Part IV · Punitive Articles

Article 134. Straggling · MCM ¶ 108

2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

Recent revisions Summary of changes
(a) Text of statute. See paragraph 91.
(b) Elements.
(1) That the accused, while accompanying the accused’s organization on a march, maneuvers, or similar exercise, straggled;
(2) That the straggling was wrongful; and
(3) That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was either: (i) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces; (ii) was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces; or (iii) to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
(c) Explanation. “Straggle” means to wander away, to stray, to become separated from, or to lag or linger behind.
(d) Maximum punishment. Confinement for 3 months and forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for 3 months.
(e) Sample specification. In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), did, at __________, on or about _____ 20 __, while accompanying (his) (her) organization on (a march) (maneuvers) (__________), wrongfully straggle, and that such conduct was (to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces) (of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces) (to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces).
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3a-108-1STRAGGLING
NOTE 1. If convicted of only offenses committed on or after 28 December 2023, the judge shall sentence the accused in accordance with the sentencing parameters or criteria, as appropriate, or state reasons for deviating in writing. See RCM 925(c)(2), RCM 1002(a)(2), Appendices 12B (Parameter Table-Confinement Categories), 12C (Offense Category Chart), and 12D (List of Criteria Offenses), 2024 MCM.
Maximum punishment

2/3 x 3 months, 3 months, E-1. (Category 1)

Sample specification

In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, at __________, on or about __________, while accompanying (his) (her) organization on (a march) (maneuvers) (__________), wrongfully straggle, and that such conduct was (to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces) (of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces) (to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces).

Elements

(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused, while accompanying (his) (her) organization on a march, maneuvers, or similar exercise, straggled;

(2) That such straggling was wrongful; and

(3) That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was (to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces) (was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces) (to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces).

Definitions & other instructions

“Straggle” means to wander away, to stray, to become separated from, or to lag or linger behind.

“Wrongful” means without legal justification or excuse.

(“Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline” is conduct which causes a reasonably direct and obvious injury to good order and discipline.)

(“Service discrediting conduct” is conduct which tends to harm the reputation of the service or lower it in public esteem.)

NOTE 2. Conduct pled as both prejudicial to good order and discipline and service discrediting. When the conduct is pled as both prejudicial to good order and discipline and service discrediting, the following instruction should be given:

The government has alleged that the conduct in question in (The) Specification (___) of (The) (Additional) Charge (___) was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces. To convict the accused of the offense charged, you must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of all the elements, including that the accused’s conduct was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces. If you are convinced of all the elements except the element of the service discrediting nature of the conduct, you may still convict the accused of the offense charged. In this event, you must make appropriate findings by excepting the language “of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.” On the other hand, if you are convinced of all the elements except the element of prejudice to good order and discipline in the armed forces, you may still convict the accused of the offense charged. In this event, you must make appropriate findings by excepting the language “to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces.” Of course, if you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the conduct in question was both to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces and of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, then you may convict the accused as charged provided you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt as to the other elements of (The) Specification (___) of (The) (Additional) Charge (___).

Source: Instruction 3a-108-1 · view original on jagcnet.army.mil