Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 125 Banning Sodomy as ‘Unnatural Carnal Copulation’

The following is Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), banning sodomy. The UCMJ is the “foundation of military law in the United States,” and governs conduct for all members of the Armed Forces. The anti-sodomy provision is among 56 “Punitive Articles” (e.g., Perjury, Assault, Burglary) listed in Subchapter X of the USMJ:

925. ART. 125. SODOMY

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who engages in unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex or with an animal is guilty of sodomy. Penetration , however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.

(b) Any person found guilty of sodomy shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

The following is the “Conduct Unbecoming” article:

933. ART. 133. CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN

Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

And here is the military Enlistment Oath that every prospective serviceman and servicewoman must take:

Enlisted Oath

# 10 USCcode Sec. 502 (01/24/94) Enlistment oath, and who may administer
(Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 31, Sec. 502)

Sec. 502. – Enlistment oath: who may administer

Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath: ”I, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.” This oath may be taken before any commissioned officer of any armed force.