Legal Definitions - Article 15

Article 15 is a type of nonjudicial punishment used in military law. It is a procedure where a commanding officer can punish a minor offender who has violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

For example, if a soldier is caught breaking a minor rule, such as being late for duty, their commanding officer may choose to give them Article 15 punishment instead of taking them to court-martial. This punishment can include things like extra duty, loss of pay, or even confinement.

Nonjudicial punishment is not the same as a court-martial, which is a more serious legal proceeding. Article 15 is a way for the military to handle minor offenses quickly and efficiently.