Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a non-judicial punishment (NJP) process that allows military commanders to discipline service members for minor violations without resorting to a court-martial. It is commonly referred to as a "Captain’s Mast" in the Navy and Marines, "Office Hours" in the Air Force, and simply an "Article 15" in the Army.

Types of Article 15

There are three types, determined by the rank of the imposing commander and the severity of the offense:

• Summarized Article 15: Administered by any company-grade commander (e.g., captain or first lieutenant). Maximum punishment includes extra duty for up to 14 days, restriction for up to 14 days, or an oral reprimand. The service member has no right to consult a defense attorney before deciding whether to accept it.

• Company Grade Article 15: Also administered by company-grade commanders. Maximum punishments include:

  • Extra duty (up to 14 days),

  • Restriction (up to 14 days),

  • Oral or written reprimand,

  • Fine of up to seven days’ base pay,

  • Reduction in rank by one grade (for E-4 and below).

• Field Grade Article 15: Administered by a commander at the rank of major or above. Maximum punishments include:

  • Correctional custody for up to 30 days,

  • Fine of up to 15 days’ pay per month for two months,

  • Extra duties for up to 45 consecutive days,

  • Restrictions (with or without suspension from duty) for up to 60 days,

  • Oral or written reprimand,

  • Reduction in rank (up to two pay grades for enlisted, depending on rank and command level).

Key Rights and Considerations

• Accepting an Article 15 is not an admission of guilt—it is a decision to allow the commander to determine guilt and impose punishment.

• Service members have the right to refuse an Article 15 and demand a court-martial trial, though this is rare and may result in more severe consequences.

• Consulting a defense attorney (e.g., Trial Defense Service) is required before accepting a company or field grade Article 15 and is strongly advised in all cases.

• Suspended punishment may be granted for up to six months; if misconduct occurs during this period, the original punishment can be enforced without appeal.

• Appeals to the next higher commander are possible within five days, based on insufficient evidence, excessive punishment, or procedural errors.

Career Impact

• For E-4 and below, Article 15 records are typically destroyed two years after imposition, unless the service member is discharged earlier.

• For E-5 and above, the finding may be filed in the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), potentially affecting promotions, assignments, and retention.

Note: Article 15 is intended for minor infractions such as being late to formation, minor drug use, or minor misconduct. Serious crimes (e.g., sexual assault, drug distribution, or AWOL over 30 days) are handled via court-martial.