Part IV · Punitive Articles
Article 103. Spies · MCM ¶ 31
2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
See all changes(a) Text of statute. Any person who in time of war is found lurking as a spy or acting as a spy in or about any place, vessel, or aircraft, within the control or jurisdiction of any of the armed forces, or in or about any shipyard, any manufacturing or industrial plant, or any other place or institution engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the United States, or elsewhere, shall be tried by a general court-martial or by a military commission and on conviction shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial or a military commission may direct. This section does not apply to a military commission established under chapter 47A of this title.
(b) Elements.
(1) That the accused was found in, about, or in and about a certain place, vessel, or aircraft within the control or jurisdiction of an armed force of the United States, or a shipyard, manufacturing or industrial plant, or other place or institution engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the United States, or elsewhere;
(2) That the accused was lurking, acting clandestinely or under false pretenses;
(3) That the accused was collecting or attempting to collect certain information;
(4) That the accused did so with the intent to convey this information to the enemy; and
(5) That this was done in time of war.
(c) Explanation.
(1) In time of war. See R.C.M. 103(21).
(2) Enemy. For a discussion of “enemy,” see subparagraph 27.c.(1)(b).
(3) Scope of offense. The words “any person” bring within the jurisdiction of general courts-martial and military commissions all persons of whatever nationality or status who commit spying.
(4) Nature of offense. A person can be a spy only when, acting clandestinely or under false pretenses, that person obtains or seeks to obtain information with the intent to convey it to a hostile party. It is not essential that the accused obtain the information sought or that it be communicated. The offense is complete with lurking or acting clandestinely or under false pretenses with intent to accomplish these objects.
(5) Intent. It is necessary to prove an intent to convey information to the enemy. This intent may be inferred from evidence of a deceptive insinuation of the accused among our forces, but evidence that the person had come within the lines for a comparatively innocent purpose, as to visit family or to reach friendly lines by assuming a disguise, is admissible to rebut this inference.
(6) Persons not included under “spying. ”
(a) Members of a military organization not wearing a disguise, dispatch drivers, whether members of a military organization or civilians, and persons in ships or aircraft who carry out their missions openly and who have penetrated enemy lines are not spies because, while they may have resorted to concealment, they have not acted under false pretenses.
(b) A spy who, after rejoining the armed forces to which the spy belongs, is later captured by the enemy incurs no responsibility for previous acts of spying.
(c) A person living in occupied territory who, without lurking, or acting clandestinely or under false pretenses, merely reports what is seen or heard through agents to the enemy may be charged under Article 103a with giving intelligence to or communicating with the enemy, but may not be charged under this article as being a spy.
(d) Maximum punishment. Death or such other punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct.
(e) Sample specification. In that _____ (personal jurisdiction data), was, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, a time of war, found (lurking) (acting) as a spy (in) (about) (in and about) __________, (a (fortification) (port) (base) (vessel) (aircraft) (__________) within the (control) (jurisdiction) (control and jurisdiction) of an armed force of the United States, to wit: __________) (a (shipyard) (manufacturing plant) (industrial plant) (__________) engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the United States) (__________), for the purpose of (collecting) (attempting to collect) information in regard to the [(numbers) (resources) (operations) (__) of the armed forces of the United States] [(military production) (_____) of the United States] [_____], with intent to impart the same to the enemy.
Information on this tab is reproduced from the U.S. Army Military Judges’ Benchbook (Electronic Benchbook v2.70, updated 2026-05-26). It is for informational purposes only to compare to the text on the Manual for Courts-Martial on the MCM tab. Always check the current EBB to make sure you’re reviewing the most recent information.
3a-31-1 · SPYING
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
Death or other lawful punishment. (Category 5)
Sample specification
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), was, (at/on board—location), on or about __________, a time of war, found (lurking) (acting) as a spy (in) (about) (in and about) __________, (a (fortification) (port) (base) (vessel) (aircraft) (__________) within the (control) (jurisdiction) (control and jurisdiction) of an armed force of the United States, to wit: __________) (a (shipyard) (manufacturing plant) (industrial plant) (__________) engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the United States) (__________), for the purpose of (collecting) (attempting to collect) information in regard to the [(numbers) (resources) (operations) (__________) of the armed forces of the United States] [(military production) (__________) of the United States] [__________], with intent to impart the same to the enemy.
Elements
(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused was found (in) (about) (in and about) (__________):
(a) ((a) (an)) (fortification) (post) (base) (vessel) (aircraft) (__________) within the (control) (and) (jurisdiction) of an armed force of the United States, namely, __________; or
(b) ((a) (an)) (shipyard) (manufacturing plant) (industrial plant) (__________) engaged in work in aid of the prosecution of the war by the United States; or
(c) (__________);
(2) That the accused was lurking, acting clandestinely or under false pretenses;
(3) That the accused was collecting or attempting to collect information;
(4) That the accused did so with the intent to provide this information to the enemy; and
(5) That this was done in time of war.
Definitions & other instructions
“Clandestinely” means in disguise, secretly, covertly, or under concealment.
“Enemy” includes organized opposing forces in time of war, any hostile body that our forces may be opposing, such as a rebellious mob or a band of renegades, and includes civilians as well as members of military organizations. “Enemy” is not restricted to the enemy government or its armed forces. All the citizens of one belligerent are enemies of the government and the citizens of the other.
It is not essential that the accused obtain the information sought or that (he) (she) actually communicate it. However, the offense requires some form of clandestine action, lurking about, or deception with the intent to provide the information to the enemy.
NOTE 2. Time of war in issue. When it is clear as a matter of law that the offense was committed “in time of war,” this should be resolved as an interlocutory question and the members should be so advised. See RCM 103(21). However, if there is a factual dispute involved, it should be resolved by the members in connection with their determination of guilt or innocence.
NOTE 3. Other instructions. Instruction 7-3, Circumstantial Evidence (Intent), is ordinarily applicable.
Source: Instruction 3a-31-1 · view original on jagcnet.army.mil