Which article in the UCMJ allows the imposition of punishment without a court martial?

The correct choice refers to Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which allows commanding officers to impose non-judicial punishment for minor offenses without the need for a court-martial. This provision enables commanders to handle disciplinary issues efficiently and effectively, ensuring discipline and good order within their units while also providing service members an opportunity to accept responsibility for their actions without the potential consequences of a court-martial.

Article 15 provides several options for punishment, which may include reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties, or restriction to specific areas. This allows for a more flexible disciplinary approach than the formal court-martial process, which is typically reserved for more serious offenses and involves a more rigorous legal process.

The other articles mentioned serve different purposes within the UCMJ. Article 13 pertains to the treatment of detained service members, Article 31 outlines the rights related to self-incrimination during interrogation, and Article 34 deals with the procedures for forward movement of charges, each addressing different legal matters and not providing for non-judicial punishment as Article 15 does.