Final answer:
Nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ is a disciplinary process for minor military offenses, not involving a full trial by court-martial.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is best described by option B) It is a disciplinary process for minor offenses within the military. This form of punishment is typically used to maintain discipline without resorting to the more severe procedures of a court-martial. Nonjudicial punishment allows commanders to efficiently handle minor breaches of military law without the need for a full trial, which would be costly and time-consuming.
It is not correct to state that it involves a full trial by court-martial (option A) or that it results in a dishonorable discharge (option D). Additionally, Article 15 procedures are not exclusive to officers; they can also be applied to enlisted personnel (option C).