Who has the authority to impose non-judicial punishment?

The authority to impose non-judicial punishment lies with commanders within the military hierarchy. This process, often known as Article 15 under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), allows a commanding officer to administer punishment for minor offenses without resorting to a formal court-martial. Commanders utilize this authority to maintain discipline and enforce military standards effectively and swiftly.

The rationale behind conferring this power to commanders is based on their direct oversight of personnel and operations, thus ensuring that they can address issues that arise in a timely manner. This authority allows commanders to handle misconduct within their units while also providing service members an opportunity for accountability without the harsher consequences associated with formal judicial proceedings.