What is Article 91 of the UCMJ?

Asked by: Prof. Wyatt Veum  |  Last update: June 13, 2026
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Article 91 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) addresses insubordinate conduct toward warrant officers, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), or petty officers, criminalizing striking, assaulting, willfully disobeying, or treating with contempt or disrespect these leaders while they are performing their duties, protecting military discipline and leadership structure. Violations include physical acts like striking, refusal to follow a lawful order, or using disrespectful language/behavior towards these leaders.

What is article 91 in the UCMJ?

UCMJ Article 91 is the charge that covers the insubordinate conduct of an enlisted member or a warrant officer toward another warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer.

Why is article 91 important?

Article 91 of the UCMJ exists to provide good order and discipline with regards to behavior shown towards warrant, noncommissioned, and petty officers of the United States Armed Services.

What are some examples of article 91 in action?

What is Insubordinate Conduct Toward Warrant Officer, Noncommissioned Officer, or Petty Officer under Article 91, UCMJ?

  • Striking or Assaulting.
  • Willfully Disobeying a Lawful Order; or.
  • Disrespecting.

What are the penalties for violating Article 91?

Maximum Possible Punishment for Violations of Article 91

Suppose the accused is found guilty of striking or assaulting a superior noncommissioned or petty officer. In that case, they face a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for three years.

What is Article 91 of the UCMJ

41 related questions found

What's it called when a soldier doesn't follow orders?

Insubordination is when a service member willfully disobeys the lawful orders of a superior officer. If a military officer disobeys the lawful orders of their civilian superiors, this also counts.

What qualifies as conduct unbecoming?

A: The legal definition of conduct that is unbecoming generally refers to behavior that is inappropriate or inconsistent with the professional and ethical standards expected of an individual in a specific role, particularly those in authority.

What is insubordination in the military?

At its core, military insubordination involves a failure to comply with a lawful command issued by a higher-ranking individual. That individual may be a superior officer, a warrant officer, a noncommissioned officer (NCO), or a petty officer, depending on the situation and the article charged.

How many articles are under UCMJ?

The UCMJ is made up of 146 articles that cover a wide range of offenses and punishments. Some of the more common offenses covered by the UCMJ include adultery, assault, disobeying orders, and desertion. A number of articles also deal with specific offenses such as espionage and treason.

What is the UCMJ on disrespect?

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

How does the UCMJ define insubordination?

Insubordination: Legal Definition

Assaults, hits, or punches an officer, noncommissioned officer (NCO), or petty officer while they are performing his official duties; Intentionally disobeys a legal order from an officer; or. Disrespects an officer verbally or physically while they are performing their official duties.

Is insubordination a crime?

Insubordination is a serious crime that can result in a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay, and confinement, among other punishments.

What is code 89 in the military?

UCMJ Article 89 provides protection for commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers, and warrant officers to issue commands necessary for the execution of their duty. Article 89 includes both verbal and physical disrespect. Any of these could also be considered a level of assault.

Is lying to an NCO a crime?

Article 107 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) prohibits any person subject to the code from knowingly making a false official statement. This offense is critical to maintaining trust and integrity within the military justice system.

What are some examples of conduct unbecoming?

Other examples of conduct unbecoming in the workplace could include things like:

  • Speaking disrespectfully to a supervisor or customer,
  • Playing a practical joke on a colleague,
  • Using profanity in the workplace,
  • Lying to a manager,
  • Placing a hand over a coworker's mouth to interrupt them, and.

What are the three types of UCMJ?

The three types of courts-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) (UCMJ) are Summary, Special, and General courts-martial, each differing in severity, procedures, and potential punishments, ranging from minor infractions handled by a single officer (Summary) to severe felonies tried by a military judge and panel (General).
 

What is the UCMJ for dummies?

The UCMJ provided a uniform set of laws applicable to all branches of the U.S. armed forces, ensuring consistent and fair treatment of military personnel. It replaced the Articles of War, the Articles for the Government of the Navy, and other service-specific regulations with a comprehensive legal framework.

How long does an article 15 stay on my record?

A finding of guilty at an Article 15 hearing will be filed in your military records; however, the Article 15 will be removed from your record after two years.

What are common UCMJ offenses?

Examples of offenses covered in the UCMJ include: Assault and battery: Any form of physical violence or offensive contact against another person is a punishable offense under the UCMJ. Disrespect toward a superior officer: This includes any verbal or physical disrespect toward a superior and any disobedience.

What is a violation of Article 91?

(an accused servicemember can be convicted under Article 91(3) even if his or her disrespectful conduct occurs outside the physical presence of the victim; that means that disrespectful language or behavior towards a warrant, noncommissioned, or petty officer can be criminally actionable even when it is remotely ...

What is the rule 13 in the army?

13. Authorities empowered to authorize discharge. (1) Each of the authorities specified in column 3 of the Table below shall be the competent authority to discharge service person subject to the Act specified in column 1 thereof on the grounds specified in column 2.

Is arguing considered insubordination?

Insubordination often accompanies or follows disrespectful or confrontational behavior towards someone in a leadership position, such as arguing with them (as opposed to respectfully and productively communicating disagreement).

What are 5 examples of serious misconduct?

Here are 7 examples classed as workplace misconduct

  • Theft. This may sound obvious, but theft isn't limited to financial fraud like embezzlement or money laundering. ...
  • Sexual harassment. ...
  • Abuse of power. ...
  • Falsifying documentation. ...
  • Health and safety breaches. ...
  • Damage to goods or property. ...
  • Drug and/or alcohol use.

What is Article 133 about?

United States v. Brown, 55 MJ 375 (Article 133, prohibiting conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, is constitutional as applied to members of the armed forces, so long as the accused has received fair warning of the criminality of his or her conduct).

What is the most common complaint against police officers?

The most common complaints against police consistently center on excessive use of force/police brutality, followed closely by false arrests, unlawful detention, racial profiling/discrimination, and unprofessional conduct/rudeness. These issues often stem from perceived violations of constitutional rights (Fourth & Fifth Amendments) and are frequently cited in citizen complaints, lawsuits, and Department of Justice investigations, impacting public trust significantly.