Title 10, Armed ForcesRelease 119-110

§895a Art. 95a. Disrespect Toward Sentinel or Lookout

Title 10 › Subtitle A — General Military Law › PART II — PERSONNEL › CHAPTER 47 — UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE › SUBCHAPTER X — PUNITIVE ARTICLES › § 895a

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone in the military who knows someone is a sentinel or lookout (a guard on watch) and speaks abusive or disrespectful words that the guard can hear must face punishment by a court-martial. The same applies to behaving disrespectfully where the guard can see it while the guard is on duty.

Full Legal Text

Title 10, §895a

Armed Forces, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Disrespectful Language Toward Sentinel or Lookout.—

Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that another person is a sentinel or lookout, uses wrongful and disrespectful language that is directed toward and within the hearing of the sentinel or lookout, who is in the execution of duties as a sentinel or lookout, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

(b)Disrespectful Behavior Toward Sentinel or Lookout.—

Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that another person is a sentinel or lookout, behaves in a wrongful and disrespectful manner that is directed toward and within the sight of the sentinel or lookout, who is in the execution of duties as a sentinel or lookout, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on Jan. 1, 2019, as designated by the President, with implementing

Regulations

and provisions relating to applicability to various situations, see section 5542 of Pub. L. 114–328 and Ex. Ord. No. 13825, set out as notes under section 801 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

10 U.S.C. § 895a

Title 10, Armed Forces

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110