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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sacrosanct" data-source="post: 9176297" data-attributes="member: 15700">I suppose here's the one main takeaway that I'd like folks who didn't serve would understand. The military always reinforces the power of the chain of command, and following orders. If you looked at the link I provided earlier, one of the key points was to "be a good soldier, do what you're told."  Article 15s are a tool to enforce that behavior above anything else. I've seen people not be punished at all for what would be criminal activity (like bar fights or DUIs) because they were a good soldier. I've also seen people get Article 15s because they were disruptive or their leaders didn't like them. For things that every other soldier does and doesn't get an article 15 for.  You physically touch a senior officer without their consent and they don't like you? Guess what. Article 15 for "assault".Article 15s are a punishment tool to enforce following orders. It's not a military comparison to criminal proceedings or activity in civilian life. IANAL of course, but I can't image ignorance of how the UCMJ works gives a civilian freedom to slander or libel others based on that ignorance. I mean, we even have a phrase for it in law: "ignorantia juris non excusat." It's not a perfect analogy, but pretty close I'd think.</blockquote>