Article 91 UCMJ: Insubordinate Conduct and Its Consequences in the Military

Discipline and respect for authority are essential pillars of military service. The U.S. military enforces these standards through the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) , a set of laws that govern service members' conduct. Among these laws, Article 91 UCMJ plays a critical role in addressing insubordination, particularly when it involves disrespect or disobedience toward warrant officers, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), and petty officers. In this blog, we’ll break down the key aspects of Article 91, explore real-world applications, and explain what happens when a service member is accused of violating this article. What Is Article 91 UCMJ? Article 91 UCMJ criminalizes insubordinate conduct toward a superior enlisted leader. This includes: Assaulting Disobeying Disrespecting a warrant officer, NCO, or petty officer. For this article to apply, the superior must be performing their official duties, and the accused must be subject to the UCMJ (e.g., an enlisted...