Which article in the UCMJ covers nonjudicial punishment?

Which article in the UCMJ covers nonjudicial punishment?

• A. Article 15
• B. Article 32
• C. Article 91
• D. Article 134

Answer: (A)

Nonjudicial punishment is the authority in the UCMJ that lets a commander address minor misconduct without a court-martial, and that authority is found in Article fifteen. It allows a commander to impose limited penalties—such as reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties, or a reprimand—based on a finding that the member committed the offense by a preponderance of the evidence. The service member does have rights, including the option to consult with counsel and to demand trial by court-martial instead of accepting NJP. If NJP is accepted, the punishment is imposed; if not, the matter proceeds to a court-martial. The other provisions cover different paths, such as preliminary investigations for court-martial and offenses addressed under other specific articles, but nonjudicial punishment itself is the authority provided by Article fifteen.

Nonjudicial punishment is the authority in the UCMJ that lets a commander address minor misconduct without a court-martial, and that authority is found in Article fifteen. It allows a commander to impose limited penalties—such as reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties, or a reprimand—based on a finding that the member committed the offense by a preponderance of the evidence. The service member does have rights, including the option to consult with counsel and to demand trial by court-martial instead of accepting NJP. If NJP is accepted, the punishment is imposed; if not, the matter proceeds to a court-martial. The other provisions cover different paths, such as preliminary investigations for court-martial and offenses addressed under other specific articles, but nonjudicial punishment itself is the authority provided by Article fifteen.