Under U.S. law, how can military authority be challenged?

Military authority in the United States can be challenged through judicial review or legislative oversight, which ensures that military actions are subject to legal standards and oversight by other branches of government. Judicial review allows courts to evaluate the legality of military actions and decisions, thereby maintaining a system of checks and balances. This process ensures that service members are protected by the rule of law and that military authority does not operate outside legal parameters.

Legislative oversight involves Congress exercising its authority to monitor military operations and policies, ensuring that actions taken by the military comply with statutory and constitutional requirements. This oversight can lead to inquiries, hearings, or reports that hold military leaders accountable for their actions.

In contrast, disciplinary action from senior officers, media intervention, and public opinion polls influence military authority in more indirect or less formal ways. They may reflect dissatisfaction or push for changes, but they do not constitute a formal or legal mechanism for challenging military authority under U.S. law. Judicial review and legislative oversight are the mechanisms that provide structured and recognized means to contest military authority.