What is the maximum punishment that company commanders may impose?

The correct choice relates to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the authority given to company commanders regarding non-judicial punishment, specifically under Article 15. Company commanders have the ability to impose a range of punishments for minor offenses, which ensures that discipline is maintained within the unit without resorting to court-martial.

The specified punishments that a company commander can impose include 14 days of extra duty, 14 days of restriction, 7 days of correctional custody, 7 days forfeiture of pay, and a reduction in grade of one rank. This comprehensive set of disciplinary measures allows commanders to address a variety of infractions effectively while also providing flexibility in terms of the severity of the punishment as deemed appropriate based on the offense.

The other choices reflect either incomplete or incorrect interpretations of the allowable punishments. For instance, some options either limit the type of punishment that can be imposed or include terms that do not align with the authority given to company commanders in the military justice system. This thorough range of punishments, as outlined in the selected answer, ensures that leaders have the tools necessary to maintain order and discipline while also adhering to the regulations set forth by the military.