COVID-19 and military justice (U.S. Army)

The Commanding General at Fort Rucker, Alabama, has issued General Order No. 1, to deal with the coronavirus. The order is punitive, meaning that violations may be prosecuted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Because it is a general order, the government need not prove that an accused actually knew of its terms.

Another such general order has been issued by the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. That one specifically bans travel to New York City, New Rochelle, and the Village of Kiryas Joel, all of which are COVID-19 hotspots.

A punitive Force Public Health Order has also been issued for U.S. Forces, Japan.