What is the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 15?
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 15 is the basis of military law in Texas and throughout the United States. This article outlines the powers of commanding officers to administer non-judicial punishment to members of the Armed Forces who have violated the UCMJ. Non-judicial punishment, or NJP, is the process by which a commanding officer may impose disciplinary action on a subordinating service member, without referral for trial by a court-martial. This type of disciplinary action would include reprimands, forfeiture of pay, extra drills and other forms of corrective measures. NJP is the most common form of military justice, and is typically utilized in cases where the service member is accused of minor misconduct such as being late or failing to properly complete an assignment. This form of punishment is seen as essential to maintain order and discipline in the ranks. Punishment may be imposed regardless of a service member’s rank, although a higher-ranking member of the military has certain additional rights such as the right to challenge the punishment or seek a review of the decision. Besides covering NJP, Article 15 also outlines the basic procedural rights of all service members accused of a crime such as the right not to incriminate themselves and the right to counsel. Article 15 also covers the appeal process for members who wish to challenge a finding of guilt and the punishment that is imposed. Finally, Article 15 also specifies which offenses are subject to NJP and which ought to be referred to a court-martial.
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