Townhall.com -- 'I Pledge Allegiance to Iraq' -- By Lt. Col. Scott Rutter

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and its predecessor, the Articles of War, provided the U.S. with a separate system of laws and statues that is directed toward maintaining morale and discipline in the armed forces. These laws exist distinct from the civilian system, which focuses on jurisprudence, liberty, and due process. The point of military law is to ensure those who pledge allegiance to the Constitution as members of the armed forces uphold their obligation, under all circumstances. Even in 1775, the founders of this nation could see that a separate system was needed to ensure duty and order in the military.