Uniform Code of Military Justice

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This page is outdated and should no longer be considered canon information.


For the universal set of laws that apply to everyone in space, see Space Maritime Law.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a set of standards and behavior intended for enforcement and usage in all uniformed services of the United Nations military, including the Sol Defense Corps.

This page will highlight military-level offenses that can be enforced and punished. Offenses are split into two categories: Non-Judicial Punishments (NJP's) and Judicial Punishments (JP's). NJP's can be willingly issued by a commissioned officer or SNCO (E-7+) to a junior enlisted (E-2+) grade, or from a Flag Officer (O-7+) to a commissioned officer (O-1) grade. JP's can only be issued by court-martial.

Applicability[edit | edit source]

The UCMJ applies to the following groups:

  • Members serving in the United Nations Military, including but not limited to:
  • Personnel part of a United Nations uniformed service but not part of the military.

Conduct[edit | edit source]

All personnel of the UN military must obey the following principles:

  • Serve and support the interests of the United Nations.
  • Defend the UN from enemies, both foreign and domestic.
  • Uphold the honor of your service branch.

Non-Judicial Punishments[edit | edit source]

Non-judicial punishments (NJPs) can be prescribed to an enlisted crewmember by a ranking SNCO (E-7 or above) or a commissioned Line Officer (O-1 or above) with command authorization.

Non-judicial punishments range from PT exercises to deduction of certain privileges or rank.

SNCOs and line officers can prescribe the following NJPs to enlisted personnel:

  • Docking of pay for a certain period of time.
  • Extra duty; such as janitorial work.
  • PT (physical training), such as push-ups.

Line officers can prescribe the following additional NJPs to enlisted personnel:

  • Reduction in rank: This can only be done by a departmental Officer to members of their department. Only 1 rank can be removed.
  • Relief of duty: This can, too, only be done by a departmental Officer to members of their department.

Only the Captain (or First Officer if a captain isn't available) can prescribe relief of duty or reduction in rank to line officers or SNCOs (E-7 or above).

Judicial Punishments[edit | edit source]

Judicial punishments (JPs) are punishments issued only via a court-martial and use military-based punishments in conjunction with detention. JPs include demotion of rank, relief of position and, at an Admiral's order only, discharge from the Sol Defense Corps (in OOC terms, a kick/ban).

JPs are invalid when handed out in any way other than a valid court-martial, stated below.

Court-Martials[edit | edit source]

A court-martial is defined as a military trial that a member of the SDC can be tried under for violations of Space Maritime Law and the UCMJ. Field court-martials (conducted away from Earth or a UN colony) can be authorized only by a Commander (O-5), Captain (O-6), or Flag Officer (O-7+). A court-martial is the only way that a convicted military service member can be legally executed unless in dire circumstances.

More information on court-martial procedures can be found in Standard Operating Procedure.

Offenses[edit | edit source]

Offenses listed under the UCMJ are different than those in Space Maritime Law. Only members of the SDC can be charged with violations of the UCMJ, and NJP offenses cannot be punished by detention time in the brig. Judicial offenses can only be tried and convicted via court-martial and offenders will be stripped of position and/or rank. Only capital offenses are listed under the JP section.

Please note that several laws are omitted due to also being present in Space Maritime Law.

NJP Offenses[edit | edit source]

Offense Description Notes
Absent without Leave (AWoL) Deserting one's post without authorization (with the intent to return). Note that not intending to return to duty is considered Dereliction of Duty.
Failure to Obey an Order The inability to follow through with a direct order given to you by a superior officer. This includes general conduct and includes obeying an unlawful order. This does not require willful intent and does include refusal to receive medical treatment.
Insubordination Knowingly and willingly violating or standing up against a direct and lawful order given by a superior. This includes outright refusal to obey a lawful order or generally being disrespectful or ignorant to a superior's orders.
Negligence To misuse dangerous equipment or practice dangerous procedures that can put the crew in danger. Note that this can be enacted even if no harm was done. If harm was done, they can be prosecuted under Maritime Law.
Misconduct General misbehavior or unprofessional acting. This is different from a similar article (M05 Hooliganism) found in Maritime Law -- this law generally applies to unprofessionalism or when they're doing something that a superior believes is wrong or unprofessional.

JP Offenses[edit | edit source]

All offenses listed are capital, and, if convicted, all can be subject to legal execution.

Offense Description Notes
Mutiny To openly oppose, seek to radically change, or overthrow a lawful authority.

To promote insurrection against the lawful order through speech, organization, or overt actions.

Members of the SDC charged with mutiny can specifically have military punishment added to the general punishment prescribed in SML.
Desertion Refusing to carry out the duties essential to one’s post or abandoning post unauthorized, without intent to return. This differs from going AWOL, as the deserter has no intent on returning to military duty or post.
Sedition To engage in actions or refuse to follow orders as to overthrow or usurp the legitimate command structure. This differs from mutiny as it is not the direct attempt to overthrow, but rather gross insubordination with the intent of establishing a new chain of command over the existing one.