People in the military are bound by certain standards, laws and procedures that aren’t present in the civilian world. One of these is non-judicial punishment, which is often referred to as an Article 15. This is a disciplinary process that is found in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which allows commanders to address specific cases of misconduct without having to refer the matter to a court-martial.
Even though an Article 15 isn’t a criminal conviction, it can have a significant impact on the servicemember’s career and future.
What can be handled with an Article 15?
Article 15 proceedings are used to handle minor offenses. The servicemember is informed of the misconduct they’re being accused of, and evidence is provided. At that point, the military member has to determine if they are willing to go through the Article 15 or if they want to push the matter to a trial by court-martial. There are some exceptions to that possibility. For example, court martials might not be possible on deployments or ships, so eligible matters might be automatically handled through an Article 15.
If an Article 15 moves forward, the evidence and servicemember’s statements are considered. The commander will determine if the offense occurred, as well as what punishment will happen if the determination is affirmative.
What are the possible consequences of an Article 15?
Penalties that are common for an Article 15 include formal reprimands, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties or being placed on restriction. In the immediate term, these can lead to a reduction in earnings and may influence future performance evaluations. It may impact security clearance evaluations, reenlistment options, and special training eligibility. It may also have a negative impact on the type of discharge the person receives.
Because the potential consequences are significant, it’s critical for members of the military to fully understand this process. Seeking assistance from someone familiar with these matters is beneficial.