Final answer:
The maximum punishment imposed under an Article 15 for enlisted members can be determined by either a company grade or a field grade officer, with field grade officers having the authority to impose more severe penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two officer categories that determine the maximum punishment imposed under an Article 15 for enlisted members are company grade and field grade officers. In the context of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), a company grade officer (O-1 to O-3) can impose certain restrictions and punishments, such as extra duties, restriction to certain areas, or loss of pay. A field grade officer (O-4 to O-6), however, can impose more severe penalties due to their higher rank and authority.
Under an Article 15, punishments are less severe than those that could be imposed by a court-martial, but they can still significantly impact a service member's military career and personal life. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (Section 8 Clause 14) provides the legal framework for such non-judicial punishments within the United States Armed Forces.