What does non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ address?

Non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) specifically addresses minor offenses committed by military personnel. This provision allows commanding officers to handle disciplinary issues without resorting to a formal court-martial, thereby providing a more streamlined and efficient means of addressing less serious misconduct.

The essence of Article 15 is to maintain good order and discipline within the ranks while still protecting the rights of service members. It covers various offenses that do not warrant the more severe measures involved in a court-martial, thus ensuring that minor infractions can be dealt with appropriately and swiftly.

In contrast, major criminal offenses would typically require more formal proceedings and could lead to court-martial, which is a much more serious judicial action. Results stemming from a court-martial are entirely separate from non-judicial punishment, as they involve formal trials and can lead to more severe consequences. Service-connected injuries do not fall under disciplinary actions and are instead related to the health and well-being of service members rather than misconduct.