William M. Lips, Appellee/cross-Appellant v. Commandant, United States Disciplinary Barracks, Appellant/cross-Appellee

McWILLIAMS, Senior Circuit Judge.

This case concerns the relationship between the federal civil courts and the military courts.

William M. Lips, a Senior Master Sergeant serving on active duty in the United States Air Force and assigned to the 50th Civil Engineering Squadron at Hahn Air Base in Germany, was convicted in 1984 by a military jury of rape, in violation of Article 120, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. § 920; forcible sodomy, in violation of Article 125, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 925; and aggravated assault (three counts), in violation of Article 128, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 928.…