Photo By Sgt. Pedro Cardenas | Sgt. Michael R. Harrison, academic instructor, Instructional Training Company, teaches...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO - Marines are known as some of the most disciplined members of the U.S. military. Some of the reasons for a Marine’s discipline include their prideful traditions, customs and courtesies and because they uphold the strict rules and regulations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Recruits of Company D, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, learned about the regulations of the UCMJ during classroom instruction aboard the depot, Jan. 17.
The UCMJ, which was passed by Congress May 5, 1950, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, is the foundation of military law in the United States. Military law has the intent to make military justice consistent among all service members in any part of the world.
“The UCMJ’s purpose is to promote good order, discipline and justice,” said Sgt. Michael R. Harrison, academic instructor, Instructional Training Company. “It allows us [Marines] to police ourselves.”
Recruits receive classroom instruction on various topics including Marine Corps history, customs and courtesies, marksmanship fundamentals and the UCMJ. It is important for recruits to learn about these various topics in order to build a foundation of knowledge.
“We teach them early to establish a base and have recruits familiarize themselves with it so they know what is expected of them,” said Sgt. Kenyatta N. Ealey, drill instructor, Platoon 1071. “That way they know what to enforce and how to enforce it.”
With 146 articles for service members to abide by, the UCMJ provides a standard of behavior for its service members through the regulations they have sworn to uphold. Members who are found to have violated the UCMJ through a court-martial, a criminal court, are then punished to the corresponding punishment under the Manuals for Court Martial. Some punishments include confinement, dishonorable discharge for enlisted members and dismissal for officers.
“Recruits need to know they have to abide by it, even when nobody is around. They have to do the right thing at all times,” said Ealey, a native of Oceanside, Calif. “We have to hold each other accountable. I have to correct my peers and subordinates to establish good order and discipline.”
Recruits also learn about specific articles they must know such as Article 15. Under Article 15, commanders have the authority to use a non-judicial punishment, otherwise known as an NJP, for a minor infraction. Punishments include reduction in rank, loss of pay, restriction of privileges and extra-duty.
“You are responsible for your own actions and throughout your Marine Corps career you have to maintain a high level of integrity,” said Harrison, a Denver native. “If somebody does break the rules then they will be punished accordingly; the harsher the crime the harsher the punishment will be.”
Service members are subject to the UCMJ as well as civilian laws. For example, if a member of the military is found guilty of drunk driving by city police, he or she would receive their civilian punishment and also be held responsible and punished within the military establishment. This serves as an incentive for military members to be disciplined and uphold the law.
“A lot of our standards are old,” said Harrison. “But, standards tell us how to conduct ourselves as Marines.”
Recruits of Co. D learned about one of the many reasons why Marines are considered the most disciplined individuals within the armed forces. However, they have to learn and apply many more topics to earn the right to call themselves Marines.
| Date Taken: | 01.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2014 12:34 |
| Story ID: | 120198 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | DENVER, COLORADO, US |
| Hometown: | OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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