My Leader gave me an order to go to a specific location and perform a specific task. I refused to do it. Can the Leader use physical force (grabbing me and pushing me to the location)?
Great Question!
Short Answer
NO! Based on the Information You Provided The Leader Cannot, Should Not, Will Not use Physical Force to Make a Soldier Comply!
Discussion
If a Leader gives a Soldier an order to go somewhere and the Soldier refuses to go to the designated location, The Leader IS NOT allowed to physically grab the Soldier and force them to move to the designated location?
Depending on the circumstances this could be considered assault under the UCMJ.
Now let’s look at the situation from another perspective. By refusing to obey the order you could also be charged under the UCMJ for failure to obey an order or regulation. The Order must be legal, ethical, moral, and be IAW with Safety requirement (other than combat).
The exceptions to the statement above include:
- The Soldier is a threat to themselves’ or others
- The NCO is making an apprehension for criminal activity
- The NCO is breaking up a Physical altercation involving Soldier(s)
As they say in the Indiana Jones Movie – Choose Wisely
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Comments
Ethan Thomas
Good info! Thanks for including exceptions to the rule ?
Mark Gerecht
HOOAH! Thanks for the feedback!