UCMJ Articles

UCMJ Article 134: Straggling

Under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was either (i) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, (ii) was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, or (iii) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

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UCMJ Article 134: Self Injury, Without Intent to Avoid Service

This offense differs from malingering in that the accused need not have harbored a design to avoid the performance of any work, duty, or service that may properly or normally be expected of one in the military service. This offense is characterized by intentional self-injury under such circumstances as prejudice to good order and discipline or discrediting the armed forces.

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UCMJ Article 134: Pandering and Prostitution

While most of this article is self-explanatory, this offense does not preempt any other lawful regulations or orders prescribed by a proper authority that proscribe other forms of sexual conduct for compensation by military personnel.

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UCMJ Article 134: Indecent Language

Indecent language is that which is grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety or shocks the moral sense because of its vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature or its tendency to incite lustful thought. Language is indecent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or provoke libidinous thoughts. The language must violate community standards.

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UCMJ Article 134: Indecent Conduct

Indecent means that form of immorality relating to sexual impurity, which is grossly vulgar, obscene, and repugnant to common decency and tends to excite sexual desire or deprave morals concerning sexual relations.

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UCMJ Article 134: Gambling with Subordinate

This offense can only be committed by a noncommissioned or petty officer gambling with an enlisted person of a rank less than that of a noncommissioned or petty officer. Gambling by an officer with an enlisted person may be a violation of Article 133

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UCMJ Article 134: Fraternization

Fraternization in the military is addressed under Article 134 of the UCMJ, also known as the “General Article,” which is a list of prohibited conduct that is of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces or is prejudicial to good order and discipline…

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UCMJ Article 134: Firearm, Discharging Through Negligence

Under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was either (i) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, (ii) was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, or (iii) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

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UCMJ Article 134: Disorderly Conduct, Drunkenness

While drunkenness is self-explanatory, disorderly conduct is conduct of such a nature to affect the peace of persons who may witness it and be disturbed or provoked to resentment. It includes conduct that endangers public morals or outrages public decency and any contentious or turbulent character disturbance.

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UCMJ Article 134: Disloyal Statements

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.

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UCMJ Article 134: Debt, Dishonorably Failing to Pay

To be prosecuted for an Article 134 violation for debt, dishonorably failing to pay, more than negligence in nonpayment is necessary. The failure to pay must be characterized by deceit, evasion, false promises, or other distinctly culpable circumstances indicating a deliberate nonpayment or grossly indifferent attitude toward one’s just obligations.

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