Too much ‘gentlemanliness’ in the military
People are walking on eggshells with an ill-defined etiquette at the courts-martial
A healthy “Good morning, Sir!” and a snappy salute: your bed’s all made at 6:00 AM sharp and you can bounce a quarter on those sheets — ★ahem★ — let's not be so gay about it.
Military Justice Attorneys
Conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman is defined as any action or behavior, whether in an official or private capacity, that dishonors or disgraces the officer personally and seriously compromises their standing as an officer. ¶The term “gentleman” applies to all commissioned officers, cadets, and midshipmen, regardless of gender. To establish a violation of Article 133, the government must prove two elements …
So by any layman’s interpretation, just tip your hat and start picking up the ladies according to this curiously bizarre UCMJ code. And there’s a government trying to prove elements of “gentlemanliness” to a crime somewhere between chivalry and chauvinism beyond a reasonable doubt without being laughed out of court.
And somewhere I can't quite envision, chair legs are screeching on the floor and the whole audience at once is grabbing coats and hats and rushing out to their parked cars in the pouring down rain.