Which personnel are authorized to administer punishment under Article 15?

The correct choice indicates that a commissioned officer or a warrant officer is authorized to administer punishment under Article 15. This reflects the military's structure and the levels of authority assigned to different ranks. Commissioned officers, who hold the highest ranks within the officer corps, and warrant officers, who are technical experts, are granted the authority to impose non-judicial punishment to maintain discipline and good order within their commands.

By having this authority, commissioned and warrant officers can address minor offenses quickly and efficiently, allowing for prompt corrective action while avoiding lengthy judicial processes. This system is designed to uphold standards and ensure that service members can be disciplined in a way that is fair and consistent with military regulations.

The other choices feature personnel who do not have the same level of authority. For example, a chief petty officer, while respected and holding leadership roles, does not have the same command authority as commissioned or warrant officers concerning administering punishment. Judge advocates, while knowledgeable about military law and legal matters, are not the ones who typically administer non-judicial punishment under Article 15. Enlisted members lack the authority to impose such punishment, which is reserved for officers who are responsible for the leadership and discipline within their units.