Part IV · Punitive Articles

Article 123. Offenses concerning Government computers · MCM ¶ 69

2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

See all changes

(a) Text of statute.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Any person subject to this chapter who—
(1) knowingly accesses a Government computer, with an unauthorized purpose, and by doing so obtains classified information, with reason to believe such information could be used to the injury of the United States, or to the advantage of any foreign nation, and intentionally communicates, delivers, transmits, or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted such information to any person not entitled to receive it;
(2) intentionally accesses a Government computer, with an unauthorized purpose, and thereby obtains classified or other protected information from any such Government computer; or
(3) knowingly causes the transmission of a program, information, code, or command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causes damage without authorization to a Government computer; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) The term “computer” has the meaning given that term in section 1030 of title 18.
(2) The term “Government computer” means a computer owned or operated by or on behalf of the United States Government.
(3) The term “damage” has the meaning given that term in section 1030 of title 18.
(b) Elements.
(1) Unauthorized distribution of classified information obtained from a Government computer.
(a) That the accused knowingly accessed a Government computer with an unauthorized purpose;
(b) That the accused obtained classified information;
(c) That the accused had reason to believe the information could be used to injure the United States or benefit a foreign nation; and
(d) That the accused intentionally communicated, delivered, transmitted, or caused to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted, such information to any person not entitled to receive it.
(2) Unauthorized access of a Government computer and obtaining classified or other protected information.
(a) That the accused intentionally accessed a Government computer with an unauthorized purpose; and
(b) That the accused thereby obtained classified or other protected information from any such Government computer.
(3) Causing damage to a Government computer.
(a) That the accused knowingly caused the transmission of a program, information, code, or command; and
(b) That the accused, as a result, intentionally and without authorization caused damage to a Government computer.
(c) Explanation.
(1) Access. “Access” means to gain entry to, instruct, cause input to, cause output from, cause data processing with, or communicate with, the logical, arithmetical, or memory function resources of a computer, computer system, or computer network.
(2) With an unauthorized purpose. The phrase “with an unauthorized purpose” may refer to more than one unauthorized purpose, or an unauthorized purpose in conjunction with an authorized purpose. The phrase covers persons accessing Government computers without any authorization, i.e., “outsiders,” as well as persons with authorization who access Government computers for an improper purpose or who exceed their authorization, i.e., “insiders.” The key criterion to determine criminality is whether the person intentionally used the computer for a purpose that was clearly contrary to the interests or intent of the authorizing party.
(3) Classified Information. See 10 U.S.C. § 801(15).
(4) Protected Information. Non-classified protected information includes Personally Identifiable Information (PII), as well as information designated as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by the Secretary of Defense, and information designated as For Official Use Only (FOUO), Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES), Unclassified Nuclear Information (UCNI), and Limited Distribution.
(5) Damage. The definition of “damage” is taken from 18 U.S.C. § 1030 and means any impairment to the integrity or availability of data, a program, a system, or information.
(6) Computer. The definition of “computer” is taken from 18 U.S.C. § 1030 and means an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions, and includes any data storage facility or communications facility directly related to or operating in conjunction with such device, but such term does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand held calculator, or other similar device. A portable computer, including a smartphone, is a computer.
(d) Maximum punishment.
(1) Unauthorized distribution of classified information obtained from a Government computer. Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 10 years.
(2) Unauthorized access of a Government computer and obtaining classified or other protected information. Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 5 years.
(3) Causing damage to a Government computer. Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 10 years.
(e) Sample specifications.
(1) Unauthorized distribution of classified information obtained from a Government computer. In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did (at/on board—location), (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), (on or about _____ 20 __) (from about _____ to about _____ 20 __), knowingly access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtained classified information, to wit:_____, with reason to believe the information could be used to injure the United States or benefit a foreign nation, and intentionally (communicated) (delivered) (transmitted) (caused to be communicated/delivered/transmitted) such information to ______, a person not entitled to receive it.
(2) Accessing a computer and obtaining information. In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did (at/on board—location), (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), (on or about _____ 20 __) (from about _____ to about _____ 20 __), intentionally access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and thereby knowingly obtained (classified) (protected) information, to wit:______ from such government computer.
(3) Causing damage by computer contaminant. In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did (at/on board—location), (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), (on or about _____ 20 __) (from about _____ to about _____ 20 __), knowingly cause the transmission of a program, information, code, or command, and as a result, intentionally and without authorization caused damage to a government computer.
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-69-1 · OFFENSES CONCERNING GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS
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
(1) Unauthorized distribution of classified information obtained from Government computer: DD, TF, 10 years, E-1. (Category 3)
(2) Unauthorized access of Government computer and obtaining classified or other protected information: DD, TF, 5 years, E-1. (Category 2)
(3) Causing damage to Government computer: DD, TF, 10 years, E-1. (Category 3)
b. SAMPLE SPECIFICATIONS:
Unauthorized Distribution of Classified Information Obtained from a Government Computer:
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location), (on or about __________) (from about _____ to about ____), knowingly access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtained classified information, to wit: ____________, with reason to believe the information could be used to injure the United States or benefit a foreign nation, and intentionally (communicated) (delivered) (transmitted) (caused to be communicated/delivered/transmitted) such information to __________, a person not entitled to receive it.
Accessing a Computer and Obtaining Information:
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location), (on or about __________) (from about ____ to about ____), intentionally access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and thereby knowingly obtained (classified) (protected) information, to wit: ____________, from such government computer.
Causing Damage by a Computer Contaminant:
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location), (on or about __________) (from about __________ to about __________), knowingly cause the transmission of a program, information, code, or command, and as a result, intentionally and without authorization caused damage to a government computer.
Elements
Unauthorized Distribution of Classified Information Obtained from a Government Computer:
(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused knowingly accessed a Government computer with an unauthorized purpose;
(2) That the accused, thereby, obtained classified information, to wit: (__________);
(3) That the accused had reason to believe the information could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation; and
(4) That the accused intentionally (communicated) (delivered) (transmitted) (caused to be communicated/delivered/transmitted) such information to ___________, a person not entitled to receive it.
Unauthorized Distribution of Classified Information Obtained from a Government Computer:
(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused intentionally accessed a Government computer with an unauthorized purpose; and
(2) That the accused thereby obtained classified or other protected information, to wit: (__________), from any such Government computer.
Causing Damage to a Government Computer:
(1) That (state the time and place alleged), the accused knowingly caused the transmission of a program, information, code, or command; and;
(2) That the accused, as a result, intentionally and without authorization, caused damage to a Government computer.
Definitions & other instructions
“Government computer” means a computer owned or operated by or on behalf of the United States Government.
“Computer” means an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions, and includes any data storage facility or communications facility directly related to or operating in conjunction with such device. A portable computer, including a smart phone, is a computer under this definition. However, such term does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand held calculator, or other similar device.
(“Access” means to gain entry to, instruct, cause input to, cause output from, cause data processing with, or communicate with, the logical, arithmetical, or memory function resources of a computer, computer system, or computer network.)
(“With an unauthorized purpose” may refer to more than one unauthorized purpose, or an unauthorized purpose in conjunction with an authorized purpose. The phrase covers persons accessing government computers without any authorization, that is, “outsiders,” as well as persons with authorization who access government computers for an improper purpose or who exceed their authorization, that is, “insiders.” The key criterion to determine “unauthorized purpose” is whether the person intentionally used the computer for a purpose that was clearly contrary to the interests or intent of the authorizing party.)
(“Classified information” means (A) any information or material that has been determined by an official of the United States pursuant to law, an Executive order, or regulation to require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security, and (B) any restricted data, which means, all data concerning (1) design, manufacture, or utilization of atomic weapons; (2) the production of special nuclear material; or (3) the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy, but shall not include data declassified or removed from the Restricted Data category pursuant to applicable law. “National security” means the national defense and foreign relations of the United States.)
(“Protected information” includes non-classified Personally Identifiable Information (PII), as well as information designated as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by the Secretary of Defense, and information designated as For Official Use Only (FOUO), Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES), Unclassified Nuclear Information (UCNI), and Limited Distribution.)
(“Damage” means any impairment to the integrity or availability of data, a program, a system, or information.)
NOTE 2. Other instructions. Instruction 7-3, Circumstantial Evidence (Knowledge) (Intent), is ordinarily applicable. Instruction 5-13, Ignorance or Mistake of Fact may be applicable. If causation is in issue (“…as a result of such conduct…”), see Instruction 5-5, Causation, Intervening Cause, Contributory Negligence.
Source: Instruction 3a-69-1 · view original on jagcnet.army.mil