What is a non-judicial punishment (NJP)?

A non-judicial punishment (NJP) is a form of military discipline actions for minor offenses, which can be taken against military personnel by commanding officers. In California, non-judicial punishments are regulated by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Under the UCMJ, commanding officers may impose various forms of non-judicial punishment, such as punitive letters, reprimands, administrative reductions in rank, confiscation of pay, extra duties, and restriction to specified limits. Commanding officers are encouraged to use non-judicial punishments in lieu of court-martial proceedings in order to quickly resolve minor offenses and to maintain good order and discipline in the military. Non-judicial punishments are not considered criminal convictions. However, they can appear on military records and can have negative professional and personal implications. For example, a service member who receives an NJP may have their promotion and pay opportunities reduced or their career negatively impacted. In California, commanding officers must comply with certain procedures and requirements when imposing non-judicial punishments, such as providing the service member with due process rights, including the right to legal representation and the right to appeal the punishment. Defense attorneys can provide assistance and advice to service members who are facing non-judicial punishments.

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What is a non-judicial punishment (NJP)?

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