What is the primary military law that governs service members?

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is the primary military law governing service members within the U.S. armed forces. It establishes a comprehensive legal framework that outlines the rights and responsibilities of military personnel, including what constitutes criminal behavior and the legal proceedings involved in prosecuting those offenses.

The UCMJ provides guidelines for both disciplinary actions and judicial processes, ensuring that service members are held accountable for their actions while also safeguarding their legal rights. This includes specifying various offenses, the types of courts-martial that can be convened, and the procedures for each, which are essential for maintaining good order and discipline within the military.

While the Military Code of Conduct relates to the ethical behavior expected of service members, it does not serve as a complete legal framework like the UCMJ. The Geneva Conventions, though critical for regulating the conduct of armed forces during conflict, do not govern peacetime conduct or apply to domestic military law comprehensively. The Defense Authorization Act pertains primarily to budgetary and policy matters regarding national defense and military spending, not the governing laws for service members' behavior. Thus, the UCMJ stands out as the foundational legal authority for military justice and discipline.