To whom may punishment under Article 15 be made public?

Punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) may be made public only after the appeal process is complete. This is primarily to ensure that the rights of the service member are protected and that they have the opportunity to contest the punishment before it is disclosed widely.

When a service member receives nonjudicial punishment, the privacy of the proceedings is maintained until the accused has had the chance to appeal. This aspect is critical, as premature disclosure could affect the member's reputation and standing within their unit or broader military community before they have had a fair opportunity to challenge the punishment.

Making the punishment public after the appeal safeguards the integrity of the process and respects the service member's rights, allowing for a more just approach to discipline within the military.