United States Marine Corps Article 91: insubordination and disrespect

Usmj 91 Compliance

Summary of United States Marine Corps Article

United States Marine Corps Article 91 covers the issue of insubordination of superior officers. More specifically, it reads as follows:

"Any warrant officer or enlisted member who

(1) strikes or assaults a warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, or petty officer, while that officer is in the execution of his office;

(2) willfully disobeys the lawful order of a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer; or (3) treats with contempt or is disrespectful in language or deportment toward a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer while that officer is in the execution of his office; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct"

(USMC, 2013).

Purpose of Article

The obvious purpose of Article 91 is to ensure that enlisted personnel exhibit appropriate respect for their superior officers; that they always follow their orders; and that they never physically assault or hit a superior officer under any circumstances. According to the Article, there are several qualifiers intended to prevent unintentional violations of its provisions. For example, it requires that the offending individual know that the victim is a warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, or petty officer; and it requires the superior officer is acting in his superior capacity ("in the execution of office") at the time . With respect to violations pertaining to willfully disobedience; it also requires that the order issued is a lawful order (USMC, 2013).

Penalties of Violating Article 91

Under Article 91, the penalty for striking a superior officer varies from dishonorable discharge, loss of all pay, and confinement for five years to the same penalty but confinement for only one year, depending on the rank of the victim (USMC, 2013). Under Article 91, the penalty for willfully disobeying a superior officer varies from dishonorable discharge, loss of all pay, and confinement for five years to a bad-conduct discharge, loss of all pay, and confinement for one year, depending on the rank of the victim. Under Article 91, the penalty for disrespect to a superior officer varies from bad-conduct discharge, loss of all pay and confinement for nine months to loss of two-thirds pay per month for three months, and confinement for three months, depending on the rank of the victim (USMC, 2013).

Reference

USMC. (2013). 891. Article 91. Insubordinate Conduct toward Warrant Officer,

Noncommissioned Officer, or Petty Officer. Accesses online:

http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-punitive-articles/891-article-91-

insubordinate-conduct-toward-warrant-officer-noncommissioned-officer-or-petty-officer