What is an Article 15, UCMJ?

• A. A type of non-judicial punishment used for minor offenses imposed upon military members
• B. A formal court-martial proceeding for major offenses
• C. A civilian legal process
• D. An administrative warning by a commanding officer

Answer: (A)

An Article 15 is a form of non-judicial punishment under the UCMJ that a commander uses to discipline a service member for minor offenses without resorting to a court-martial. The idea is to correct behavior quickly while maintaining good order and discipline on the unit.

Penalties under Article 15 can include things like extra duties, restriction to base, reduction in rank, and forfeiture of pay for a period. There are two flavors of this process: a quicker, informal summarized Article 15 and a more formal Article 15 with more procedural protections. The member being punished has the option to consult with counsel and, if they disagree with the punishment, to demand trial by court-martial.

This is distinguished from a civilian legal process and from a formal court-martial; it’s specifically a military disciplinary tool for less serious offenses.