Under what circumstances can military personnel be tried by military courts?

Military personnel can be tried by military courts primarily for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ outlines the legal framework governing the conduct of military members and specifies the offenses for which they can be held accountable. This includes a wide range of violations such as desertion, insubordination, and other misconduct specifically related to military duties.

The proper functioning of the military justice system is critical to maintaining order and discipline within the armed forces. The UCMJ ensures that service members are subject to military law, which may differ from civilian law. This legal framework is essential to address issues unique to military service that civilian courts might not adequately handle.

Other options, while they may contain elements that are factual in certain contexts, do not encompass the systematic and specific legal basis provided by the UCMJ for prosecuting military personnel. For example, while military members can face charges related to conduct involving civilians, that alone does not derive from the UCMJ. Additionally, being on active duty or deployed is not a blanket requirement for military jurisdiction, as reservists and retired personnel can also be tried under certain conditions dictated by military law.