UCMJ Article 91: What Every Service Member Should Know About Insubordination

In the military, maintaining discipline and respect for authority is essential for success. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provides a legal structure for addressing misconduct, and one of the most serious violations under this code is insubordination. UCMJ Article 91 specifically addresses insubordination, defining acts of disobeying lawful orders and showing disrespect toward superior officers and noncommissioned officers (NCOs). Understanding what constitutes a violation of Article 91 is critical for all service members to avoid legal consequences. What is UCMJ Article 91? UCMJ Article 91 outlines the legal framework for addressing insubordination, which is defined as the refusal to follow lawful orders or disrespect toward a superior. The article applies to all service members, specifying penalties for refusing or failing to obey an order issued by a commissioned officer, NCO, or petty officer. Additionally, the article addresses the consequences of showing disrespect t...