What is a non-judicial punishment (NJP)?

Non-judicial punishment (NJP) is a type of military law in Tennessee that gives a commander the authority to take disciplinary action without having to go through the formal court martial process. NJP is also referred to as Article 15 in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). NJP is used for minor offenses and the punishment is limited to a maximum of 30 days of restriction, either extra duties or a combination of both restriction and extra duties. Depending on the circumstances, a commander may also reduce a service member’s rank or impose a fine. The punishments should be proportional to the offense and not overly harsh. When a service member commits an offense that may warrant NJP, the military requires certain steps to ensure that the service member is provided with appropriate legal representation. This includes the right to a hearing before the commander, the right to be informed of the charges, the right to present evidence, and the right to an explanation of the decision. In Tennessee, the law requires that when imposing NJP, a commander must consider the nature and seriousness of the offense, the extent to which punishment may be necessary to promote discipline, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances that might exist.

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What is a non-judicial punishment (NJP)?

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