The purpose of the UCMJ is to ensure that order is faithfully maintained among the ranks of the United States military, to establish rules which govern the conduct of military service members in wartime and peacetime, and to initiate punishment if a soldier acts in a manner that goes against those rules.

The military requires service members to perform duties that a civilian would rarely—if ever—be requested to carry out. Military service members have unique responsibilities; failing in those responsibilities may have severe consequences. It’s for this reason that the military has a separate justice code—to ensure that service members conduct themselves in a way that would not bring dishonor or harm to the military or the country.

Many of the UCMJ article offenses do not have civilian counterparts. They are specific to the circumstances of military life and military duties. Also, they are in place to maintain order among the ranks and mete out punishment for breaking those rules.