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Punitive Articles of the UCMJ

Article 134—Disloyal statements

By Rod Powers, About.com

Text.

See Paragraph 60.

Elements.

(1) That the accused made a certain statement;

(2) That the statement was communicated to another person;

(3) That the statement was disloyal to the United States;

(4) That the statement was made with the intent to promote disloyalty or disaffection toward the United States by any member of the armed forces or to interfere with or impair the loyalty to the United States or good order and discipline of any member of the armed forces; and

(5) That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

Explanation.

Certain disloyal statements by military personnel may not constitute an offense under 18 U.S.C. §§ 2385, 2387, and 2388, but may, under the circumstances, be punishable under this article. Examples include praising the enemy, attacking the war aims of the United States, or denouncing our form of government with the intent to promote disloyalty or disaffection among members of the armed services. A declaration of personal belief can amount to a disloyal statement if it disavows allegiance owed to the United States by the declarant. The disloyalty involved for this offense must be to the United States as a political entity and not merely to a department or other agency that is a part of its administration.

Lesser included offense.

Article 80—attempts

Maximum punishment.

Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 3 years.

Next Article> Article 134-(Disorderly conduct, drunkenness) >

Above Information from Manual for Court Martial, 2002, Chapter 4, Paragraph 72

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