Airmen receive Article 15 punishments Published Aug. 20, 2015 28th Bomb Wing Legal Office ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- During the month of July, several Ellsworth Airmen received Article 15 nonjudicial punishments for their actions. A staff sergeant from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for two specifications of destruction of government property, and for one specification of throwing an Airman into a chair. Punishment consisted of reduction to senior airman, suspended forfeiture of $1,175 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th Munitions Squadron received an Article 15 for two specifications of AWOL. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, forfeiture of $300 pay, seven days extra duty, and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL. Punishment consisted of suspended forfeiture of $1,119 pay, seven days extra duty, and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of drunken operation of a vehicle. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class. A senior airman from the 28th Force Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of larceny, and for one specification of wrongful appropriation. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class with reduction to airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay per month for two months, 45 days restricted to base, 20 days extra duty, and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th Operations Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongfully using discriminatory words and phrases in the workspace. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, forfeiture of $235 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongfully wearing an unauthorized insignia. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, suspended forfeiture of $867 pay per month for one month, and 14 days extra duty. An airman first class from the 28th Medical Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of failure to go to an appointment, and for one specification of using unprofessional language in the presence of a patient. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman, 30 days restricted to base, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of drunken operation of a vehicle. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, forfeiture of $200 pay per month for two months, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Security Forces Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL, and for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman, 30 days restricted to base, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th FSS received an Article 15 for one specification of violating a no-contact order. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman basic, and a reprimand. An airman from the 28th Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of negligently failing to maintain his dormitory room in accordance with standards, and for one specification of negligently failing to refrain from consuming alcohol while under the legal drinking age in South Dakota. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman basic, 15 days extra duty, and a reprimand. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 15 provides commanders the authority to impose nonjudicial punishment. NJP provides commanders with an essential and prompt means to maintain good order, morale and discipline. It also promotes positive behavior changes in servicemembers without the stigma of a court-martial conviction. NJP is considered when other nonpunitive disciplinary measures - such as counseling, letters of reprimand, and administrative withholding of privileges - are not effective. By imposing NJP fairly, swiftly and efficiently, the commander promotes good order and discipline within the unit. As a rehabilitative tool, portions of an NJP can be suspended, and will not take effect unless the member engages in further misconduct. The rules and procedures for NJP administration are governed by Air Force Instruction 51-202, "Nonjudicial Punishment."