> A frequently asked question by recruits seeking to join the military is, "What Is an Article 15?"
Answer: If a military member gets into trouble for a minor offense and it does not require a judicial hearing, Article 15 of the (UCMJ) allows for the commanding officer to decide the innocence or guilt and administer the punishment to the offender if necessary. Also known as Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP), the Article 15 hearing allows for the immediate chain of command of the UCMJ offender to handle "in house" the lesser offenses that do not require a trial or break other local or federal …