Which article of the UCMJ allows a commanding officer to impose punishment for minor offenses without court-martial?

The article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) that allows a commanding officer to impose punishment for minor offenses without the need for a court-martial is Article 15. This provision is often referred to as non-judicial punishment (NJP) and is intended to provide a means for commanding officers to handle minor misconduct in an efficient and effective manner. Under Article 15, a commander can administer disciplinary actions such as reduction in rank, extra duties, or restriction to certain areas, depending on the severity of the offense.

The rationale behind Article 15 is to maintain good order and discipline within the unit while allowing for corrective actions without the lengthy procedures and formalities associated with a court-martial, which is typically reserved for more serious offenses. This approach not only saves time and resources but also aims to facilitate rehabilitation and correction of minor infractions at the lower levels of command.

In contrast, the other articles mentioned pertain to different aspects of military law: Article 7 discusses apprehension, Article 32 outlines procedures for preliminary hearings in court-martial cases, and Article 87 addresses missing movement and its consequences. Each of these plays a distinct role in the UCMJ framework but does not deal with