What is NJP, or non-judicial punishment?

Non-judicial punishment (NJP) is a form of military law found in the state of West Virginia. It is a procedure used to resolve allegations of minor offenses without a court-martial. It is also known as article 15 proceedings. Under NJP, the commanding officer in charge of a service member can decide if the service member has committed a minor offense. If the commanding officer decides the service member is guilty, then the commander can impose disciplinary or corrective action. This could include a reduction in rank; reduction in pay; extra duty; restriction on certain privileges; and other disciplinary measures. NJP does not result in a criminal record or dishonorable discharge, and therefore it is not considered a criminal sanction. NJP is often used to address a minor offense in order to maintain good order and discipline in the unit. In West Virginia, NJP is governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This is a federal statute that applies to all branches of the United States Armed Forces. The UCMJ provides the process for taking disciplinary action against service members. The process is found in Article 15 of the UCMJ and includes an investigation, accusations, hearing, and the decision by the commanding officer. NJP is an important part of the military justice system in West Virginia and is an effective way to maintain good order and discipline without going to court-martial.

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What is NJP, or non-judicial punishment?

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