Where can the lesser included offenses be found in the UCMJ?

• A. Article 78
• B. Article 80
• C. Article 15
• D. Article 79

Answer: (D)

The question tests where the authority for convicting on a lesser included offense is located in the UCMJ. A lesser included offense is one whose elements are contained within a greater offense charged; if the evidence supports it, the court-martial can convict on the lesser offense without a separate charge. Article 79 is the provision that explicitly provides for this option, letting a defendant be found guilty of a simpler offense within the same conduct and punished within its own limits. The other articles deal with different parts of the military justice system—such as nonjudicial punishment or other procedural aspects—and do not govern the doctrine of lesser included offenses. Hence, Article 79 is the correct reference.