Military Protective Order: Everything You Need To Know

Have you ever been in an abusive relationship or situation and needed to get away from? It’s hard when you need to protect yourself from anyone close to you, but it gets even harder and scarier when a service member is threatening to harm you. 

If you’re in a relationship with someone who’s part of the military, know that there is a legal and binding protection that can ensure your safety. 

A Military Protective Order (MPO) can be issued as a temporary court order against military personnel accused of crimes, domestic violence, or assaults. It protects the victim by restraining the respondent from contacting them or coming within a certain distance of the victim, their family members, and their residence.

You must provide proof of abuse and imminent danger from the offender to be required of the protection. Once you are issued an MPO, you must understand the terms of the order to avoid criminal charges or disciplinary action under military law.

Let’s discover all that MPO can offer you.

Definition of Military Protective Order

An MPO is a legal command issued by the commander, and it protects a victim of domestic abuse, violence, or harassment within the military community. 

This order prevents the offender from making contact or getting near the victim to keep them from being harmed. The breach of an MPO may attract serious disciplinary charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

MPOs are expedited protective orders used to provide immediate protection to the victim while court proceedings are in motion. They are different from restraining orders issued by civilian courts but tend to serve the same purpose regarding the protection of those in military circles. 

If the aggrieved party is aware of the conditions of the MPO, misunderstandings may be avoided, and the order will achieve its objective.

Reasons for Obtaining an MPO

An MPO cannot just be obtained due to physical violence but also in situations where verbal abuse has caused fear and distress. The restraining order stipulates the boundaries and restrictions against the offending party, thus easing the prevention of escalation.

An MPO could be kept in place to develop order and discipline in the military community and a respectful environment for all concerned. If you find yourself in a situation where your safety is at risk, perform protective custody.

Process of Obtaining an MPO

Contact the unit’s victim advocate to initiate the request and receive an explanation of how the process works and assistance in completing the needed paperwork. 

Fill out the necessary forms in which you describe your need for an MPO. Afterwards, military officials will consider if the MPO is warranted.

You may be called to a hearing, after filing, to explain the reasons for the necessity of an MPO for your safety. The military authorities shall consider your statement and make a decision. 

If the MPO is granted, you will receive a copy of the protections and restrictions for the person named in the order. During this process, your safety and well-being are of major concern.

Rights and Responsibilities Under an MPO

These are what you must understand and abide by under an MPO for it to be successful. You have the right to be protected from the recipient of the order. They may not contact you or be near you.

The victim should respect any infringement on this right and report it immediately. After this, you can act, possibly even legally, to further protect yourself.

You also have specific responsibilities under the MGA to protect yourself from the MGA Respondent. Among these duties is obeying all restrictions imposed by the order. Such restrictions are vital for the effectiveness of the order and your safety.

Take responsibility for your duties when issuing an MPO, as violating it may result in severe penalties.

Violations and Consequences of an MPO

If an MPO is violated, there is corresponding punishment for the violators. Those include reprimands, loss of rank, deductions in pay, restriction to base, extra duties, or even initiation of court-martial proceedings. Any person bound by an order must understand its terms fully and abide by them strictly.

An MPO is a serious legal document meant to protect you from harm, and violation of its provisions could potentially hurt one’s military career and personal life forever. This order must be respected at all costs to ensure the safety and welfare of the concerned parties.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.