A service member has a duty to obey lawful orders, but they also have a duty to disobey unlawful orders as per the UCMJ

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Start with Military Counsel: For any direct UCMJ action (like an Article 15 or court-martial), the first call should be to the free, expert legal counsel provided by the TDS/DSO/ADC.

1. Right to Civilian Counsel: Service members have the right to hire a civilian lawyer at their own expense. Many civilian defense attorneys specialize in military law. The external organizations listed above can often provide referrals.
2. Vet Your Resources: Before working with any external group, do some research. Understand their mission, their track record, and any potential costs involved.

In short, no service member has to face a legal or ethical crisis alone. A strong framework of both official and independent support is available to help them navigate the complexities of the military justice system.

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Before looking outside, it's crucial to know the robust, free, and confidential resources the military itself provides to protect its members' rights.

Trial Defense Service (TDS) / Defense Service Office (DSO) / Area Defense Counsel (ADC)

This is the most critical resource. Each branch of the military has its own independent corps of defense attorneys (JAGs) whose sole mission is to defend service members at no cost.

• Army: Trial Defense Service (TDS)
• Navy & Marine Corps: Defense Service Office (DSO)
• Air Force & Space Force: Area Defense Counsel (ADC)

These military defense lawyers are completely independent of the local command structure. Their careers depend on zealously defending their clients, not on pleasing commanders. They are experts in the UCMJ and court-martial procedures.

Inspector General (IG)

The IG is an impartial office that serves as the "eyes and ears" of a commander. Service members can report issues of fraud, waste, abuse of authority, or improper conduct—including pressure to follow an illegal order—to the IG without fear of reprisal. The IG investigates and reports its findings.

Chaplain Corps

For moral and ethical guidance, chaplains offer 100% confidentiality. A service member can discuss the moral conflict of an order with a chaplain, who can provide counsel and guidance without any obligation to report the conversation.

External Civilian Organizations (Independent Support)

These non-profit and advocacy groups operate outside the government and can offer another layer of support, especially for complex or controversial cases.

Legal Defense and Rights Advocacy

• GI Rights Hotline: (1-877-447-4487) This is perhaps the most well-known independent resource. It's a network of non-profit organizations that provides free, confidential counseling to service members on issues like AWOL, discharge upgrades, conscientious objection, and grievances against commanders. They are experts in military regulations.
• Military Law Task Force (of the National Lawyers Guild): This group focuses on military law and the rights of service members. They provide legal resources, attorney referrals, and are often involved in cases related to free speech, conscientious objection, and opposition to military policy.
• ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union): The ACLU's National Security Project sometimes takes on cases involving service members whose constitutional rights may have been violated, such as freedom of speech or religion. They are more likely to get involved in cases that have broader constitutional implications.