Malingering, the act of self-inflicted injury to avoid work or duty, is addressed under which UCMJ article?

• A. Article 86
• B. Article 92
• C. Article 134
• D. Article 115

Answer: (D)

Malingering is a deliberate act of pretending to be ill or injured to avoid work or duty, often to game the system or gain medical leave. Because this behavior involves deceit aimed at dodging service and undermines the integrity of medical evaluations, there is a specific UCMJ provision that directly addresses it. That article defines and punishes feigning illness or injury, making it the proper charge for malingering rather than tying it to other offenses like leaving without authorization, disobeying orders, or generic misconduct. The other articles cover different misconduct (wrongful absence, failure to follow orders, or a broad catch-all for conduct prejudicial to discipline), while malingering is a distinct offense best addressed by the dedicated article.