OPINION OF THE COURT
BURTON, Judge:
A military judge sitting as a general court-martial convicted appellant, pursuant to his pleas, of two specifications of possessing child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(A) (2006), one specification of distributing child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2) (2006), two specifications of transporting child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(l) (2006), and one specification of obstructing justice, each in violation of Article 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 934 (2006) [hereinafter UCMJ]. The military judge sentenced appellant to a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for thirty months, and reduction to the grade of E-l. The convening authority approved only fifteen months of appellant’s sentence to confinement in accordance with appellant’s pretrial agreement and approved the remainder of the sentence as adjudged.
This case is before the court for review under Article 66, UCMJ. We have considered the record of trial, appellant’s assignments of error, the government’s answer, and the matters discussed during oral argument. We find a substantial basis in law and fact for questioning appellant’s plea to distribution of child pornography and will provide relief in our decretal paragraph.
BACKGROUND
Specification 3 of The Charge alleged the following offense:
In that Sergeant (E — 5) Ryan M. Gorski, U.S. Army, did, between on or about 27 May 2008 and on or about 25 June 2009, at or near Fort Drum, New York, a place under exclusive or concurrent federal jurisdiction, knowingly distribute, by making available for downloading from his personal computer by another, via a peer-to-peer file sharing network, fifteen (15) images and seventeen (17) video files of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, conduct using a means and facility of interstate commerce, in violation of 18 USC § 2252A(a)(2), such conduct being prejudicial to good order and discipline or of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
At the beginning of appellant’s plea, the military judge recognized that a potential issue existed with the term “distribution” as it related to Specification 3 of The Charge. In fact, the military judge detailed on the record the discussion he had with the parties during Rule for Courts-Martial [hereinafter R.C.M.] 802 sessions. The military judge noted that United States v. Christy, 65 M.J. 657 (Army Ct.Crim.App.2007), “appears to hold that merely putting those images in a shared file that goes out through the Lime-Wire process constitutes enough for delivery and that you don’t need any actual delivery under the CPPA [Child Pornography Prevention Act] to have distribution.” The military judge then stated that United States v. Craig, 67 M.J. 742 (N.M.Ct.Crim.App.2009), “holds otherwise.” The military judge next stated that United States v. Kuemmerle, 67 M.J. 141 (C.A.A.F.2009), “appears to indicate that Christy may be wrong here.” Finally, the military judge noted “that there is no controlling authority that says that Christy is inaccurate or has been overturned in any way [and] [t]he court believes it’s bound by U.S. v. Christy in its holding.” The military judge concluded his recap of the R.C.M. 802 sessions by stating that he would “use the common definition of distribution, which is that which is in the Manual for Courts-Martial.”
When the military judge asked the trial counsel to announce the general nature of the charges, the trial counsel replied that one specification involved “distribution of child pornography in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 2252 Alpha.” Later on during the providence inquiry, the military judge informed appellant of the elements of Specification 3 of The Charge, and asked appellant how did he “attempt to distribute those images?” Appellant responded that the images “were available for download in [his] share[d] folder that was created on the — from the [732]*732LimeWire program....” The military judge then defined “distribution” for appellant, and advised that “ ‘[distribute’ means to deliver to the possession of another.” The military judge later clarified that “the way [appellant] distributed these images and videos was [appellant] made them available to be downloaded [from appellant’s] shared file[J”
Appellant explained to the military judge how images and videos could be obtained from his LimeWire shared folder:
What it was, sir, is once the — once I downloaded a video off the program, it automatically went into the shared file, which then, if somebody on the network anywhere in the world wanted to download that same file, they could just — the system would automatically go into my file and pull it out and download it to their computer.
Appellant later confirmed that he knew others could download images and videos containing child pornography from his Lime-Wire shared folder. Appellant also admitted that he could have removed the contraband files from his shared folder, which would have precluded others from accessing and downloading them. Appellant stated that he intentionally left files containing child pornography in his shared folder.
Ultimately, appellant did not know if another user downloaded any files containing child pornography from him:
MJ: Now, you don’t know, as you sit here, that someone actually downloaded those videos from your shared file; is that correct?
Acc: Roger, sir.
MJ: But you believe it’s possible—
Acc: Yes, sir.
MJ: —that they’re out there and they could have been downloaded?
Acc: Yes, sir.
MJ: And I guess the other way to put it is you don’t know that they weren’t downloaded from your shared file; is that correct?
Acc: Yes, sir.
Near the end of the providence inquiry, appellant reiterated that he knowingly distributed child pornography by allowing unknown persons access to contraband files from his shared folder.
As part of his pretrial agreement with the convening authority, appellant entered into a stipulation of fact. The stipulation of fact contained the following information pertinent to Specification 3 of The Charge:
A person interested in sharing child pornography with others in the P2P [peer-to-peer] network, need only place those files in his ‘shared’ folder. Those child pornography files are then available to all users of the P2P network for download regardless of their physical location. The accused accessed child pornography from others in the same way.
The accused made some of the images and videos depicting child pornography that he had downloaded from ‘Limewire’ available for other users to download by placing them in shared folders on both of his computers. At times, the accused left the ‘Limewire’ program on and available for others to access. The accused estimates that at one time he possessed between 20 (twenty) and 50 (fifty) videos and images that depicted children engaging in sexual acts with other children and adults. The accused knew this because he viewed, stored and categorized the images on his computer....
... A person that includes child pornography in his ‘shared’ folder is hosting child pornography and therefore is promoting, presenting, and distributing child pornography.
Finally, the stipulation of fact contained the following entry after listing the elements of Specification 3 of The Charge: “Definitions: Adopt 18 USC 2256[;] Distribution See U.S. v. Christy, 65 M.J. 657 re: Mens Rea.”
LAW AND DISCUSSION
The question before this court is one of first impression within our jurisdiction and provides us an opportunity to clarify Christy: whether an appellant who places and maintains electronic files containing child pornography in a shared folder accessible to others via a peer-to-peer file-sharing software program can be convicted of “distributing” child [733]*733pornography under § 2252A(a)(2) or clauses one or two of Article 134, UCMJ, where there is no evidence that a third party actually downloaded or obtained appellant’s contraband files. For the reasons that follow, we answer this question in the negative.
A. Standard of Review
We review a military judge’s decision to accept a guilty plea for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Weeks, 71 M.J. 44, 46 (C.A.A.F.2012) (citing United States v. Inabinette, 66 M.J. 320, 321 (C.A.A.F.2008)). A military judge can abuse his discretion if he accepts a guilty plea “without an adequate factual basis to support it” or if he accepts a guilty plea based upon “an erroneous view of the law.” Id. (citation omitted). Upon review, “a guilty plea will be rejected only where the record of trial shows a substantial basis in law and fact for questioning the plea.” United States v. Aleman, 62 M.J. 281, 283 (C.A.A.F.2006) (quoting United States v. Harris, 61 M.J. 391, 398 (C.A.A.F.2005)). “If an accused’s admissions in the plea inquiry do not establish each of the elements of the charged offense, the guilty plea must be set aside.” Weeks, 71 M.J. at 46 (citing United States v. Gosselin, 62 M.J. 349, 352-53 (C.A.A.F.2006)). In reviewing the providence of appellant’s plea, we consider the providence inquiry, the stipulation of fact, as well as the inferences that can be drawn from them. United States v. Carr, 65 M.J. 39, 41 (C.A.A.F.2007) (citing United States v. Hardeman, 59 M.J. 389, 391 (C.A.A.F.2004)).
B. Analytical Framework to Use in Defining “Distribution”
18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2) punishes:
Any person who knowingly ... distributes (A) any child pornography that has been mailed, or using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce shipped or transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer; or (B) any material that contains child pornography that has been mailed, or using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce shipped or transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by computer.
The federal statute criminalizing the distribution of child pornography does not define the term “distribute.” “In the absence of a statutory definition, we consider three sources: (1) the plain meaning of the term distribute; (2) the manner in which Article III courts have interpreted the term; and (3) guidance, if any, the UCMJ may provide through reference to parallel provisions of law.” Kuemmerle, 67 M.J. at 143.
First, in the context of a prosecution under § 2252A(a)(2), our superior court looked to Black’s Law Dictionary and Merriam-Webster in determining the plain meaning of the term distribute:
Black’s Law Dictionary defines ‘distribute’ as ‘1. To apportion; to divide among several. 2. To arrange by class or order. 3. To deliver. 4. To spread out; to disperse.’ [citation omitted and emphasis in original]. Merriam-Webster provides the following definition: ‘to divide among several or many: deal out ... to give out or deliver especially to the members of a group.’ [citation omitted].
Kuemmerle, 67 M.J. at 143-44. The court also identified that “[a]s an example in common usage, distribute means ‘to distribute magazines to subscribers.’ ” Id. at 144 (citation and internal punctuation marks omitted). Similarly, “distribute,” under the Model Federal Jury Instructions, means “to deliver or transfer possession of [something] to someone else, with or without any financial interest in the transaction.” Craig, 67 M.J. at 745 (citation omitted).
Second, our review of the decisions from Article III courts reveals that distribution convictions under § 2252 via file-sharing software culminate in another person actually downloading contraband files. For example, United States v. Budziak, 697 F.3d 1105 (9th Cir.2012), is illustrative. In Budziak, a jury convicted the defendant of distributing child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252(a)(2)(A) and 2252(b)(1). Id. at 1107. Undercover agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) downloaded illegal files via file-sharing software from an Internet Protocol (IP) address registered to the defendant. Id. The court held the following:
[734]*734Following the First, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits, we hold that the evidence is sufficient to support a conviction for distribution under 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2) when it shows that the defendant maintained child pornography in a shared folder, knew that doing so would allow others to download it, and another person actually downloaded it.
Id. at 1109 (citations omitted and emphasis added). A review of the relevant case-law indicates that an actual download of child pornography by a third-party directly from an accused completes a distribution offense under § 2252A. See, e.g., United States v. Shaffer, 472 F.3d 1219, 1224 (10th Cir.2007) (finding that defendant distributed child pornography, in part, because an undercover federal law enforcement official “had no trouble whatsoever picking and choosing for download images and videos from [defendant’s] child pornography collection.”). See also Kuemmerle, 67 M.J. at 144 (finding distribution of child pornography based upon two acts: “(1) the posting of the image, whereby the image left the possession of the original user, and (2) delivery of the image, whereby another user accessed and viewed the image.”); Christy, 65 M.J. at 663 (finding distribution of child pornography, in part, because appellant “had no doubt other Lime-Wire users had downloaded child pornography from his computer” and a FBI agent “ ‘actually downloaded’ a video file containing child pornography from his computer using LimeWire peer-to-peer file-sharing software.”).
Third, the interpretation of the term “distribute” under Article 112a, UCMJ, provides insight and guidance regarding how it should be interpreted under § 2252. In fact, the military judge defined distribution as delivery to the possession of another, which was drawn from the definition of distribution under Article 112a, UCMJ. In the context of wrongful distribution of a controlled substance, the term “distribution” connotes both an “offer” and a “delivery.” Kuemmerle, 67 M.J. at 144.
C. Application of the Analytical Framework Used to Define “Distribution”
After reviewing the plain meaning of the term “distribution,” the manner in which Article III courts have interpreted “distribution,” and the guidance provided by the interpretation of the term “distribution” under narcotic laws, we agree with the interpretation of the term “distribution” under § 2252 as provided by our sister court in Craig. We hold that distribution of child pornography files requires the files to have been transferred or delivered to the possession of another via peer-to-peer file-sharing software programs.
First, as identified and stressed in Kuem-merle, the plain meaning of the term “distribute” means “to deliver.” Here, there are no facts demonstrating that appellant transferred or delivered files containing child pornography to anybody.
Second, Article III courts such as Budziak and Shaffer cite to the fact that a law enforcement official successfully downloaded a contraband file from the defendant in upholding child pornography distribution convictions under § 2252. This supports the conclusion that distribution under § 2252 requires another person to have actually downloaded child pornography files from appellant’s shared folder. This conclusion is also consistent with the plain meaning of the term distribute because it requires a transfer or delivery of the material to the possession of another.
In its written submission before this court, the government cited many cases involving the definition of “distribution” for purposes of a sentence enhancement under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2G2.2(b) (2009). The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual defines “distribution” as follows:
‘Distribution’ means any act, including possession with intent to distribute, production, advertisement, and transportation, related to the transfer of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. Accordingly, distribution includes posting material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor on a website for public viewing but does not include the mere solicitation of such material by a defendant.
U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2G2.2, cmt. n. 1 (2009).
[735]*735However, this definition of “distribution” provides little insight to the statutory definition used in § 2252 because the Sentencing Guidelines define and interpret distribution more broadly than how it is interpreted under § 2252. United States v. Ramos, 695 F.3d 1035, 1044 (10th Cir.2012). Stated differently, the statutory term of distribution under § 2252 “has a distinct meaning and is not as broad as the same term” as used in U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2G2.2(b) (2009). Id. In fact, none of the cases cited by the government using this definition of “distribution” involved the distribution of child pornography under § 2252. See United States v. Bolton, 669 F.3d 780 (6th Cir.2012); United States v. Layton, 564 F.3d 330 (4th Cir.2009); United States v. Carani, 492 F.3d 867 (7th Cir.2007); United States v. Griffin, 482 F.3d 1008 (8th Cir.2007); United States v. McVey, 476 F.Supp.2d 560 (E.D.Va.2007). Thus, the definition of “distribution” used in § 2G2.2(b) of the United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual provides no assistance in ascertaining the definition of “distribution” for purposes of § 2252.
Third, the definition of the term “distribute” in the context of Article 112a, UCMJ, supports the conclusion that an actual download of a contraband file by another is required for a conviction under § 2252. In fact, military cases involving the distribution of controlled substances include the actual transfer or delivery of drugs into the possession of another. See, e.g., United States v. Speer, 40 M.J. 230, 232-33 (C.M.A.1994) (finding that appellant aided and abetted cocaine distribution based upon evidence of his conduct after the transfer of cocaine by a third party but prior to completion of the exchange of money); United States v. Ratleff, 34 M.J. 80, 82 (C.M.A.1992) (finding that appellant distributed marijuana when he passed it to a fellow soldier); United States v. Pritchett, 31 M.J. 213, 219 (C.M.A.1990) (finding that appellant aided and abetted marijuana distribution even though his wife actually delivered marijuana to another because appellant was present during the transactions and allowed them to occur in his home); United States v. Knudson, 14 M.J. 13, 15 (C.M.A.1982) (recognizing that an accused need not know in advance of the particular transfers or the parties to whom the transfers would be made to be found guilty of drug distribution); United States v. Figueroa, 28 M.J. 570, 572-73 (N.M.Ct.Crim.App.1989) (upholding the legal sufficiency of a conviction for cocaine distribution even though appellant did not personally deliver the cocaine because appellant was liable for the delivery of cocaine from one co-conspirator to another co-conspirator within the same conspiracy).
The military judge interpreted Christy to mean that simply making files available via peer-to-peer software constituted distribution. In other words, the military judge believed that delivery of the files to a third-party was not necessary for distribution to occur under § 2252A. Instead, distribution occurred in Christy precisely because an actual delivery to a third-party via peer-to-peer software occurred. Appellant’s case presents a different factual scenario than Christy. Simply put, if a third-party downloads child pornography files from another via peer-to-peer file-sharing software (as occurred in Christy), then an actual distribution occurred because material transferred to the possession of another. On the other hand, if a person merely makes child pornography available on a peer-to-peer network without any evidence that another actually downloaded a file (as occurred here), then distribution did not occur for purposes of § 2252A.
Moreover, our holding is consistent with Shaffer, Kuemmerle, and Christy. Again, Shaffer, Kuemmerle, and Christy all resulted in a law enforcement agent actually downloading and receiving an image or video containing child pornography. Craig, 67 M.J. at 745. All three eases involved an individual who shared files containing child pornography with a third-party law enforcement agent. In contrast, appellant here merely made contraband files available to third parties; however, making files available to a third party is not the same as distributing files to a third party. Distribution, in the context of § 2252, requires an accused to actually share and transfer files versus just simply making them available for others. See Craig, 67 M.J. at 746 (concluding that the [736]*736court lacks the “authority to include incomplete transfers of possession within the meaning of ‘distribute’ as it relates to child pornography”). In sum, we conclude there is a substantial basis in law and fact to question appellant’s guilty plea to distribution of child pornography because his actions in merely making files available for download via peer-to-peer file-sharing software programs cannot amount to distribution as a matter of law.
This is not to say that appellant’s actions are immune from criminal liability. To the contrary, appellant’s conduct could be potentially criminal under a number of different theories. For example, appellant’s conduct could potentially be criminal as an offer to distribute child pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(d)(1)(A) (2006). See United States v. Sewell, 513 F.3d 820, 822 (8th Cir.2008) (finding that in the context of a file-sharing program, placing a file containing child pornography in a shared folder with descriptive text in the title of the file “is clearly an offer to distribute the file.”). In addition, appellant’s conduct could also potentially be criminal as an advertisement or promotion of child pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(3) (2006).1 These other possibilities, which are part of the same statutory scheme as § 2252A and reflect Congressional intent to protect children from sexual exploitation, highlight that a broad definition of distribution under § 2252A is unnecessary, as other provisions within the same statutory scheme address and criminalize appellant’s conduct. See Craig, 67 M.J. at 745 (finding that there is no need “to impute a broader definition of the term ‘distribute’ than Congress or the federal courts have provided ... in part, because Congress has specifically provided statutory prohibitions against promoting or offering child pornography, and against its attempted distribution.”) (citations omitted).
Finally, appellant’s conduct in making child pornography files available for download via a peer-to-peer file-sharing program could be punishable as a clause one or clause two offense under Article 134, UCMJ. In fact, Specification 3 of The Charge alleged appellant’s conduct violated clause one or clause two of Article 134, UCMJ. However, the focus of the providence inquiry as it related to clauses one and two of Article 134, UCMJ, centered on the parties’ understanding that appellant’s conduct was prejudicial to good order and discipline or service-discrediting because it constituted distribution. Stated differently, the military judge never informed appellant that simply making child pornography files available for downloading on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network alone could be prejudicial to good order and discipline or service-discrediting separate and apart from the § 2252A offense.2 Thus, the [737]*737providence inquiry in this particular case was insufficient to sustain a conviction under clause one or clause two of Article 134, UCMJ, given its focus on the term distribution in the context of the § 2252A offense. See United States v. O’Connor, 58 M.J. 450, 455 (C.A.A.F.2003) (refusing to find appellant’s plea provident to the lesser-included offense of clause two, Article 134, UCMJ, because “[a]ppellant’s plea inquiry was focused on the question of whether or not his conduct violated the CPPA, not the question of whether or not, under the circumstances, his conduct was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.”).3
D. The Lesser-included Offense of Attempted Distribution
While we conclude that appellant did not distribute child pornography by simply making it available in his shared folder, we must next address whether he attempted to distribute child pornography as a lesser-included offense under Article 79, UCMJ. Article 79, UCMJ, provides, in pertinent part, that “[a]n accused may be found guilty of ... an attempt to commit ... the offense charged....”
In order to find a knowing and voluntary plea to attempted distribution of child pornography, the record of trial must reflect that the military judge explained the elements of the offense to the accused. United States v. Redlinski, 58 M.J. 117, 119 (C.A.A.F.2003). It is error for the military judge to fail to explain the elements of the offense with the accused, unless “it is clear from the entire record that the accused knew the elements, admitted them freely, and pleaded guilty because he was guilty.” United States v. Jones, 34 M.J. 270, 272 (C.M.A.1992). We look to the entire record in assessing whether an accused was aware of the elements of an offense, either explicitly or implicitly. Redlinski, 58 M.J. at 119 (citations omitted). Finally, “attempt is a more complex, inchoate offense that includes two specific elements designed to distinguish it from mere preparation.” Id. (citations omitted).
To be guilty of attempted distribution of child pornography, the record must establish the following four elements:
(1) That the accused did a certain overt act;
(2) That the act was done with the specific intent to commit a certain offense under the code;
(3) That the act amounted to more than mere preparation; and
(4) That the act apparently tended to effect the commission of the intended offense.
Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2008 ed.), pt. IV, ¶ 4.b.
In this case, no facts were elicited during the providence inquiry that appellant specifically intended to distribute child pornography by making his files available in his shared folder. In addition, nothing in the stipulation of fact indicates the requisite specific intent. Instead, the parties discussed how peer-to-peer file-sharing software worked and that appellant knew that others could potentially access files containing child pornography from his shared folder. However, there are no admissions on the record or in the stipulation of fact that demonstrate appellant specifically intended to distribute child pornography files. Absent such an admission, we cannot uphold a conviction for the lesser-included offense of attempted distribution. See Redlinski, 58 M.J. at 119 (concluding that appellant’s guilty plea to attempted distribution of marijuana was improvident because the record did not show either explicitly or inferentially that appellant understood and had sufficient knowledge of any of the four elements of attempted distribution); Craig, 67 M.J. at 746 (declining to find appellant provident to the lesser-[738]*738included offense of attempted distribution of child pornography because “there was neither an explanation by the military judge of the elements of attempt to distribute, nor an inquiry into the facts necessary to support that lesser included offense.”)- Therefore, we will set aside Specification 3 of The Charge in our decretal paragraph.
E. Sentence Reassessment
Our final task related to setting aside Specification 3 of The Charge is to determine what effect this has on appellant’s sentence. Here, we again agree with our sister court in Craig. “[T]he evidence that ... appellant was knowingly acting as a distribution node of child pornography within a larger file-sharing network would still have been correctly placed before the military judge as a matter in aggravation” under R.C.M. 1001(b)(4). Craig, 67 M.J. at 746. Consequently, the sentencing landscape would not change by setting aside Specification 3 of The Charge because the aggravating nature of appellant’s possession of child pornography would still be before the military judge. See United States v. Moffeit, 63 M.J. 40, 43 (C.A.A.F.2006) (Baker, J., concurring in the result). Simply put, the location where appellant possessed child pornography and the fact that these files were made available for others to download would be independently admissible in aggravation.
Moreover, appellant elected trial by military judge alone, and we are “more likely to be certain of what a military judge alone would have done than what a panel of members would have done.” Id. Finally, we have experience and familiarity with appellant’s remaining offenses and can reliably assess what sentence a military judge would have imposed absent Specification 3 of The Charge. Id. at 41 (recognizing that the Courts of Criminal Appeals have “reviewed the records of a substantial number of courts-martial involving convictions for child pornography activities ... and [have] extensive experience with the level of sentences imposed for such offenses under various circumstances.”). Therefore, we are confident that the military judge would have adjudged a sentence no less than that approved by the convening authority in this case. This is especially true because the convening authority reduced appellant’s period of confinement from thirty months to fifteen months in accordance with the terms of appellant’s pretrial agreement.
CONCLUSION
The finding of guilty of Specification 3 of The Charge is set aside. The remaining findings of guilty are affirmed. Reassessing the sentence on the basis of the errors noted, the entire record, and in accordance with the principles of United States v. Sales, 22 M.J. 305 (C.M.A.1986) and Moffeit, 63 M.J. 40, to include the factors identified by Judge Baker in his concurring opinion in Moffeit, the court affirms the sentence as approved by the convening authority.
Senior Judge KERN, Senior Judge YOB, Judge ALDYKIEWICZ, Judge KRAUSS, and Judge MARTIN concur.