Who may administer a field grade article-15?

• A. Captain and above
• B. Lieutenant Colonel and above
• C. Major and above
• D. Brigadier General and above

Answer: (C)

Field-grade Article 15s are nonjudicial punishments carried out by field-grade officers. The term “field grade” begins at the rank of Major (O-4). So the lowest rank that may administer a field-grade Article 15 is Major, and officers of higher rank (Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, etc.) also have this authority. A Captain (a company-grade officer) is not eligible to impose a field-grade Article 15, which is why the correct understanding is that Major and above may administer it.