The Justice Files: Nonjudicial Punishment for April 2013 Published May 3, 2013 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Legal Office SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice enables commanders to maintain good order and discipline in a fair and swift process without the negative implications for an Airman that are carried with a court-martial conviction. An Airman who is offered NJP has the right to either accept the offer of NJP or to demand a trial by court-martial. By accepting NJP, an Airman is not admitting guilt to the offense(s) for which the Airman has been offered NJP; rather, the Airman is electing to allow the commander to decide whether the Airman is guilty and, if so, what the Airman's punishment should be. Potential punishments a commander may issue include reduction in grade, forfeiture of pay, extra duty, restriction and a reprimand. In April 2013, the following Airmen received NJP here: 1. An 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron airman first class was offered NJP for violation of Article 80, attempted violation of AUABI 34-219 by attempting to consume more than the three drinks permitted in an 18-hour period, in violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ. The Airman was found guilty and received punishment of a suspended reduction to airman, suspended forfeiture of pay and a reprimand. 2. A 577th Expeditionary PRIME BEEF Squadron airman first class was offered NJP for violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty, for leaving his issued pistol unattended and for failing to remove an M4 magazine from his bags before processing through customs. The Airman was found guilty and received punishment of a reduction to airman and a reprimand. For more information on NJP, refer to AFI 51-202, Nonjudicial Punishment, and Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial.