In the Media
Cody Harnish’s commentary on military justice, service members’ rights and the UCMJ, as featured in national and local news.
Press & Commentary
Cody Harnish is a former Army JAG officer and civilian military defense attorney. Reporters at national and local outlets turn to him to explain how military justice works and what is at stake for the service members involved. A selection of his recent commentary is below, newest first.
As seen in CBS News MS NOW DC News Now ABC 10News MyBaseGuide
Navy sailor who was jailed in Venezuela took stage at GOP convention, in unusual military presence at political event
Cody explains the rules that limit service members’ participation in partisan political events.
“The moment he stepped on stage as part of the production, he stopped being a spectator.”
Navy sailor who jumped off USS Lincoln faces disciplinary charges
Cody questions the Navy’s decision to bring disciplinary charges against a sailor who jumped off the USS Lincoln.
“We tell service members to reach out for help, and then we keep a criminal statute on the books for the ones who didn’t get it in time. That’s a policy choice.”
Army Ends Anonymous Harassment Reporting, Shifting Power Back to Commanders
Cody breaks down what the Army’s new harassment-reporting policy means for commanders and soldiers.
“The policy now says in writing that rude and abrasive behavior is not automatically harassment.”
Congress Reopens Military Hazing Debate With New UCMJ Reform Bill
Cody looks at a proposed UCMJ reform that would treat hazing as its own offense.
“The biggest change may not be punishment. It may be how incidents are tracked, categorized, and investigated.”
The Military Justice “Gap” No One Talks About, and Why It Can Put You at Risk
Cody explains why service members facing command action need their own independent counsel.
“Command lawyers don’t represent you; they represent the command.”
Can the DoD Strip Your Rank After You Retire? Why the Mark Kelly Case Matters to Every Veteran
Cody explains when the military can, and cannot, act against a retiree’s rank and retired pay.
“Retirement is a property right.”
Military justice experts weigh in on service members’ Charlie Kirk social media posts
Cody explains where a service member’s social media speech can cross into a UCMJ offense.
“The key is whether speech becomes prejudicial to good order and discipline, or conduct unbecoming of an officer.”
Marine charged with sexual exploitation of children bonds out of Colorado jail; investigators think there are more victims
Cody describes how the military can respond when a service member faces civilian criminal charges.
“…your employer is firing you because you’ve been accused of misconduct outside of the job.”
Army document outlines plans for expelling transgender troops from military
Cody explains how separation could affect troops’ security clearances and future careers.
“This can be a serious roadblock to keeping or transferring a security clearance to future employment requiring a clearance.”
Attorney explains possible consequences for sailor accused in Hawaiian Airlines bomb threat
Cody outlines the military consequences a young sailor could face after a false bomb threat.
“An older, more mature sailor would know better.”
“I’m sorry mom”: Navy chief caught trying to meet minor in vigilante sting
Cody discusses the legal questions raised by vigilante sting videos and what a chief near retirement stands to lose.
“He was almost there at the 20-year mark where he could have started pulling from retirement.”
Affiliations
National Institute of Military Justice
Cody is a Fellow of the National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the fair administration of justice in the military.
The Orders Project
Cody works with The Orders Project, which helps military personnel understand their options when faced with orders they believe may not be legal.
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