18 U.S.C. § 2387 is a federal statute that prohibits attempts to undermine the loyalty, morale, or discipline of United States armed forces.
November 24, 2025
high
temporal
Federal criminal prohibition addressing efforts to erode military cohesion and discipline.
Under military law, including principles embodied in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, orders given to servicemembers are generally presumed to be lawful and are required to be obeyed unless they are unlawful.
November 24, 2025
high
temporal
General legal principle governing obedience to military orders.
Criminal penalties for conduct that encourages disloyalty or insubordination in the armed forces can include forfeiture of pay, confinement, or dismissal from service, and recalls of retirees to active duty for disciplinary action are rare and typically reserved for allegations of serious criminal conduct such as espionage, sexual assault, or fraud.
November 24, 2025
high
temporal
Typical forms of punishment and the scarcity of recalling retirees for discipline in military practice.
United States appellate courts held in United States v. Dinger (2018) and United States v. Larrabee (2020) that military retirees who continue to receive retirement pay remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and may be tried for offenses committed after retirement.
January 01, 2020
high
temporal
Legal precedent on the jurisdiction of the UCMJ over retired service members receiving pay.