20 Military Law Quiz Questions and Answers

1. Question: What is the primary purpose of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)?
A) To regulate international trade
B) To govern the conduct of military personnel
C) To manage civilian law enforcement
D) To oversee foreign policy
Answer: B
Explanation: The UCMJ is a federal law that establishes the legal framework for disciplining and maintaining order among military members, ensuring they adhere to standards of conduct.

2. Question: Under Article 15 of the UCMJ, what type of punishment can a commanding officer impose?
A) Court-martial for capital offenses
B) Non-judicial punishment for minor offenses
C) Imprisonment exceeding one year
D) Discharge from service without review
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 15 allows commanders to administer non-judicial punishment for minor infractions, providing a quicker resolution than a formal court-martial.

3. Question: Which international treaty primarily governs the humane treatment of prisoners of war?
A) The Hague Conventions
B) The Geneva Conventions
C) The Vienna Convention
D) The Paris Peace Accords
Answer: B
Explanation: The Geneva Conventions outline rules for protecting victims of war, including prisoners of war, to prevent atrocities and ensure basic human rights.

4. Question: What is the role of a military judge in a general court-martial?
A) To act as the defense attorney
B) To preside over the trial and ensure legal procedures are followed
C) To prosecute the accused
D) To select the jury members
Answer: B
Explanation: A military judge oversees the court-martial proceedings, maintains order, and rules on legal matters to ensure a fair trial.

5. Question: In military law, what does “command responsibility” refer to?
A) The duty of subordinates to follow orders
B) The accountability of commanders for crimes committed by their subordinates
C) The right to issue battlefield commands
D) The process of promoting officers
Answer: B
Explanation: Command responsibility holds leaders liable for failing to prevent or punish violations of law by those under their command, promoting accountability.

6. Question: Which UCMJ article addresses absence without leave (AWOL)?
A) Article 86
B) Article 92
C) Article 134
D) Article 15
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 86 specifically defines and penalizes unauthorized absence from duty, which includes AWOL, to maintain military readiness.

7. Question: What is the purpose of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)?
A) To regulate domestic military training
B) To set rules for conduct during armed conflicts
C) To handle peacetime alliances
D) To govern economic sanctions
Answer: B
Explanation: LOAC, also known as international humanitarian law, establishes guidelines to minimize suffering and protect civilians and combatants during warfare.

8. Question: In a summary court-martial, who serves as the judge?
A) A panel of officers
B) A single commissioned officer
C) A civilian judge
D) The accused’s commanding officer
Answer: B
Explanation: A summary court-martial is conducted by one commissioned officer who acts as judge, prosecutor, and defense counsel for minor offenses.

9. Question: What does the principle of proportionality in military law require?
A) That attacks must be proportional to the anticipated military advantage
B) That all soldiers must be of equal rank
C) That weapons must be identical on both sides
D) That conflicts must end within a set time
Answer: A
Explanation: Proportionality ensures that the expected military gain from an action outweighs the incidental harm to civilians, preventing excessive force.

10. Question: Under the UCMJ, what is fraternization?
A) Sharing resources during deployment
B) Improper relationships between military personnel of different ranks
C) Training exercises between allied forces
D) Routine communication with superiors
Answer: B
Explanation: Fraternization prohibits unduly familiar relationships that could undermine order, discipline, or morale in the military hierarchy.

11. Question: Which body has the authority to convene a general court-martial?
A) Any non-commissioned officer
B) The President or an officer with special authority
C) A military chaplain
D) A civilian court judge
Answer: B
Explanation: General courts-martial, for serious offenses, can only be convened by the President or certain high-ranking officers as specified in the UCMJ.

12. Question: What is the Geneva Convention’s stance on the use of torture?
A) It is permitted in extreme circumstances
B) It is absolutely prohibited under all conditions
C) It is allowed for high-value targets
D) It requires prior approval from commanders
Answer: B
Explanation: The Geneva Conventions explicitly ban torture and inhumane treatment of detainees to uphold human dignity and international standards.

13. Question: In military law, what constitutes a war crime?
A) Any tactical error in battle
B) Violations of the laws and customs of war, such as targeting civilians
C) Routine disciplinary actions
D) Strategic planning decisions
Answer: B
Explanation: War crimes include acts like deliberate attacks on non-combatants or mistreatment of prisoners, which are prosecutable under international law.

14. Question: What is the burden of proof in a military court-martial?
A) Preponderance of evidence
B) Beyond a reasonable doubt
C) Clear and convincing evidence
D) Probable cause
Answer: B
Explanation: Military trials require the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, similar to civilian courts, to protect the accused’s rights.

15. Question: Under Article 92 of the UCMJ, what is penalized?
A) Failure to obey orders or regulations
B) Theft of government property
C) Desertion during peacetime
D) Mutiny and sedition
Answer: A
Explanation: Article 92 addresses failures to follow lawful orders, regulations, or directives, emphasizing discipline in the armed forces.

16. Question: What does the term “status of forces agreement” (SOFA) mean in military law?
A) An agreement on troop rankings
B) A pact governing the legal status of military personnel in foreign countries
C) A contract for weapon supplies
D) Rules for military exercises
Answer: B
Explanation: SOFAs define how foreign military personnel are treated under local laws, including jurisdiction and immunities, to facilitate international operations.

17. Question: In the context of military law, what is a “convening authority”?
A) The person who decides to hold a court-martial
B) A defense witness
C) The accused’s legal representative
D) A medical officer
Answer: A
Explanation: The convening authority is an officer empowered to call for and oversee courts-martial, ensuring proper initiation of legal proceedings.

18. Question: What principle requires distinguishing between combatants and civilians in warfare?
A) Military necessity
B) Distinction
C) Proportionality
D) Neutrality
Answer: B
Explanation: The principle of distinction mandates that attacks target only military objectives, protecting civilians from direct harm.

19. Question: Under the UCMJ, what is the maximum punishment for desertion in time of war?
A) Dishonorable discharge
B) Death
C) Confinement for up to two years
D) Reduction in rank
Answer: B
Explanation: Desertion during wartime can be punishable by death under Article 85, reflecting the severity of abandoning duty in critical situations.

20. Question: What role does the Judge Advocate General (JAG) play in military law?
A) To command combat operations
B) To provide legal advice and services to the military
C) To handle public relations
D) To train enlisted personnel
Answer: B
Explanation: JAG officers serve as legal experts, advising on matters like courts-martial, contracts, and international law to support military operations.