What is article 15 army?

Article 15 in the United States Army refers to non-judicial punishment (NJP) under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). It allows commanding officers to discipline and correct minor offenses committed by military personnel without a court-martial.

Non-judicial punishment can include a variety of penalties, such as reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duty, restriction to base, or a combination of these. The purpose of NJP is to maintain discipline and order within the ranks and to address misconduct before it escalates to more serious offenses.

Article 15 proceedings are informal and typically involve a hearing where the accused can present their side of the story and evidence in their defense. The commanding officer then determines the appropriate punishment based on the evidence presented.

It is important to note that military personnel have the right to refuse NJP and request a court-martial instead, where they are entitled to legal representation and a more formal legal process.

Overall, Article 15 in the Army provides a means for commanders to address disciplinary issues in a swift and effective manner while still affording due process rights to the accused.