What is NJP, or non-judicial punishment?

Non-judicial punishment, commonly referred to as NJP, is a form of military discipline that is taken in place of a court-martial. NJP is typically used for minor offenses, and it is an administrative action taken by the commanding officer of a service member. In Washington, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) grants the commanding officer the ability to administer non-judicial punishment under Article 15. The purpose of NJP is to provide swift corrective action with the goal of improving a service member’s behavior, rather than solely punishing them. NJP allows for a certain level of flexibility and in Washington, an offender’s rights are laid out before the process begins. The commanding officer is able to choose between reprimands, restriction, extra duties, forfeiture of pay, or correctional custody. In Washington, the decision to move forward with NJP rests solely with the commanding officer. If they believe the evidence is sufficient and the punishment is appropriate, the service member can have NJP imposed. The punishment can be appealed, but the appeal process is handled within the unit. The service member has the ability to request an open or closed hearing and to call witnesses on their behalf, but the commanding officer has the final say on the outcome and cannot be overruled.

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What is NJP, or non-judicial punishment?

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