Airmen receive Article 15 punishments Published March 5, 2013 28th Bomb Wing Legal Office ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Several Ellsworth Airmen recently received Article 15 nonjudicial punishments for their actions. A senior airman from the 28th Communications Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of willful dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of a reprimand, 21 days extra duty (14 of which were suspended) and suspended forfeiture of $250 pay. A senior airman from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of failure to go and one specification of AWOL three days or less. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th CES received an Article 15 for two specifications of assault consummated by a battery and one specification of drunk/disorderly conduct on station. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, a reprimand and suspended forfeiture of $758 pay per month for two months. A senior airman from the 28th Force Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL less than three days. Punishment consisted of forfeiture of $250 pay per month for two months, a reprimand and suspended reduction to airman first class. A senior airman from the 28th Munitions Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL less than three days, two specifications of making a false statement and one specification of drunkenness - incapacitation for performance of duties. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, a reprimand and forfeiture of $758 pay per month for two months, of which $379 pay per month for two months was suspended. An airman first class from the 28th Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL less than three days and one specification of making a false official statement. Punishment consisted of a suspended reduction to airman, a reprimand and suspended forfeiture of $500 pay. A senior airman from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of willful dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of a reprimand, forfeiture of $500 pay per month for two months, of which $500 pay for one month was suspended, and suspended reduction to airman first class. An airman first class from the 28th Operations Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of assault consummated by a battery. Punishment consisted of 45 days restriction to base, a reprimand, suspended reduction to airman and suspended forfeiture of $500 pay. An airman first class from the 28th OSS received an Article 15 for one specification of assault consummated by a battery and one specification of simple assault. Punishment consisted of 45 days restriction to base, a reprimand, suspended reduction to airman and suspended forfeiture of $500 pay. A staff sergeant from the 28th OSS received an Article 15 for four violations of Article 134 - use of inappropriate language in a way that was prejudicial to good order and discipline, to include inappropriate language toward subordinates. Punishment consisted of a reprimand, suspended reduction to senior airman and suspended forfeiture of $500 pay per month for two months. 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 service members 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. The rules and procedures for NJP administration are governed by Air Force Instruction 51-202, "Nonjudicial Punishment."