and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 74, §923; renumbered §905, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(12), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
923	50:717.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 123), 64 Stat. 141.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 905 was renumbered section 898 of this title.

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 923 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§905a. Art. 105a. False or unauthorized pass offenses

(a) Wrongful Making, Altering, etc.—Any person subject to this chapter who, wrongfully and falsely, makes, alters, counterfeits, or tampers with a military or official pass, permit, discharge certificate, or identification card shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Wrongful Sale, etc.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully sells, gives, lends, or disposes of a false or unauthorized military or official pass, permit, discharge certificate, or identification card, knowing that the pass, permit, discharge certificate, or identification card is false or unauthorized, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Wrongful Use or Possession.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully uses or possesses a false or unauthorized military or official pass, permit, discharge certificate, or identification card, knowing that the pass, permit, discharge certificate, or identification card is false or unauthorized, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5416, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2944.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§906. Art. 106. Impersonation of officer, noncommissioned or petty officer, or agent or official

(a) In General.—Any person subject to this chapter who, wrongfully and willfully, impersonates—

(1) an officer, a noncommissioned officer, or a petty officer;

(2) an agent of superior authority of one of the armed forces; or

(3) an official of a government;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Impersonation With Intent to Defraud.—Any person subject to this chapter who, wrongfully, willfully, and with intent to defraud, impersonates any person referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Impersonation of Government Official Without Intent to Defraud.—Any person subject to this chapter who, wrongfully, willfully, and without intent to defraud, impersonates an official of a government by committing an act that exercises or asserts the authority of the office that the person claims to have shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, title LX, §5417, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2945.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 906 was renumbered section 903 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§906a. Art. 106a. Wearing unauthorized insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel button

Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is not authorized to wear an insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel button; and

(2) who wrongfully wears such insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel button upon the person's uniform or civilian clothing;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5418, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2945.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 906a was renumbered section 903a of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§907. Art. 107. False official statements; false swearing

(a) False Official Statements.—Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to deceive—

(1) signs any false record, return, regulation, order, or other official document, knowing it to be false; or

(2) makes any other false official statement knowing it to be false;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) False Swearing.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who takes an oath that—

(A) is administered in a matter in which such oath is required or authorized by law; and

(B) is administered by a person with authority to do so; and

(2) who, upon such oath, makes or subscribes to a statement;

if the statement is false and at the time of taking the oath, the person does not believe the statement to be true, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 71; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5419, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2946.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
907	50:701.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 107), 64 Stat. 138.

The word "it" is substituted for the words "the same".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to deceive, signs any false record, return, regulation, order, or other official document, knowing it to be false, or makes any other false official statement knowing it to be false, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§907a. Art. 107a. Parole violation

Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who, having been a prisoner as the result of a court-martial conviction or other criminal proceeding, is on parole with conditions; and

(2) who violates the conditions of parole;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5420, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2946.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§908. Art. 108. Military property of United States—Loss, damage, destruction, or wrongful disposition

Any person subject to this chapter who, without proper authority—

(1) sells or otherwise disposes of;

(2) willfully or through neglect damages, destroys, or loses; or

(3) willfully or through neglect suffers to be lost, damaged, destroyed, sold, or wrongfully disposed of;

any military property of the United States, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 71.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
908	50:702.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 108), 64 Stat. 138.

§908a. Art. 108a. Captured or abandoned property

(a) All persons subject to this chapter shall secure all public property taken from the enemy for the service of the United States, and shall give notice and turn over to the proper authority without delay all captured or abandoned property in their possession, custody, or control.

(b) Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) fails to carry out the duties prescribed in subsection (a);

(2) buys, sells, trades, or in any way deals in or disposes of captured or abandoned property, whereby he receives or expects any profit, benefit, or advantage to himself or another directly or indirectly connected with himself; or

(3) engages in looting or pillaging;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 70, §903; renumbered §908a, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(4), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
903(a) 903(b)	50:697(a). 50:697(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 103), 64 Stat. 138.

In subsection (b)(1), the words "of this section" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 903 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§909. Art. 109. Property other than military property of United States—Waste, spoilage, or destruction

Any person subject to this chapter who willfully or recklessly wastes, spoils, or otherwise willfully and wrongfully destroys or damages any property other than military property of the United States shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 71.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
909	50:703.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 109), 64 Stat. 139.

§909a. Art. 109a. Mail matter: wrongful taking, opening, etc.

(a) Taking.—Any person subject to this chapter who, with the intent to obstruct the correspondence of, or to pry into the business or secrets of, any person or organization, wrongfully takes mail matter before the mail matter is delivered to or received by the addressee shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Opening, Secreting, Destroying, Stealing.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully opens, secretes, destroys, or steals mail matter before the mail matter is delivered to or received by the addressee shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5421, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2946.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§910. Art. 110. Improper hazarding of vessel or aircraft

(a) Willful and Wrongful Hazarding.—Any person subject to this chapter who, willfully and wrongfully, hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel or aircraft of the armed forces shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Negligent Hazarding.—Any person subject to this chapter who negligently hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel or aircraft of the armed forces shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 71; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5422, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2947.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
910(a) 910(b)	50:704(a). 50:704(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 110), 64 Stat. 139.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(a) Any person subject to this chapter who willfully and wrongfully hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel of the armed forces shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

"(b) Any person subject to this chapter who negligently hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel of the armed forces shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§911. Art. 111. Leaving scene of vehicle accident

(a) Driver.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is the driver of a vehicle that is involved in an accident that results in personal injury or property damage; and

(2) who wrongfully leaves the scene of the accident—

(A) without providing assistance to an injured person; or

(B) without providing personal identification to others involved in the accident or to appropriate authorities;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Senior Passenger.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who is a passenger in a vehicle that is involved in an accident that results in personal injury or property damage;

(2) who is the superior commissioned or noncommissioned officer of the driver of the vehicle or is the commander of the vehicle; and

(3) who wrongfully and unlawfully orders, causes, or permits the driver to leave the scene of the accident—

(A) without providing assistance to an injured person; or

(B) without providing personal identification to others involved in the accident or to appropriate authorities;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5423, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2947.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 911 was renumbered section 913 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§912. Art. 112. Drunkenness and other incapacitation offenses

(a) Drunk on Duty.—Any person subject to this chapter who is drunk on duty shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Incapacitation for Duty From Drunkenness or Drug Use.—Any person subject to this chapter who, as a result of indulgence in any alcoholic beverage or any drug, is incapacitated for the proper performance of duty shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Drunk Prisoner.—Any person subject to this chapter who is a prisoner and, while in such status, is drunk shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5424, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2947.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
912	50:706.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 112), 64 Stat. 139.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter other than a sentinel or look-out, who is found drunk on duty, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§912a. Art. 112a. Wrongful use, possession, etc., of controlled substances

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully uses, possesses, manufactures, distributes, imports into the customs territory of the United States, exports from the United States, or introduces into an installation, vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used by or under the control of the armed forces a substance described in subsection (b) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) The substances referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1) Opium, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, barbituric acid, and marijuana and any compound or derivative of any such substance.

(2) Any substance not specified in clause (1) that is listed on a schedule of controlled substances prescribed by the President for the purposes of this article.

(3) Any other substance not specified in clause (1) or contained on a list prescribed by the President under clause (2) that is listed in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812).

(Added Pub. L. 98–209, §8(a), Dec. 6, 1983, 97 Stat. 1403.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective first day of eighth calendar month beginning after Dec. 6, 1983, but not applicable to any offense committed before that date and not to be construed to invalidate the prosecution of any offense committed before that date, see section 12(a)(1), (5) of Pub. L. 98–209, set out as an Effective Date of 1983 Amendment note under section 801 of this title.

Procedures for Forensic Examination of Certain Physiological Evidence

Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, §1248, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1166, provided that:

"(a) Establishment of Procedures.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish procedures to ensure that whenever, in connection with a criminal investigation conducted by or for a military department, a physiological specimen is obtained from a person for the purpose of determining whether that person has used a controlled substance—

"(1) the specimen is in a condition that is suitable for forensic examination when delivered to a forensic laboratory; and

"(2) the investigative agency that submits the specimen to the laboratory receives a written statement of the results of the forensic examination from the laboratory within such period as is necessary to use such results in a court-martial or other criminal proceeding resulting from the investigation.

"(b) Transportation of Specimens.—The procedures prescribed under subsection (a)—

"(1) shall ensure that physiological specimens are preserved and transported in accordance with valid medical and forensic practices; and

"(2) insofar as practicable, shall require transportation of the specimen to an appropriate laboratory by the most expeditious means necessary to carry out the requirement in subsection (a)(1).

"(c) Tests for Use of LSD.—Procedures established under subsection (a) shall ensure that whenever the controlled substance with respect to which a physiological specimen is to be examined is lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), the specimen is submitted to a forensic laboratory that is capable of determining with a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, on the basis of the examination of that specimen, whether the person providing the specimen has used lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

"(d) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as providing a basis, that is not otherwise available in law, for a defense to a charge or a motion for exclusion of evidence or other appropriate relief in any criminal or administrative proceeding.

"(e) Controlled Substances Covered.—For purposes of this section, a controlled substance is a substance described in section 912a(b) of title 10, United States Code.

"(f) Report.—Not later than March 1, 1988, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, a report describing the procedures established under this section."

§913. Art. 113. Drunken or reckless operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) operates or physically controls any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel in a reckless or wanton manner or while impaired by a substance described in section 912a(b) of this title (article 112a(b)), or

(2) operates or is in actual physical control of any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel while drunk or when the alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath is equal to or exceeds the applicable limit under subsection (b),

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b)(1) For purposes of subsection (a), the applicable limit on the alcohol concentration in a person's blood or breath is as follows:

(A) In the case of the operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel in the United States, such limit is the lesser of—

(i) the blood alcohol content limit under the law of the State in which the conduct occurred, except as may be provided under paragraph (2) for conduct on a military installation that is in more than one State; or

(ii) the blood alcohol content limit specified in paragraph (3).

(B) In the case of the operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel outside the United States, the applicable blood alcohol content limit is the blood alcohol content limit specified in paragraph (3) or such lower limit as the Secretary of Defense may by regulation prescribe.

(2) In the case of a military installation that is in more than one State, if those States have different blood alcohol content limits under their respective State laws, the Secretary may select one such blood alcohol content limit to apply uniformly on that installation.

(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the blood alcohol content limit with respect to alcohol concentration in a person's blood is 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood and with respect to alcohol concentration in a person's breath is 0.08 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath, as shown by chemical analysis. The Secretary may by regulation prescribe limits that are lower than the limits specified in the preceding sentence, if such lower limits are based on scientific developments, as reflected in Federal law of general applicability.

(4) In this subsection:

(A) The term "blood alcohol content limit" means the amount of alcohol concentration in a person's blood or breath at which operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel is prohibited.

(B) The term "United States" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa and the term "State" includes each of those jurisdictions.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72, §911; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, §3055, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–76; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title X, §1066(a)(1), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2506; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title V, §576(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1677; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §581, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1123; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §552, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1481; renumbered §913 and amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §§5401(9), 5425, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939, 2948.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
911	50:705.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 111), 64 Stat. 139.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 913 was renumbered section 895 of this title.

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, §5401(9), renumbered section 911 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 114–328, §5425, substituted "0.08 grams" for "0.10 grams" in two places and inserted at end "The Secretary may by regulation prescribe limits that are lower than the limits specified in the preceding sentence, if such lower limits are based on scientific developments, as reflected in Federal law of general applicability."

2003—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–136, §552(1), substituted "is equal to or exceeds" for "is in excess of".

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–136, §552(2)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: "In the case of the operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel in the United States, such limit is the blood alcohol content limit under the law of the State in which the conduct occurred, except as may be provided under paragraph (2) for conduct on a military installation that is in more than one State and subject to the maximum blood alcohol content limit specified in paragraph (3)."

Subsec. (b)(1)(B), (3). Pub. L. 108–136, §552(2)(B), struck out "maximum" before "blood alcohol content specified" in par. (1)(B) and before "blood alcohol content" in par. (3).

Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 108–136, §552(2)(C), substituted "amount of alcohol concentration in a person's blood or breath at which operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel is prohibited." for "maximum permissible alcohol concentration in a person's blood or breath for purposes of operation or control of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel."

2001—Pub. L. 107–107 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted "in excess of the applicable limit under subsection (b)" for "0.10 grams or more of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 0.10 grams or more of alcohol per 210 liters of breath, as shown by chemical analysis" in par. (2), and added subsec. (b).

1993—Par. (2). Pub. L. 103–160 inserted "or more" after "0.10 grams" in two places.

1992—Pub. L. 102–484 substituted "operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel" for "driving" in section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who operates any vehicle while drunk, or in a reckless or wanton manner, or while impaired by a substance described in section 912a(b) of this title (article 112a(b)), shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

1986—Pub. L. 99–570 inserted "or while impaired by a substance described in section 912a(b) of this title (article 112a(b)),".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title V, §576(b), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1677, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendment to section 911 of title 10, United States Code, made by section 1066(a)(1) of Public Law 102–484 on October 23, 1992."

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–484 effective Oct. 23, 1992, and applicable with respect to offenses committed on or after that date, see section 1067 of Pub. L. 102–484, set out as a note under section 803 of this title.

§914. Art. 114. Endangerment offenses

(a) Reckless Endangerment.—Any person subject to this chapter who engages in conduct that—

(1) is wrongful and reckless or is wanton; and

(2) is likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm to another person;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Dueling.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who fights or promotes, or is concerned in or connives at fighting, a duel; or

(2) who, having knowledge of a challenge sent or about to be sent, fails to report the facts promptly to the proper authority;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Firearm Discharge, Endangering Human Life.—Any person subject to this chapter who, willfully and wrongly, discharges a firearm, under circumstances such as to endanger human life shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(d) Carrying Concealed Weapon.—Any person subject to this chapter who unlawfully carries a dangerous weapon concealed on or about his person shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5426, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2948.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
914	50:708.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 114), 64 Stat. 139.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who fights or promotes, or is concerned in or connives at fighting a duel, or who, having knowledge of a challenge sent or about to be sent, fails to report the facts promptly to the proper authority, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§915. Art. 115. Communicating threats

(a) Communicating Threats Generally.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully communicates a threat to injure the person, property, or reputation of another shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Communicating Threat to Use Explosive, etc.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully communicates a threat to injure the person or property of another by use of (1) an explosive, (2) a weapon of mass destruction, (3) a biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon, or (4) a hazardous material, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Communicating False Threat Concerning Use of Explosive, etc.—Any person subject to this chapter who maliciously communicates a false threat concerning injury to the person or property of another by use of (1) an explosive, (2) a weapon of mass destruction, (3) a biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon, or (4) a hazardous material, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. As used in the preceding sentence, the term "false threat" means a threat that, at the time the threat is communicated, is known to be false by the person communicating the threat.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5427, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2948.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
915	50:709.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 115), 64 Stat. 139.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to the offense of malingering. See section 883 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§916. Art. 116. Riot or breach of peace

Any person subject to this chapter who causes or participates in any riot or breach of the peace shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
916	50:710.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 116), 64 Stat. 139.

§917. Art. 117. Provoking speeches or gestures

Any person subject to this chapter who uses provoking or reproachful words or gestures towards any other person subject to this chapter shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
917	50:711.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 117), 64 Stat. 139.

§917a. Art. 117a. Wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images

(a) Prohibition.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who knowingly and wrongfully broadcasts or distributes an intimate visual image of another person or a visual image of sexually explicit conduct involving a person who—

(A) is at least 18 years of age at the time the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct was created;

(B) is identifiable from the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct itself, or from information displayed in connection with the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct; and

(C) does not explicitly consent to the broadcast or distribution of the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct;

(2) who knows or reasonably should have known that the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct was made under circumstances in which the person depicted in the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct retained a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any broadcast or distribution of the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct;

(3) who knows or reasonably should have known that the broadcast or distribution of the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct is likely—

(A) to cause harm, harassment, intimidation, emotional distress, or financial loss for the person depicted in the intimate visual image or visual image of sexually explicit conduct; or

(B) to harm substantially the depicted person with respect to that person's health, safety, business, calling, career, financial condition, reputation, or personal relationships; and

(4) whose conduct, under the circumstances, had a reasonably direct and palpable connection to a military mission or military environment,

is guilty of wrongful distribution of intimate visual images or visual images of sexually explicit conduct and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Broadcast.—The term "broadcast" means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons.

(2) Distribute.—The term "distribute" means to deliver to the actual or constructive possession of another person, including transmission by mail or electronic means.

(3) Intimate visual image.—The term "intimate visual image" means a visual image that depicts a private area of a person.

(4) Private area.—The term "private area" means the naked or underwear-clad genitalia, anus, buttocks, or female areola or nipple.

(5) Reasonable expectation of privacy.—The term "reasonable expectation of privacy" means circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that a private area of the person, or sexually explicit conduct involving the person, would not be visible to the public.

(6) Sexually explicit conduct.—The term "sexually explicit conduct" means actual or simulated genital-genital contact, oral-genital contact, anal-genital contact, or oral-anal contact, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex, bestiality, masturbation, or sadistic or masochistic abuse.

(7) Visual image.—The term "visual image" means the following:

(A) Any developed or undeveloped photograph, picture, film, or video.

(B) Any digital or computer image, picture, film, or video made by any means, including those transmitted by any means, including streaming media, even if not stored in a permanent format.

(Added Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, §533(a), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1389.)

§918. Art. 118. Murder

Any person subject to this chapter who, without justification or excuse, unlawfully kills a human being, when such person—

(1) has a premeditated design to kill;

(2) intends to kill or inflict great bodily harm;

(3) is engaged in an act which is inherently dangerous to another and evinces a wanton disregard of human life; or

(4) is engaged in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of burglary, rape, rape of a child, sexual assault, sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual contact, sexual abuse of a child, robbery, or aggravated arson;

is guilty of murder, and shall suffer such punishment as a court-martial may direct, except that if found guilty under clause (1) or (4), such person shall suffer death or imprisonment for life as a court-martial may direct, unless such person is otherwise sentenced in accordance with a plea agreement entered into between the parties under section 853a of this title (article 53a).

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 72; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title X, §1066(b), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2506; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §552(d), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3263; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §541(d)(2), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1410; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, §531(d)(2)(B), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3364; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5428, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2949; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §531(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 257.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
918	50:712.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 118), 64 Stat. 140.

The words "of this section" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2023—Pub. L. 118–31 substituted "such person" for "he" in introductory and concluding provisions and substituted "direct, unless such person is otherwise sentenced in accordance with a plea agreement entered into between the parties under section 853a of this title (article 53a)." for " direct." in concluding provisions.

2016—Par. (4). Pub. L. 114–328 struck out "forcible sodomy," after "burglary,".

2014—Par. (4). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted "forcible sodomy" for "sodomy".

2011—Par. (4). Pub. L. 112–81 substituted "sexual assault, sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual contact, sexual abuse of a child," for "aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual contact, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual contact with a child,".

2006—Par. (4). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "rape, rape of a child, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual contact, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual contact with a child," for "rape,".

1992—Par. (3). Pub. L. 102–484 substituted "another" for "others".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–81 effective 180 days after Dec. 31, 2011, and applicable with respect to offenses committed on or after such effective date, see section 541(f) of Pub. L. 112–81, set out as a note under section 843 of this title.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–163 effective on Oct. 1, 2007, see section 552(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 843 of this title.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

§919. Art. 119. Manslaughter

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who, with an intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm, unlawfully kills a human being in the heat of sudden passion caused by adequate provocation is guilty of voluntary manslaughter and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Any person subject to this chapter who, without an intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm, unlawfully kills a human being—

(1) by culpable negligence; or

(2) while perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate an offense, other than those named in clause (4) of section 918 of this title (article 118), directly affecting the person;

is guilty of involuntary manslaughter and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 73.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
919(a) 919(b)	50:713(a). 50:713(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 119), 64 Stat. 140.

The word "named" is substituted for the word "specified".

§919a. Art. 119a. Death or injury of an unborn child

(a)(1) Any person subject to this chapter who engages in conduct that violates any of the provisions of law listed in subsection (b) and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury (as defined in section 1365 of title 18) to, a child, who is in utero at the time the conduct takes place, is guilty of a separate offense under this section and shall, upon conviction, be punished by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct, which shall be consistent with the punishments prescribed by the President for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother.

(2) An offense under this section does not require proof that—

(i) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or

(ii) the accused intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child.

(3) If the person engaging in the conduct thereby intentionally kills or attempts to kill the unborn child, that person shall, instead of being punished under paragraph (1), be punished as provided under sections 880, 918, and 919(a) of this title (articles 80, 118, and 119(a)) for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the death penalty shall not be imposed for an offense under this section.

(b) The provisions referred to in subsection (a) are sections 918, 919(a), 919(b)(2), 920(a), 922, 926, 928, and 928a of this title (articles 118, 119(a), 119(b)(2), 120(a), 122, 126, 128, and 128a).

(1) of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law;

(2) of any person for any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or

(3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.

(d) In this section, the term "unborn child" means a child in utero, and the term "child in utero" or "child, who is in utero" means a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb.

(Added Pub. L. 108–212, §3(a), Apr. 1, 2004, 118 Stat. 569; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(13)(B), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(c)(1)(N), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1598.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "926, 928, and 928a" for "928a, 926, and 928" and "126, 128, and 128a" for "128a 126, and 128".

2016—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "928a," for "924," and "128a" for "124,".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§919b. Art. 119b. Child endangerment

Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who has a duty for the care of a child under the age of 16 years; and

(2) who, through design or culpable negligence, endangers the child's mental or physical health, safety, or welfare;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5429, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2949.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§920. Art. 120. Rape and sexual assault generally

(a) Rape.—Any person subject to this chapter who commits a sexual act upon another person by—

(1) using unlawful force against that other person;

(2) using force causing or likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm to any person;

(3) threatening or placing that other person in fear that any person will be subjected to death, grievous bodily harm, or kidnapping;

(4) first rendering that other person unconscious; or

(5) administering to that other person by force or threat of force, or without the knowledge or consent of that person, a drug, intoxicant, or other similar substance and thereby substantially impairing the ability of that other person to appraise or control conduct;

is guilty of rape and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Sexual Assault.—Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) commits a sexual act upon another person by—

(A) threatening or placing that other person in fear;

(B) making a fraudulent representation that the sexual act serves a professional purpose; or

(2) commits a sexual act upon another person—

(A) without the consent of the other person; or

(B) when the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is asleep, unconscious, or otherwise unaware that the sexual act is occurring; or

(3) commits a sexual act upon another person when the other person is incapable of consenting to the sexual act due to—

(A) impairment by any drug, intoxicant, or other similar substance, and that condition is known or reasonably should be known by the person; or

(B) a mental disease or defect, or physical disability, and that condition is known or reasonably should be known by the person;

is guilty of sexual assault and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Aggravated Sexual Contact.—Any person subject to this chapter who commits or causes sexual contact upon or by another person, if to do so would violate subsection (a) (rape) had the sexual contact been a sexual act, is guilty of aggravated sexual contact and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(d) Abusive Sexual Contact.—Any person subject to this chapter who commits or causes sexual contact upon or by another person, if to do so would violate subsection (b) (sexual assault) had the sexual contact been a sexual act, is guilty of abusive sexual contact and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(e) Proof of Threat.—In a prosecution under this section, in proving that a person made a threat, it need not be proven that the person actually intended to carry out the threat or had the ability to carry out the threat.

(f) Defenses.—An accused may raise any applicable defenses available under this chapter or the Rules for Court-Martial. Marriage is not a defense for any conduct in issue in any prosecution under this section.

(g) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Sexual act.—The term "sexual act" means—

(A) the penetration, however slight, of the penis into the vulva or anus or mouth;

(B) contact between the mouth and the penis, vulva, scrotum, or anus; or

(C) the penetration, however slight, of the vulva or penis or anus of another by any part of the body or any object, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade any person or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.

(2) Sexual contact.—The term "sexual contact" means touching, or causing another person to touch, either directly or through the clothing, the vulva, penis, scrotum, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade any person or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. Touching may be accomplished by any part of the body or an object.

(3) Grievous bodily harm.—The term "grievous bodily harm" means serious bodily injury. It includes fractured or dislocated bones, deep cuts, torn members of the body, serious damage to internal organs, and other severe bodily injuries. It does not include minor injuries such as a black eye or a bloody nose.

(4) Force.—The term "force" means—

(A) the use of a weapon;

(B) the use of such physical strength or violence as is sufficient to overcome, restrain, or injure a person; or

(5) Unlawful force.—The term "unlawful force" means an act of force done without legal justification or excuse.

(6) Threatening or placing that other person in fear.—The term "threatening or placing that other person in fear" means a communication or action that is of sufficient consequence to cause a reasonable fear that non-compliance will result in the victim or another person being subjected to the wrongful action contemplated by the communication or action.

(7) Consent.—

(A) The term "consent" means a freely given agreement to the conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance does not constitute consent. Submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear also does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating or social or sexual relationship by itself or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the conduct at issue does not constitute consent.

(B) A sleeping, unconscious, or incompetent person cannot consent. A person cannot consent to force causing or likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm or to being rendered unconscious. A person cannot consent while under threat or in fear or under the circumstances described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subsection (b)(1).

(8) Incapable of consenting.—The term "incapable of consenting" means the person is—

(A) incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct at issue; or

(B) physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating unwillingess to engage in, the sexual act at issue.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 73; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title X, §1066(c), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2506; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XI, §1113, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 462; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §552(a)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3256; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §541(a), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1404; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(f)(9), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1952; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5430(a), (b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2949; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(c)(1)(O), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1598.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
920(a) 920(b) 920(c)	50:714(a). 50:714(b). 50:714(c).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 120), 64 Stat. 140.

In subsection (c), the words "either of" are inserted for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "breast" for "brest".

2016—Subsec. (b)(1)(B) to (D). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(a)(1), redesignated subpars. (C) and (D) as (B) and (C), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "causing bodily harm to that other person;".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(a)(2), inserted dash after "another person", added subpar. (A), and inserted subpar. (B) designation before "when the person".

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(1), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) defined "sexual act".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) defined "sexual contact".

Subsec. (g)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(3), redesignated pars. (4) to (7) as (3) to (6), respectively, and struck out former par. (3) which defined "bodily harm".

Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(3)(B), redesignated par. (8) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (g)(7)(A). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(4)(A)(iii), substituted "does not" for "shall not" in last sentence.

Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(4)(A)(i), (ii), which directed amendment of subpar. (A) by striking out "or submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force, or placing another in fear" in the second sentence and by inserting "Submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear also does not constitute consent." after the second sentence, was executed by striking out "or submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear" after "physical resistance" in the third sentence and by making the insertion after the third sentence, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (g)(7)(B). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(4)(B), which directed substitution of "subparagraph (B) or (C)" for "subparagraph (B) or (D)", was executed by making the substitution for "subparagraph (C) or (D)", to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (g)(7)(C). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(4)(C), struck out "Lack of consent may be inferred based on the circumstances of the offense." at beginning and ", or whether a person did not resist or ceased to resist only because of another person's actions" before period at end.

Subsec. (g)(8). Pub. L. 114–328, §5430(b)(5), added par. (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (7).

2013—Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 112–239 struck out second period at end.

2011—Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(11), substituted "Art. 120. Rape and sexual assault generally" for "Art. 120. Rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to rape.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(3), redesignated subsec. (c) as (b) and amended it generally. Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(2), struck out subsec. (b) which related to rape of a child.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(4), redesignated subsec. (e) as (c) and substituted "commits" for "engages in" and "upon" for "with". Former subsec. (c) redesignated (b).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(5), redesignated subsec. (h) as (d) and substituted "commits" for "engages in", "upon" for "with", and "subsection (b) (sexual assault)" for "subsection (c) (aggravated sexual assault)".

Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(2), struck out subsec. (d) which related to aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(7), redesignated subsec. (p) as (e) and substituted "a person made" for "the accused made" and "the person actually" for "the accused actually" and inserted "or had the ability to carry out the threat" before period at end. Former subsec. (e) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(8), redesignated subsec. (q) as (f) and amended it generally.

Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(2), struck out subsec. (f) which related to aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(2), (10), redesignated subsec. (t) as (g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which related to aggravated sexual contact with a child.

Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(A)(i), inserted "or anus or mouth" after "vulva".

Subsec. (g)(1)(B). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(A)(ii), substituted "vulva or anus or mouth," for "genital opening" and "any part of the body" for "a hand or finger".

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(B), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) defined "sexual contact".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(D), redesignated par. (8) as (3) and inserted ", including any nonconsensual sexual act or nonconsensual sexual contact" before period at end. Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(E), struck out at end "It does not include minor injuries such as a black eye or a bloody nose. It is the same level of injury as in section 928 (article 128) of this chapter, and a lesser degree of injury than in section 2246(4) of title 18."

Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(C), redesignated par. (3) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which defined "dangerous weapon or object".

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(F), (H), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which defined "force".

Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(H), added par. (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(G), (I), redesignated par. (6) as (7), struck out "under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) (rape), or under subsection (e) (aggravated sexual contact)," after "person in fear' ", and substituted "the wrongful action contemplated by the communication or action." for "death, grievous bodily harm, or kidnapping".

Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(F), struck out par. (7) which defined "threatening or placing that other person in fear".

Subsec. (g)(8). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(K), redesignated par. (14) as (8), designated introductory provisions as subpar. (A), in first sentence, struck out "words or overt acts indicating" before "a freely given" and "sexual" before "conduct", in third sentence, struck out "accused's" before "use of force", in fourth sentence, inserted "or social or sexual" before "relationship" and struck out "sexual" before "conduct" and last sentence, including subpars. (A) and (B), which related to a person who cannot consent to sexual activity, and added subpars. (B) and (C). Former par. (8) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (g)(9) to (13). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(J), struck out pars. (9) to (13) which defined "child", "lewd act", "indecent liberty", "indecent conduct", and "act of prostitution", respectively.

Subsec. (g)(14). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(K), redesignated par. (14) as (8).

Subsec. (g)(15), (16). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10)(L), struck out pars. (15) and (16) which defined "mistake of fact as to consent" and "affirmative defense", respectively.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(5), redesignated subsec. (h) as (d).

Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(2), struck out subsecs. (i) and (j) which related to abusive sexual contact with a child and indecent liberty with a child, respectively.

Subsecs. (k) to (n). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(6), struck out subsecs. (k) to (n) which related to indecent act, forcible pandering, wrongful sexual contact, and indecent exposure, respectively.

Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(2), struck out subsec. (o) which related to age of child.

Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(7), redesignated subsec. (p) as (e).

Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(8), redesignated subsec. (q) as (f).

Subsecs. (r), (s). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(9), struck out subsecs. (r) and (s) which related to consent and mistake of fact as to consent and other affirmative defenses not precluded, respectively.

Subsec. (t). Pub. L. 112–81, §541(a)(10), redesignated subsec. (t) as (g).

2006—Pub. L. 109–163 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (t) relating to rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct for subsecs. (a) to (d) relating to rape and carnal knowledge.

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–106, §1113(a), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who, under circumstances not amounting to rape, commits an act of sexual intercourse with a female not his wife who has not attained the age of sixteen years, is guilty of carnal knowledge and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–106, §1113(b), added subsec. (d).

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–484 struck out "with a female not his wife" after "intercourse" and "her" after "without".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §552(c), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3263, provided that: "Section 920 of title 10, United States Code (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), as amended by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to offenses committed on or after the effective date specified in subsection (f) [see note below]."

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–163 effective on Oct. 1, 2007, see section 552(f) of Pub. L. 109–163, set out as a note under section 843 of this title.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Interim Maximum Punishments

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §552(b), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3263, provided that: "Until the President otherwise provides pursuant to section 856 of title 10, United States Code (article 56 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), the punishment which a court-martial may direct for an offense under section 920 of such title (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), as amended by subsection (a), may not exceed the following limits:

"(1) Subsections (a) and (b).—For an offense under subsection (a) (rape) or subsection (b) (rape of a child), death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.

"(2) Subsection (c).—For an offense under subsection (c) (aggravated sexual assault), dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 30 years.

"(3) Subsections (d) and (e).—For an offense under subsection (d) (aggravated sexual assault of a child) or subsection (e) (aggravated sexual contact), dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 20 years.

"(4) Subsections (f) and (g).—For an offense under subsection (f) (aggravated sexual abuse of a child) or subsection (g) (aggravated sexual contact with a child), dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 15 years.

"(5) Subsections (h) through (j).—For an offense under subsection (h) (abusive sexual contact), subsection (i) (abusive sexual contact with a child), or subsection (j) (indecent liberty with a child), dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 7 years.

"(6) Subsections (k) and (l).—For an offense under subsection (k) (indecent act) or subsection (l) (forcible pandering), dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 5 years.

"(7) Subsections (m) and (n).—For an offense under subsection (m) (wrongful sexual contact) or subsection (n) (indecent exposure), dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for one year."

[See 2011 Amendment notes above for extensive amendment of section 920 of title 10 by Pub. L. 112–81, effective 180 days after Dec. 31, 2011, and applicable with respect to offenses committed on or after such effective date.]

§920a. Art. 120a. Mails: deposit of obscene matter

Any person subject to this chapter who, wrongfully and knowingly, deposits obscene matter for mailing and delivery shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5431, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2951.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 920a was renumbered section 930 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§920b. Art. 120b. Rape and sexual assault of a child

(a) Rape of a Child.—Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) commits a sexual act upon a child who has not attained the age of 12 years; or

(2) commits a sexual act upon a child who has attained the age of 12 years by—

(A) using force against any person;

(B) threatening or placing that child in fear;

(D) administering to that child a drug, intoxicant, or other similar substance;

is guilty of rape of a child and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Sexual Assault of a Child.—Any person subject to this chapter who commits a sexual act upon a child who has attained the age of 12 years is guilty of sexual assault of a child and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Sexual Abuse of a Child.—Any person subject to this chapter who commits a lewd act upon a child is guilty of sexual abuse of a child and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(d) Age of Child.—

(1) Under 12 years.—In a prosecution under this section, it need not be proven that the accused knew the age of the other person engaging in the sexual act or lewd act. It is not a defense that the accused reasonably believed that the child had attained the age of 12 years.

(2) Under 16 years.—In a prosecution under this section, it need not be proven that the accused knew that the other person engaging in the sexual act or lewd act had not attained the age of 16 years, but it is a defense in a prosecution under subsection (b) (sexual assault of a child) or subsection (c) (sexual abuse of a child), which the accused must prove by a preponderance of the evidence, that the accused reasonably believed that the child had attained the age of 16 years, if the child had in fact attained at least the age of 12 years.

(f) Marriage.—In a prosecution under subsection (b) (sexual assault of a child) or subsection (c) (sexual abuse of a child), it is a defense, which the accused must prove by a preponderance of the evidence, that the persons engaging in the sexual act or lewd act were at that time married to each other, except where the accused commits a sexual act upon the person when the accused knows or reasonably should know that the other person is asleep, unconscious, or otherwise unaware that the sexual act is occurring or when the other person is incapable of consenting to the sexual act due to impairment by any drug, intoxicant, or other similar substance, and that condition was known or reasonably should have been known by the accused.

(g) Consent.—Lack of consent is not an element and need not be proven in any prosecution under this section. A child not legally married to the person committing the sexual act, lewd act, or use of force cannot consent to any sexual act, lewd act, or use of force.

(h) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Sexual act and sexual contact.—The terms "sexual act" and "sexual contact" have the meanings given those terms in section 920(g) of this title (article 120(g)), except that the term "sexual act" also includes the intentional touching, not through the clothing, of the genitalia of another person who has not attained the age of 16 years with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.

(2) Force.—The term "force" means—

(A) the use of a weapon;

(B) the use of such physical strength or violence as is sufficient to overcome, restrain, or injure a child; or

In the case of a parent-child or similar relationship, the use or abuse of parental or similar authority is sufficient to constitute the use of force.

(3) Threatening or placing that child in fear.—The term "threatening or placing that child in fear" means a communication or action that is of sufficient consequence to cause the child to fear that non-compliance will result in the child or another person being subjected to the action contemplated by the communication or action.

(4) Child.—The term "child" means any person who has not attained the age of 16 years.

(5) Lewd act.—The term "lewd act" means—

(A) any sexual contact with a child;

(B) intentionally exposing one's genitalia, anus, buttocks, or female areola or nipple to a child by any means, including via any communication technology, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, or degrade any person, or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person;

(C) intentionally communicating indecent language to a child by any means, including via any communication technology, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, or degrade any person, or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person; or

(D) any indecent conduct, intentionally done with or in the presence of a child, including via any communication technology, that amounts to a form of immorality relating to sexual impurity which is grossly vulgar, obscene, and repugnant to common propriety, and tends to excite sexual desire or deprave morals with respect to sexual relations.

(Added Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §541(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1407; amended Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(a)(3), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1948; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5430(c), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2950.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 114–328 inserted before period at end ", except that the term 'sexual act' also includes the intentional touching, not through the clothing, of the genitalia of another person who has not attained the age of 16 years with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person".

2013—Pub. L. 112–239 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 112–81, which enacted this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, §1076(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1947, provided that the amendment made by section 1076(a)(3) is effective Dec. 31, 2011, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–81 as enacted.

Effective Date

§920c. Art. 120c. Other sexual misconduct

(a) Indecent Viewing, Visual Recording, or Broadcasting.—Any person subject to this chapter who, without legal justification or lawful authorization—

(1) knowingly and wrongfully views the private area of another person, without that other person's consent and under circumstances in which that other person has a reasonable expectation of privacy;

(2) knowingly photographs, videotapes, films, or records by any means the private area of another person, without that other person's consent and under circumstances in which that other person has a reasonable expectation of privacy; or

(3) knowingly broadcasts or distributes any such recording that the person knew or reasonably should have known was made under the circumstances proscribed in paragraphs (1) and (2);

is guilty of an offense under this section and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Forcible Pandering.—Any person subject to this chapter who compels another person to engage in an act of prostitution with any person is guilty of forcible pandering and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Indecent Exposure.—Any person subject to this chapter who intentionally exposes, in an indecent manner, the genitalia, anus, buttocks, or female areola or nipple is guilty of indecent exposure and shall by punished as a court-martial may direct.

(d) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Act of prostitution.—The term "act of prostitution" means a sexual act or sexual contact (as defined in section 920(g) of this title (article 120(g))) on account of which anything of value is given to, or received by, any person.

(2) Private area.—The term "private area" means the naked or underwear-clad genitalia, anus, buttocks, or female areola or nipple.

(3) Reasonable expectation of privacy.—The term "under circumstances in which that other person has a reasonable expectation of privacy" means—

(A) circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that he or she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image of a private area of the person was being captured; or

(B) circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that a private area of the person would not be visible to the public.

(4) Broadcast.—The term "broadcast" means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons.

(5) Distribute.—The term "distribute" means delivering to the actual or constructive possession of another, including transmission by electronic means.

(6) Indecent manner.—The term "indecent manner" means conduct that amounts to a form of immorality relating to sexual impurity which is grossly vulgar, obscene, and repugnant to common propriety, and tends to excite sexual desire or deprave morals with respect to sexual relations.

(Added Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §541(c), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1409.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§921. Art. 121. Larceny and wrongful appropriation

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds, by any means, from the possession of the owner or of any other person any money, personal property, or article of value of any kind—

(1) with intent permanently to deprive or defraud another person of the use and benefit of property or to appropriate it to his own use or the use of any person other than the owner, steals that property and is guilty of larceny; or

(2) with intent temporarily to deprive or defraud another person of the use and benefit of property or to appropriate it to his own use or the use of any person other than the owner, is guilty of wrongful appropriation.

(b) Any person found guilty of larceny or wrongful appropriation shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 73.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
921(a) 921(b)	50:715(a). 50:715(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 121), 64 Stat. 140.

In subsection (a), the words "whatever" and "true" are omitted as surplusage. The word "it" is substituted for the words "the same" in clauses (1) and (2).

§921a. Art. 121a. Fraudulent use of credit cards, debit cards, and other access devices

(a) In General.—Any person subject to this chapter who, knowingly and with intent to defraud, uses—

(1) a stolen credit card, debit card, or other access device;

(2) a revoked, cancelled, or otherwise invalid credit card, debit card, or other access device; or

(3) a credit card, debit card, or other access device without the authorization of a person whose authorization is required for such use;

to obtain money, property, services, or anything else of value shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Access Device Defined.—In this section (article), the term "access device" has the meaning given that term in section 1029 of title 18.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5432, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2951.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§921b. Art. 121b. False pretenses to obtain services

Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to defraud, knowingly uses false pretenses to obtain services shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5433, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2951.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§922. Art. 122. Robbery

Any person subject to this chapter who takes anything of value from the person or in the presence of another, against his will, by means of force or violence or fear of immediate or future injury to his person or property or to the person or property of a relative or member of his family or of anyone in his company at the time of the robbery, is guilty of robbery and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 73; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5434, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2951.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
922	50:716.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 122), 64 Stat. 140.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who with intent to steal takes anything of value from the person or in the presence of another, against his will, by means of force or violence or fear of immediate or future injury to his person or property or to the person or property of a relative or member of his family or of anyone in his company at the time of the robbery, is guilty of robbery and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§922a. Art. 122a. Receiving stolen property

Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully receives, buys, or conceals stolen property, knowing the property to be stolen property, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5435, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2952.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§923. Art. 123. Offenses concerning Government computers

(a) In General.—Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) knowingly accesses a Government computer, with an unauthorized purpose, and by doing so obtains classified information, with reason to believe such information could be used to the injury of the United States, or to the advantage of any foreign nation, and intentionally communicates, delivers, transmits, or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted such information to any person not entitled to receive it;

(2) intentionally accesses a Government computer, with an unauthorized purpose, and thereby obtains classified or other protected information from any Government computer; or

(3) knowingly causes the transmission of a program, information, code, or command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causes damage without authorization to a Government computer;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "computer" has the meaning given that term in section 1030 of title 18.

(2) The term "Government computer" means a computer owned or operated by or on behalf of the United States Government.

(3) The term "damage" has the meaning given that term in section 1030 of title 18.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5436, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2952.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 923 was renumbered section 905 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§923a. Art. 123a. Making, drawing, or uttering check, draft, or order without sufficient funds

Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) for the procurement of any article or thing of value, with intent to defraud; or

(2) for the payment of any past due obligation, or for any other purpose, with intent to deceive;

makes, draws, utters, or delivers any check, draft, or order for the payment of money upon any bank or other depository, knowing at the time that the maker or drawer has not or will not have sufficient funds in, or credit with, the bank or other depository for the payment of that check, draft, or order in full upon its presentment, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. The making, drawing, uttering, or delivering by a maker or drawer of a check, draft, or order, payment of which is refused by the drawee because of insufficient funds of the maker or drawer in the drawee's possession or control, is prima facie evidence of his intent to defraud or deceive and of his knowledge of insufficient funds in, or credit with, that bank or other depository, unless the maker or drawer pays the holder the amount due within five days after receiving notice, orally or in writing, that the check, draft, or order was not paid on presentment. In this section, the word "credit" means an arrangement or understanding, express or implied, with the bank or other depository for the payment of that check, draft, or order.

(Added Pub. L. 87–385, §1(1), Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 814.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 87–385, §2, Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 814, provided that: "This Act [enacting this section] becomes effective on the first day of the fifth month following the month in which it is enacted [October 1961]."

§924. Art. 124. Frauds against the United States

Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who, knowing it to be false or fraudulent—

(A) makes any claim against the United States or any officer thereof; or

(B) presents to any person in the civil or military service thereof, for approval or payment, any claim against the United States or any officer thereof;

(2) who, for the purpose of obtaining the approval, allowance, or payment of any claim against the United States or any officer thereof—

(A) makes or uses any writing or other paper knowing it to contain any false or fraudulent statements;

(B) makes any oath to any fact or to any writing or other paper knowing the oath to be false; or

(C) forges or counterfeits any signature upon any writing or other paper, or uses any such signature knowing it to be forged or counterfeited;

(3) who, having charge, possession, custody or control of any money, or other property of the United States, furnished or intended for the armed forces thereof, knowingly delivers to any person having authority to receive it, any amount thereof less than that for which he receives a certificate or receipt; or

(4) who, being authorized to make or deliver any paper certifying the receipt of any property of the United States furnished or intended for the armed forces thereof, makes or delivers to any person such writing without having full knowledge of the truth of the statements therein contained and with intent to defraud the United States;

shall, upon conviction, be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 75, §932; renumbered §924, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(14), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
932	50:726.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 132), 64 Stat. 142.

The word "it" is substituted for the words "the same" throughout the revised section.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 924 was renumbered section 928a of this title.

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 932 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§924a. Art. 124a. Bribery

(a) Asking, Accepting, or Receiving Thing of Value.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who occupies an official position or who has official duties; and

(2) who wrongfully asks, accepts, or receives a thing of value with the intent to have the person's decision or action influenced with respect to an official matter in which the United States is interested;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Promising, Offering, or Giving Thing of Value.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully promises, offers, or gives a thing of value to another person, who occupies an official position or who has official duties, with the intent to influence the decision or action of the other person with respect to an official matter in which the United States is interested, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5437, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2952.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§924b. Art. 124b. Graft

(a) Asking, Accepting, or Receiving Thing of Value.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who occupies an official position or who has official duties; and

(2) who wrongfully asks, accepts, or receives a thing of value as compensation for or in recognition of services rendered or to be rendered by the person with respect to an official matter in which the United States is interested;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Promising, Offering, or Giving Thing of Value.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully promises, offers, or gives a thing of value to another person, who occupies an official position or who has official duties, as compensation for or in recognition of services rendered or to be rendered by the other person with respect to an official matter in which the United States is interested, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5438, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2953.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§925. Art. 125. Kidnapping

Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully—

(1) seizes, confines, inveigles, decoys, or carries away another person; and

(2) holds the other person against that person's will;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 74; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XVII, §1707(a), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 961; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, §531(d)(1), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3364; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5439, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2953.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
925(a) 925(b)	50:719(a). 50:719(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 125), 64 Stat. 141.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to the offenses of forcible sodomy and bestiality.

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted "unlawful force" for "force".

2013—Pub. L. 113–66 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(a) Any person subject to this chapter who engages in unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex or with an animal is guilty of sodomy. Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.

"(b) Any person found guilty of sodomy shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§926. Art. 126. Arson; burning property with intent to defraud

(a) Aggravated Arson.—Any person subject to this chapter who, willfully and maliciously, burns or sets on fire an inhabited dwelling, or any other structure, movable or immovable, wherein, to the knowledge of that person, there is at the time a human being, is guilty of aggravated arson and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Simple Arson.—Any person subject to this chapter who, willfully and maliciously, burns or sets fire to the property of another is guilty of simple arson and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(c) Burning Property With Intent to Defraud.—Any person subject to this chapter who, willfully, maliciously, and with intent to defraud, burns or sets fire to any property shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 74; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5440, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2953.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
926(a) 926(b)	50:720(a). 50:720(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 126), 64 Stat. 141.

In subsection (b), the words "of this section" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to the offenses of aggravated arson and simple arson.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§927. Art. 127. Extortion

Any person subject to this chapter who communicates threats to another person with the intention thereby to obtain anything of value or any acquittance, advantage, or immunity is guilty of extortion and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 74.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
927	50:721.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 127), 64 Stat. 141.

The words "of any description" are omitted as surplusage.

§928. Art. 128. Assault

(a) Assault.—Any person subject to this chapter who, unlawfully and with force or violence—

(1) attempts to do bodily harm to another person;

(2) offers to do bodily harm to another person; or

(3) does bodily harm to another person;

is guilty of assault and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Aggravated Assault.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who, with the intent to do bodily harm, offers to do bodily harm with a dangerous weapon;

(2) who, in committing an assault, inflicts substantial bodily harm or grievous bodily harm on another person; or

(3) who commits an assault by strangulation or suffocation;

is guilty of aggravated assault and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(1) In general.—Any person subject to this chapter who commits assault with intent to commit an offense specified in paragraph (2) shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(2) Offenses specified.—The offenses referred to in paragraph (1) are murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, rape of a child, sexual assault of a child, robbery, arson, burglary, and kidnapping.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 75; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5441, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2954; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(c)(1)(P), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1599; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §531(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1759.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
928(a) 928(b)	50:722(a). 50:722(b).	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 128), 64 Stat. 141.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–232 added par. (3).

2017—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–91 struck out comma after "substantial bodily harm".

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to the offenses of assault and aggravated assault.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §531(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1759, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 2019, immediately after the coming into effect of the amendment made by section 5441 of the Military Justice Act of 2016 (division E of Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2954) [which amended this section] as provided in section 5542 of that Act (130 Stat. 2967; 10 U.S.C. 801 note)."

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§928a. Art. 128a. Maiming

Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to injure, disfigure, or disable, inflicts upon the person of another an injury which—

(1) seriously disfigures his person by any mutilation thereof;

(2) destroys or disables any member or organ of his body; or

(3) seriously diminishes his physical vigor by the injury of any member or organ;

is guilty of maiming and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 74, §924; renumbered §928a, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(13)(A), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
924	50:718.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 124), 64 Stat. 141.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 924 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§928b. Art. 128b. Domestic violence

(a) In General.—Any person who—

(1) commits a violent offense against a spouse, an intimate partner, a dating partner, or an immediate family member of that person;

(2) with intent to threaten or intimidate a spouse, an intimate partner, a dating partner, or an immediate family member of that person—

(A) commits an offense under this chapter against any person; or

(B) commits an offense under this chapter against any property, including an animal;

(3) with intent to threaten or intimidate a spouse, an intimate partner, a dating partner, or an immediate family member of that person, violates a protection order;

(4) with intent to commit a violent offense against a spouse, an intimate partner, a dating partner, or an immediate family member of that person, violates a protection order; or

(5) assaults a spouse, an intimate partner, a dating partner, or an immediate family member of that person by strangling or suffocating;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Definitions.—In this section, the terms "dating partner", "immediate family", and "intimate partner" have the meanings given such terms in section 930 of this title (article 130).

(Added Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §532(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1759; amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, §1731(a)(20), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1813; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §531(d)(1), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 259.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2023—Pub. L. 118–31 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, inserted "a dating partner," after "an intimate partner," wherever appearing, and added subsec. (b).

2019—Pub. L. 116–92 inserted section catchline. Identical section catchline had been editorially supplied.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §532(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1760, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall take effect on January 1, 2019, immediately after the coming into effect of the amendments made by the Military Justice Act of 2016 (division E of Public Law 114–328) [see Tables for classification] as provided in section 5542 of that Act (130 Stat. 2967; 10 U.S.C. 801 note)."

§929. Art. 129. Burglary; unlawful entry

(a) Burglary.—Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to commit an offense under this chapter, breaks and enters the building or structure of another shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Unlawful Entry.—Any person subject to this chapter who unlawfully enters—

(1) the real property of another; or

(2) the personal property of another which amounts to a structure usually used for habitation or storage;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 75; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5442, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2954.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
929	50:723.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 129), 64 Stat. 142.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to commit an offense punishable under sections 918–928 of this title (articles 118–128), breaks and enters, in the nighttime, the dwelling house of another, is guilty of burglary and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

[§929a. Art. 129a. Omitted]

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 75, §930; renumbered §929a, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(10), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939, which related to the offense of housebreaking, was omitted in the general amendment of sections 929 and 929a of this title by Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5442, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2954. See section 929(b) of this title.

§930. Art. 130. Stalking

(a) In General.—Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who wrongfully engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear death or bodily harm, including sexual assault, to himself or herself, to a member of his or her immediate family, to his or her intimate partner, or to his or her dating partner;

(2) who has knowledge, or should have knowledge, that the specific person will be placed in reasonable fear of death or bodily harm, including sexual assault, to himself or herself, to a member of his or her immediate family, to his or her intimate partner, or to his or her dating partner; and

(3) whose conduct induces reasonable fear in the specific person of death or bodily harm, including sexual assault, to himself or herself, to a member of his or her immediate family, to his or her intimate partner, or to his or her dating partner;

is guilty of stalking and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "conduct" means conduct of any kind, including use of surveillance, the mails, an interactive computer service, an electronic communication service, or an electronic communication system.

(2) The term "course of conduct" means—

(A) a repeated maintenance of visual or physical proximity to a specific person;

(B) a repeated conveyance of verbal threat, written threats, or threats implied by conduct, or a combination of such threats, directed at or toward a specific person; or

(3) The term "dating partner", in the case of a specific person, means a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with such specific person based on a consideration of—

(A) the length of the relationship;

(B) the type of relationship;

(D) the extent of physical intimacy or sexual contact between the persons involved in the relationship.

(4) The term "repeated", with respect to conduct, means two or more occasions of such conduct.

(5) The term "immediate family", in the case of a specific person, means—

(A) that person's spouse, parent, brother or sister, child, or other person to whom he or she stands in loco parentis; or

(B) any other person living in his or her household and related to him or her by blood or marriage.

(6) The term "intimate partner", in the case of a specific person, means—

(A) a former spouse of the specific person, a person who shares a child in common with the specific person, or a person who cohabits with or has cohabited as a spouse with the specific person; or

(B) a person who has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the specific person, as determined by the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

(Added Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §551(a)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3256, §920a; renumbered §930 and amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §§5401(11), 5443, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2939, 2955; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §531(d)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 259.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 930 was renumbered section 929a of this title and subsequently omitted from the Code.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–31, §531(d)(2)(A), substituted "to his or her intimate partner, or to his or her dating partner" for "or to his or her intimate partner" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 118–31, §531(d)(2)(B), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (4) to (6), respectively.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section set out elements of stalking and defined terms.

Pub. L. 114–328, §5401(11), renumbered section 920a of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, §551(b), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3256, provided that: "Section 920a of title 10, United States Code (article 120a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), as added by subsection (a), applies to offenses committed after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 6, 2006]."

§931. Art. 131. Perjury

Any person subject to this chapter who in a judicial proceeding or in a course of justice willfully and corruptly—

(1) upon a lawful oath or in any form allowed by law to be substituted for an oath, gives any false testimony material to the issue or matter of inquiry; or

(2) in any declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28, subscribes any false statement material to the issue or matter of inquiry;

is guilty of perjury and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 75; Pub. L. 94–550, §3, Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2535; Pub. L. 97–295, §1(13), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1289.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
931	50:725.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 131), 64 Stat. 142.

The words "in a" are inserted before the words "course of justice".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1982—Par. (2). Pub. L. 97–295 struck out "United States Code," after "title 28,".

1976—Pub. L. 94–550 divided existing provisions into an introductory phrase, par. (1), and a closing phrase, and added par. (2).

§931a. Art. 131a. Subornation of perjury

(a) In General.—Any person subject to this chapter who induces and procures another person—

(1) to take an oath; and

(2) to falsely testify, depose, or state upon such oath;

shall, if the conditions specified in subsection (b) are satisfied, be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Conditions.—The conditions referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1) The oath is administered with respect to a matter for which such oath is required or authorized by law.

(2) The oath is administered by a person having authority to do so.

(3) Upon the oath, the other person willfully makes or subscribes a statement.

(4) The statement is material.

(5) The statement is false.

(6) When the statement is made or subscribed, the person subject to this chapter and the other person do not believe that the statement is true.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5444, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2956.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§931b. Art. 131b. Obstructing justice

Any person subject to this chapter who engages in conduct in the case of a certain person against whom the accused had reason to believe there were or would be criminal or disciplinary proceedings pending, with intent to influence, impede, or otherwise obstruct the due administration of justice shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5445, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2956.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§931c. Art. 131c. Misprision of serious offense

Any person subject to this chapter—

(1) who knows that another person has committed a serious offense; and

(2) wrongfully conceals the commission of the offense and fails to make the commission of the offense known to civilian or military authorities as soon as possible;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5446, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2956.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§931d. Art. 131d. Wrongful refusal to testify

Any person subject to this chapter who, in the presence of a court-martial, a board of officers, a military commission, a court of inquiry, a preliminary hearing, or an officer taking a deposition, of or for the United States, wrongfully refuses to qualify as a witness or to answer a question after having been directed to do so by the person presiding shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5447, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2957.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§931e. Art. 131e. Prevention of authorized seizure of property

Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that one or more persons authorized to make searches and seizures are seizing, are about to seize, or are endeavoring to seize property, destroys, removes, or otherwise disposes of the property with intent to prevent the seizure thereof shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5448, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2957.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§931f. Art. 131f. Noncompliance with procedural rules

Any person subject to this chapter who—

(1) is responsible for unnecessary delay in the disposition of any case of a person accused of an offense under this chapter; or

(2) knowingly and intentionally fails to enforce or comply with any provision of this chapter regulating the proceedings before, during, or after trial of an accused;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 69, §898; renumbered §931f, Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5401(3), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2938.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
898	50:692.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 98), 64 Stat. 137.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 898 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

§931g. Art. 131g. Wrongful interference with adverse administrative proceeding

Any person subject to this chapter who, having reason to believe that an adverse administrative proceeding is pending against any person subject to this chapter, wrongfully acts with the intent—

(1) to influence, impede, or obstruct the conduct of the proceeding; or

(2) otherwise to obstruct the due administration of justice;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5449, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2957.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§932. Art. 132. Retaliation

(a) In General.—Any person subject to this chapter who, with the intent to retaliate against any person for reporting or planning to report a criminal offense, or making or planning to make a protected communication, or with the intent to discourage any person from reporting a criminal offense or making or planning to make a protected communication—

(1) wrongfully takes or threatens to take an adverse personnel action against any person; or

(2) wrongfully withholds or threatens to withhold a favorable personnel action with respect to any person;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term "protected communication" means the following:

(A) A lawful communication to a Member of Congress or an Inspector General.

(B) A communication to a covered individual or organization in which a member of the armed forces complains of, or discloses information that the member reasonably believes constitutes evidence of, any of the following:

(i) A violation of law or regulation, including a law or regulation prohibiting sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination.

(ii) Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

(2) The term "Inspector General" has the meaning given that term in section 1034(j) of this title.

(3) The term "covered individual or organization" means any recipient of a communication specified in clauses (i) through (v) of section 1034(b)(1)(B) of this title.

(4) The term "unlawful discrimination" means discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5450, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2957; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(c)(1)(Q), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1599.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 932 was renumbered section 924 of this title.

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "section 1034(j)" for "section 1034(h)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Effective Date

§933. Art. 133. Conduct unbecoming an officer

Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 76; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, §542(a), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1709.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
933	50:727.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 133), 64 Stat. 142.

The word "commissioned" is inserted for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 117–81 struck out "and a gentleman" after "an officer" in section catchline and text.

§934. Art. 134. General article

Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special, or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court. As used in the preceding sentence, the term "crimes and offenses not capital" includes any conduct engaged in outside the United States, as defined in section 5 of title 18, that would constitute a crime or offense not capital if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 7 of title 18.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 76; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LX, §5451, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2958.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
934	50:728.	May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §1 (Art. 134), 64 Stat. 142.

The words "shall be" are inserted before the word "punished".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 inserted at end "As used in the preceding sentence, the term 'crimes and offenses not capital' includes any conduct engaged in outside the United States, as defined in section 5 of title 18, that would constitute a crime or offense not capital if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, as defined in section 7 of title 18."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Inclusion of Sexual Harassment as General Punitive Article

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, §539D, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1699, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the President shall—

"(1) prescribe regulations establishing sexual harassment, as described in this section, as an offense punishable under section 934 of title 10, United States Code (article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); and

"(2) revise the Manual for Courts-Martial to include such offense.

"(b) Elements of Offense.—The regulations and the revisions to the Manual for Courts-Martial required under subsection (a) shall provide that the required elements constituting the offense of sexual harassment are—

"(1) that the accused knowingly made sexual advances, demands or requests for sexual favors, or knowingly engaged in other conduct of a sexual nature;

"(2) that such conduct was unwelcome;

"(3) that, under the circumstances, such conduct—

"(A) would cause a reasonable person to believe, and a certain person did believe, that submission to such conduct would be made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of that person's job, pay, career, benefits, or entitlements;

"(B) would cause a reasonable person to believe, and a certain person did believe, that submission to, or rejection of, such conduct would be used as a basis for decisions affecting that person's job, pay, career, benefits, or entitlements; or

"(C) was so severe, repetitive, or pervasive that a reasonable person would perceive, and a certain person did perceive, an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment; and

"(4) that, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was—

"(A) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces;

"(B) of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces; or

"(C) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces."