We’ve all seen the movie Rules of Engagement and wondered: is this movie real for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps and military law? The answer is a resounding YES!
First off, let’s talk about the movie itself. Rules of Engagement is a 2000 American war film directed by William Friedkin and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Guy Pearce, and Ben Kingsley. The movie follows the story of a military lawyer, Lt. Colonel Terry Childers (Jackson), who is brought in to investigate a potential war crime involving the deaths of innocent civilians during a U.S. Marine Corps operation in Yemen.
Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of whether this movie is realistic for JAGs and military law. The short answer is yes, it is. The movie follows the rules of engagement as they are laid out in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ is the legal code that governs all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and is the basis for all military law.
For example, the movie follows the rules of engagement as they pertain to the use of deadly force. In the movie, Childers orders his Marines to open fire on a crowd of civilians in order to protect a convoy of Marines. This is in accordance with the UCMJ, which states that “deadly force may be used only when necessary to protect the lives of friendly forces or civilians.”
In addition, the movie also follows the rules of engagement as they relate to the court-martial process. In the movie, Childers is court-martialed for his actions in Yemen and is ultimately acquitted. This is in accordance with the UCMJ, which states that “a court-martial is the only means by which a service member can be tried for a crime.”
So, to sum it up, yes, Rules of Engagement is indeed a realistic portrayal of the JAG corps and military law. The movie follows the rules of engagement as they are laid out in the UCMJ and accurately portrays the court-martial process.
So, if you’re looking for a fun and educational movie night, then Rules of Engagement is the perfect choice!