According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 88—Contempt toward officials:
Text.
“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
Elements.
(1) That the accused was a commissioned officer of the United States armed forces;
(2) That the accused used certain words against an official or legislature named in the article;
(3) That by an act of the accused these words came to the knowledge of a person other than the accused; and
(4) That the words used were contemptuous, either in themselves or by virtue of the circumstances under which they were used.
Lesser included offense.
Article 80—attempts
Maximum punishment.
Dismissal, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year.
Note: While only commissioned officers can be charged under this article, DOD Directive 1344.10- POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON ACTIVE DUTY, extend these same requirements to all individuals on active duty. Enlisted members and warrant officers who violate these provisions can be charged under Article 92, of the UCMJ, Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm88.htm
WOW-thanks!
Thanks for posting that, I had an idea that enlisted personnel could get themselves in trouble, and that confirms it.
It just opens the door for the dummies to use fakes, though, or those no longer serving who would be willing to step up to the plate.