Which article governs basic procedures for non-judicial punishment?

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

Answer: (B)

Nonjudicial punishment is a quick, informal means for a commander to discipline a service member for minor offenses without a court-martial. The article that lays out how this process works is Article 15 of the UCMJ. It defines what punishments can be imposed, such as extra duties, restriction, forfeiture of pay, or reduction in rank, and it also spells out the process and the service member’s rights—like the right to consult with counsel, the right to present matters in defense, and the option to demand trial by court-martial if they prefer. This article is specifically about how nonjudicial punishment is administered and the protections for the accused.

For context, other articles cover different topics: one concerns a preliminary inquiry to decide whether a case should go to court-martial; another is a general catch-all for offenses not covered by specific articles; and another addresses disrespect toward a superior officer. Those are not the procedures for nonjudicial punishment, so Article 15 is the correct reference.