Uniform Code of Military Justice
Article 142. Assault, Battery, and Aggravated Assault.
(a) A person subject to this Code is guilty of assault when the person, without lawful justification or excuse, intentionally attempts or offers by force or violence to do bodily harm to another and has the apparent present ability to carry out the act.
(b) A person subject to this Code is guilty of battery when the person intentionally and unlawfully causes harmful or materially offensive physical contact with another.
(c) A person subject to this Code is guilty of aggravated assault when the person—
(i) commits an assault or battery with a dangerous weapon or other means likely to produce death or serious bodily harm;
(ii) intentionally inflicts serious bodily harm; or
(iii) intentionally attempts to inflict serious bodily harm under circumstances creating a substantial risk that the harm will occur.
(d) Lawful force used in combat, defense, apprehension, restraint, training, or another circumstance authorized by law does not constitute an offense to the extent the force used is lawful and reasonable.
(e) A person guilty under this Article shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.