Why is adultery a crime in the military?

Easy, Integrity.

Next question.

Why? Probably because at some point early in the military someone was engaged in extra curricular activities with his bosses wife.

But beyond that social order. Can you really imagine a military where it was "ok"? You'd have soldiers beating the living daylights out of each other? Does it happen, sure. Does it make it right, heck no. As members of the military we are supposed to be above reproach and if we act a fool in our personal lives....it will affect our professional ones.

Because it is unprofessional.

For one thing, soldiers should not have to worry that Jody is one of their own.

Wow.. Is this really a Question? My eyes are burning and my head is killing me, just trying to wrap my mind around why this is even a topic for discussion.

The Military is a Values based orginization. We pride ourselves on our professionalism both on and off duty. Now we want to know why adultery is punishable under the UCMJ. If you cant be faithful to the person you pleged to spend the rest of your life with, how can you be trusted to cover my back in a firefight?

Now I do think that the elements of the offense should be looked at. If a husband and wife are legally seperated, and pending a divorce, I think that Soldier should be allowed to get on with His/Her life. Some divorces can take up to a year to be completed. Thats just my opnion.

As for a "Contract/Promise to God". I was not married by the church. My contract is with my wife, through the state of New Mexico. No Church was involved. So where is my crontract with God?

Civil Law is also violated, by the way. Adultery may not be a criminal offense, but it does provide grounds for divorce. It can determine who gets the house, the kids, the dog. Support payments.. A spouse can sue. Again why is this a question?

Adultery is diametrically opposed to good order and discipline. These traits are vital to the success of any organization - especially a military organization. Faithfulness, trustworthiness, honesty - these are more characteristics of military leaders which are opposing factors to adultery.

Common sense says leave it alone.

Ask your kids or kids of divorced parents what they think about it. Crime or not its the wrong thing to do. If you have any doubts of being able to love and stay with your significant other for the rest of your lives then why get married. That's kind of the reason behind the whole process.

AS LTC Gross pointed out, its got to do with good order and discipline in the unit. This is an excerpt from Article 134 of the UCMJ:

"To constitute an offense under the UCMJ, the adulterous conduct must either be directly prejudicial to good order and discipline or service discrediting. Adulterous conduct that is directly prejudicial includes conduct that has an obvious, and measurably divisive effect on unit or organization discipline, morale, or cohesion, or is clearly detrimental to the authority or stature of or respect toward a servicemember."

So, the act itself, is not a "crime" in the military IF it doesn't directly have a measurable effect on the unit. That being said, it may still be a crime in the state.

To put this in perspective, my first marriage didn't last long, however, the divorce proceedings through the state we were married in were dragged out over the course of 5 years because my wife had run off and not bothered to contact me or let me know where she was living. During that time, I was dating, got engaged a few years after the divorce started, and was waiting on the court orders. When I found out that my fiancee was pregnant, I went straight to my XO and explained the situation and asked what it meant as far as UCMJ was concerned. She read that article to me and told me that since it effected the unit or my performance in no way, the military would not punish me.

Now, there was a set of circumstances there, and there are as many sets of circumstances as there are people. It's up to the commander to decide the perception and act from there. It's also definitely going to bring values into question as many have stated. One persons circumstances may be understandable, another person my lose the respect of subordinates and leadership which may very well end up having that direct and measurable effect on good order and discipline.

Aside from the values all the services have,adultery is in itself a selfllish act of an immature adult.
This adult could not or would not take the time to listen and understand their vows.
Marriage is hard and rewarding but you have to work at it, compromise and understand that it is not about you anymore.
I have been married for 18 years to the same wonderful woman who has stood by me through numerous deployments,schools and annual trainings
How could I as a man devalue that commitment by having an affair.
Have an affair because I am mad, because I want get even, because she is not giving me the attention I think I deserve. All selfish and childish behavior.
So having an affair is a crime, maybe not, but is most certainly a mirror of what kind of leader you are. _____ __ _____ y'all fill in the blank.

You know, I’m not sure why this popped up in my main feed... it’s 4 years old.