Introduction to the Manual for Courts-Martial, Rights of the Accused, and State Codes

1. Sustaining the Combat Capability of America’s Air Force Introduction to the Manual for Courts-Martial, Rights of the Accused, and State Codes

2. Overview • Purpose of Military Law • The Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) • Rights of an Accused • Rights Advisement • Training Requirements • Parts of a Punitive Article • Commonly used Punitive Articles

3. MP1. Purpose of Military Law Preamble of the MCM: “The purpose of military law is to promote justice, to assist in maintaining good order and discipline in the armed forces, to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the military establishment, and thereby strengthen the national security of the United States”

4. MP2. Manual for Courts-Martial Overview • Part 1: Preamble • Part 2: Rules for Courts-Martial (RCM) • Part 3: Military Rules of Evidence (MRE) • Part 4: The Punitive Articles • Part 5: Nonjudical Punishment (NJP) Procedures

5. MP3. Rights of an Accused • Article 31 • Presumption of innocence • Burden of proof • Reasonable Doubt • Self-Incrimination • Rights Advisement

6. MP3. Rights of an Accused • Article 32 • Pretrial Investigation • General Courts-Martial • Article 38, Right to an attorney • Article 27, Equal Qualifications • Article 137, UCMJ training requirements • Initial entry • After completion of 6 months of active duty • Upon reenlistment

7. MP4. Parts of the Punitive Article • Articles 77 – 134 • Part 1: Text • Part 2: Elements • Part 3: Explanation • Part 4: Lesser Included Offenses • Part 5: Maximum Permissible Punishments • Part 6: Sample Specifications

8. MP4. Common Punitive Article • Article 85, Desertion • Article 86, Absence without leave • Article 91, Insubordinate Conduct toward warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer • Article 92, Failure to obey order or regulation • Article 107, False Official Statement • Article 108, Military property of the United States –sale, loss, damage, destruction or wrongful disposition • Article 111, Drunken or reckless operation of vehicle, aircraft, or vessel • Article 112, Drunk on Duty • Article 112a, Wrongful use, possession, etc. of controlled substances • Article 117, Provoking Speeches and gestures • Article 123a, Making, drawing, or uttering check without sufficient funds • Article 128, Assault • Article 134, General Article

9. MP4. Common Punitive Article • State Codes • Most states have a State Code of Military Justice • Found within the state statutes • Varies from state to state • Examples of State Codes of Military Justice

10. Summary • Purpose of Military Law • The Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) • Rights of an Accused • Rights Advisement • Training Requirements • Parts of a Punitive Article • Commonly used Punitive Articles

11. Sustaining the Combat Capability of America’s Air Force I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e