What are the rules on leaking classified information?

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No, Im Canadian, though we do things similarly due to shared doctrine.

I understand what you're saying. The information may be related to something sensitive, but the document itself cannot be classified. Someone has to decide that its classified, there is a process that is followed, its not just a matter of some dude saying 'okay this is gonna be classified TOP SECRET: UBER DUBER SECRET BRO, GTFO'.

In any case the soldier would not have the opportunity to leak it. The only possible way he could go to jail would be if he decided to keep it (war crime, looting). Generally he would pass it up his chain right away up to the patrol commander or the platoon commander, and they would be more familiar with how to deal with captured documents. The officer would pass it on during the patrol debrief, and some intelligence dork would show up to grab it. If he decided it was necessary, he'd arrange a security debrief, where the entire patrol/platoon would be told it was classified (blah blah blah), at which point they'd become legally liable just like anyone else with a clearance, and if they talked to the press or something about it they'd go to jail.

Soldiers nowadays are all considered collectors, they are encouraged to look around for stuff/take notes while on patrol on what they see and pass it on to the intelligence shop. In any case he wouldn't be punished for doing his job.
 
Yes, but for it to get from a secure container to the front page of a newspaper, there has to be negligence involved somewhere. If I leave something out on my desk and go home, and you walk in to the shop, see it and grab it and give it to the press, you may get in shit, but I would be in a world of hurt compared to you.
 
I could send my father in-law your resume if you'd like...if they have an opening...
 
If you're wanting a specific article of the UCMJ that deals with classified information, you're not going to find one. What you would generally be charged with is Article 92 failure to obey an order/regulation, Article 80 Attempts (based on the cirumstances), Article 134 General Article (based on circumstances) I used to have a good breakdown on a lot of the specifics on Article 134 I believe there is a subsection that has to deal with documents that this would fall under Article 108 Military Property of the United States, loss, damage, destruction or wrongful disposition.

The thing to keep in mind, the UCMJ is only the punitive articles for charges against someone. The specific Force Wide Operational Orders (opords), Standard Operating Procedures (sops), all the way down to command level instructions is what will govern classified material. Not to mention any sort of US Code, DOD Directives etc...

I'm trying not to be vague and general but without knowing all the specifics of a particular situation, ie; circumstances behind the compromise, exactly what was compromised, level of classification of material etc etc...it's really hard to answer.

Just know that the ensuing investigation is a shit storm of the highest caliber, actions taken against the person could range from Commanding Officers' Non-Judicial Punishment all the way to a court-martial with very serious jail time even death penalties.

don't know if any of that made sense..
 
appreciate it but i wasn't really serious, i'm headed back to st. louis is august and trying to decide whether i want to work for my dad or go back to college.
 
Leaked classified information is only bad when it sheds bad light on a Democrat but perfectly OK via media and Dem politicians if it sheds bad light on a Republican.

Why else was there so much leaked classified information during the Bush years but seemingly none during Obama?
 
You don't just "happen" upon classified information unless many failures in safeguarding that information occur.

All classified documents are marked as such and all verbal classified communication is identified as such.


And, if an individual gets information that is "unknowingly classified", it should be treated as "Official Use Only" which means you shouldn't be spreading it out the press or telling you neighbors. Only certain Government officials are allowed to speak to the press.
 
After he said he was, my response was "Fair enough."


The fact that you found that to be funny says more about you than it does me.
 
They absolutely should not censor themselves. The whole point if journalism is to have another check and balance on the government.
 
So if a reporter happend to come across troop/ship movement schedules and movement reports, you're all for them posting that information?
 
With rights come responsibilities. How does getting troops/sailors killed benefit you or anyone?
 
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