Which type of law governs the conduct of service members in the armed forces?

• A. Civil
• B. Criminal
• C. Constitutional
• D. Military

Answer: (D)

In the military, conduct is governed by military law. This is the system that sets rules for discipline and justice inside the armed forces, including how offenses are defined and how they are tried through courts-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. While service members do have constitutional rights that apply within that framework, the primary framework for military conduct and discipline is military law, not the general civil or civilian criminal systems. Civil law handles nonmilitary matters between civilians; constitutional law deals with government powers and rights at a broader level; civilian criminal law covers crimes in society at large, whereas the military uses its own set of laws and procedures to regulate behavior of those in uniform.