DAFI51-202 — Nonjudicial Punishment

DAFI51-202 governs nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ for specified Department of the Air Force components.

Search DAFI51-202

  • Publication number: DAFI51-202
  • Title: NONJUDICIAL PUNISHMENT
  • Date: 2026-08-26

View DAFI51-202 on armypubs.army.mil


It covers commander authority, jurisdiction, limitations, and procedures for initiating and imposing nonjudicial punishment. It also addresses waiver authorities, criminal indexing requirements, protected information, and records generated by prescribed processes.

Applies to: This publication applies to the Regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard (ANG) (when in federal service under Title 10 United States Code (U.S.C.)), and the United States Space Force (USSF).

Topics covered

  • commander authority to impose nonjudicial punishment
  • limitations on commander authority
  • joint-force procedures
  • jurisdiction over Air Force personnel
  • Office of Special Trial Counsel
  • criminal indexing requirements

Questions and answers

Which UCMJ article and MCM part does DAFI51-202 address?

Specifically, this instruction addresses Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM).

Can commanders waive non-tiered compliance items in DAFI51-202?

Commanders may not waive non-tiered compliance items in this instruction.

How must records generated by processes in DAFI51-202 be handled?

Ensure all records generated as a result of processes prescribed in this publication adhere to Air Force Instruction (AFI) 33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program, and are disposed in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule (RDS), which is located in the Air Force Records Information Management System.

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