Airmen receive Article 15 punishments Published Oct. 24, 2012 28th Bomb Wing Legal Office ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Several Ellsworth Airmen recently received Article 15 nonjudicial punishments for their actions. A staff sergeant from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of falsifying a document. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to senior airman and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of making a false official statement. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, 15 days extra duty and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification being late to work without authority. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class, 30 days restriction to base and a reprimand. A staff sergeant from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of battery. Punishment consisted of reduction to senior airman and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Comptroller Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL, late to duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman and seven days extra duty and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongful use of marijuana. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, a suspended reduction to airman basic, 14 days restriction and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Munitions Squadron received two Article 15s for multiple specifications, including: AWOL three days or less, failure to go, making a false official statement and misbehavior of a sentinel. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman basic, 45 days extra duty and a reprimand. Also, he received an additional 15 days of extra duty and another reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Operations Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of assault consummated by a battery and one specification of wrongful sexual contact. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, suspended reduction to airman basic, suspended forfeiture of $600 pay per month for two months and a reprimand. A staff sergeant from the 28th Security Forces Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of making a false official statement and one specification of sleeping while on duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to senior airman, suspended forfeiture of $284 pay per month for two months, 15 days extra duty and a reprimand. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 15 provides commanders the authority to impose nonjudicial punishment. Nonjudicial punishment 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.