May 2012 Article 15s Published June 5, 2012 28th Bomb Wing Legal Office ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Several Ellsworth Airmen recently received Article 15s for their actions. An airman first class from the Air Force Financial Services Center received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongful use of marijuana. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, suspended reduction to airman basic, suspended 14 days of extra duty, 21 days restriction to the limits of Ellsworth Air Force Base, suspended forfeiture of $500 pay for one month and a reprimand. He was also discharged. An airman first class from the AFFSC received an Article 15 for one specification of use/possession of spice and one specification of bringing discredit to the service. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, suspended reduction to airman basic, suspended 14 days of extra duty, suspended forfeiture of $500 pay for two months and a reprimand. He was also discharged. An airman from the AFFSC received an Article 15 for one specification of disobeying a lawful command not to leave the confines of Ellsworth Air Force Base. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, 28 days restriction to the limits of Ellsworth Air Force Base, suspended 14 days restriction to the limits of Ellsworth Air Force Base, suspended forfeiture of $100 pay for two months and a reprimand. A technical sergeant assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of larceny and one specification of bringing discredit to the service. Punishment consisted of reduction to staff sergeant, 30 days extra duty, forfeiture of $750 pay for two months and a reprimand. A technical sergeant from the 28th Contracting Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of drunken driving. Punishment consisted of reduction to staff sergeant, forfeiture of $1,000 pay for one month and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of drunk driving. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic. An airman first class from the 28th CES received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongful use of marijuana. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic and a reprimand. He was also discharged. A senior airman from the 28th CES received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty and providing alcohol to a minor. Punishment consisted of seven days of extra duty and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of drunken driving. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class, 14 days extra duty, 30 days restriction to the limits of Ellsworth Air Force Base and a reprimand. A technical sergeant from the 28th Maintenance Group received an Article 15 for one specification of drunken driving. Punishment consisted of reduction to staff sergeant, suspended forfeiture of $300 pay for two months and a reprimand. A master sergeant from the 28th Maintenance Squadron received and Article 15 for one specification of creating a hostile work environment. Punishment consisted of a suspended reduction to technical sergeant and a reprimand. An officer from the 28th Medical Operations Squadron received an Article 15 for two specifications of assault consummated by a battery and two specifications of fraternization. Punishment consisted of forfeiture of $2,515 pay for two months and a reprimand. A senior airman from the 28th Operations Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of disobeying an NCO and one specification of provoking speech or gesture. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class, suspended reduction to airman, 45 days extra duty, forfeiture of $835 pay for two months and a reprimand. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 15 provides commanders the authority to impose nonjudicial punishment. Nonjudicial punishment offers commanders with many options and tools with which 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.