The Orders Project is a non-partisan program created by the National Institute of Military Justice® (NIMJ) to assist military personnel in understanding their options when faced with orders they believe may not be legal.
The Orders Project is led by a group of professionals, experienced in military justice, who are committed to connecting service members with experienced legal counsel to make informed decisions about their duties under the law as it relates to orders.
There is a strong presumption of legality for orders under existing law, and following legal orders is critical to the good order and discipline of our military. However, when there is a question of legality, it is important that military personnel have a trusted resource to get their questions answered.
That’s where The Orders Project can help.
The Orders Project connects military personnel to experienced attorneys. Our attorneys are vetted members of the bar in good standing and many are former JAG officers. These attorneys can provide confidential counsel to the service member as they consider the legality of an order they have received.
In addition to attorney referrals, The Orders Project has developed a Sourcebook for Advising Military Personnel that attorneys can use in their practice. It is free and can be accessed here.
The Orders Project creates resources, such as its Sourcebook for advocates advising military personnel, and provides education to organizations and individuals about the complexities related to military orders. Click here to download this valuable free resource.
When faced with a potentially unlawful order, the balancing act faced by military personnel can be daunting. To disobey a lawful order could lead to criminal punishment, but so could obeying an order later determined to be patently unlawful.
So, military members must determine whether the orders they face are lawful. That is where The Orders Project can help by connecting military members with experienced attorneys.
Military personnel who fully understand their duty will enhance our national security and commitment to the rule of law.
The first step is to contact The Orders Project by email at ordersproject@nimj.org.
An initial intake review will be conducted by a member of The Orders Project team. If appropriate, a referral will be made to an approved attorney for a confidential consultation. Your consultation with the attorney is confidential and subject to attorney-client privilege.
