What is an Article 107 offense?

Article 107 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a federal law that prohibits anyone in the armed forces from making false statements through written or verbal communication. This could include lying to a commanding officer, making a false official statement, or giving false testimony. In this context, a false statement is considered any statement that is known to be incorrect or not true. Making a false statement in the military is considered a serious offense, as it can lead to a breakdown in the chain of command or a lack of trust between commanding officers and those in their command. Any personnel found to have violated Article 107 can face severe consequences, including possible court martial proceedings and time in prison. In order to be convicted of an Article 107 offense, military prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a service member knowingly and willfully committed the crime. They must also provide evidence that the accused was aware that their statement or testimony was false. A false statement or testimony can be something as serious as a lie about a person’s qualifications or military service or as minor as a typo in a document. Depending on the circumstances, an Article 107 violation can be punishable by dishonorable discharge, loss of rank, and other punitive measures.

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What is an Article 107 offense?

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