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February justice files

  • Published
  • 379 AEW/JA
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  Nonjudicial punishment (NJP) under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) enables commanders to maintain good order and discipline in a fair and swift process without the negative implications for an Airman of 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. An NJP offer is a "forum" choice; the Airman offered NJP must decide whether he or she wants to let his or her commander act as "judge and jury" instead of facing a court-martial. By accepting the offered NJP, an Airman is not admitting guilt to the offense or offenses 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 that a commander may issue include reduction in grade, forfeiture of pay, extra duty, restriction, and a reprimand. The commander may also decide to impose "suspended" punishments, which can be "vacated" if the Airman is involved in subsequent misconduct within the specified suspension period after the Article 15. Commanders can "vacate" a "suspended" punishment and also offer a new Article 15 for the same additional misconduct.

In January 2014, the following Airmen received NJP at Al Udeid Air Base:

1. A 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron Master Sergeant was offered NJP for two violations of Article 107, false official statement, two violations of Article 128, assault and two violations of Article 134, unlawful entry and use of indecent language. The Master Sergeant was found guilty of both violations of Article 128, and one violation of Article 134, use of indecent language and received punishment of a suspended reduction to the grade of Technical Sergeant, forfeiture of $1,817.00 pay per month for 2 months, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand.


For information on NJP, refer to AFI 51-202, Nojudicial Punishment, and Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial.