ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – From January through June, 2016, several Ellsworth Airmen received Article 15 nonjudicial punishments for their actions.
An airman first class from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman, forfeiture of $200 pay, and 15 days extra duty with 5 of those days suspended. Suspension was later vacated.
An airman first class from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for two specifications of willfully damaging military property. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic and forfeiture of $783 pay.
A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of AWOL, and for one specification of making an official statement with the intent to deceive a superior. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, forfeiture of $200 pay, and 10 days extra duty.
A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class, suspended forfeiture of $1041 pay, and a reprimand. Suspension was later vacated.
A senior airman from the 28th AMXS received an Article 15 for one specification of reckless driving. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class.
A senior airman from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of failing to go to their appointed place of duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand. Suspension was later vacated.
A senior airman from the 28th CES received an Article 15 for one specification of making a false official statement with the intent to deceive a superior, one specification of being AWOL, and one specification of failing to go. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class and a reprimand. Suspension was later vacated.
A staff sergeant from the 28th Communications Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of driving under the influence. Punishment consisted of reduction to senior airman and a reprimand.
An airman from the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongfully using marijuana. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, forfeiture of $250 per month for two months, 14 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
An airman first class from the 28th LRS received an Article 15 for one specification of being AWOL, and for one specification of use of disrespectful language towards a noncommissioned officer. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, with reduction below airman suspended, 14 day restriction to base, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th LRS received an Article 15 for two specifications of being AWOL, and for one specification of making an official statement with the intent to deceive a superior. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, with reduction below airman first class suspended, and a reprimand.
An airman from the 28th Maintenance Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of being drunk and disorderly. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman basic, suspended forfeiture of $200 pay, and a reprimand.
An airman from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of being AWOL. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman basic, suspended forfeiture of $200 pay, and a reprimand.
An airman from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of larceny. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, suspended forfeiture of $200 pay, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of being drunk and disorderly, and for one specification of unlawfully punching an individual. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, forfeiture of $1,041 pay per month for two months, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of being AWOL by leaving his place of duty, and for two specifications of making a false official statement with the intent to deceive a superior. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, 12 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
A staff sergeant from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to senior airman, forfeiture of $1,241 pay per month for two months, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand. Suspension was later vacated.
A staff sergeant from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of failing to obey a lawful order, and for one specification of using inappropriate language to another individual. Punishment consisted of reduction to senior airman, suspended forfeiture of $200 pay per month for two months, suspended 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
A technical sergeant from the 28th MXS received an Article 15 for one specification of cruelty and maltreatment. Punishment consisted of reduction to staff sergeant, suspended forfeiture of $400 pay per month for two months, suspended 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
An airman first class from the 28th Munitions Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty, and for one specification of using disrespectful language towards a superior. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman basic, with reduction below airman suspended, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th MUNS received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of a reduction to airman basic, with reduction below airman first class suspended, and a reprimand.
An airman first class from the 28th Operations Support Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman, forfeiture of $116 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. Suspension was later vacated.
A senior airman from the 28th OSS received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class, suspended forfeiture of $500 pay, and a reprimand.
An airman first class from the 28th Security Forces Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of violating a No Contact Order. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, 45 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
An airman first class from the 28th SFS received an Article 15 for specifications of using their Government Travel Card (GTC) on personal purchases. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman, suspended forfeiture of $878 pay, 30 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th SFS received an Article 15 for one specification of dereliction of duty. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, forfeiture of $500, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th SFS received an Article 15 for one specification of wrongfully using Oxazepam, a schedule IV controlled substance. Punishment consisted of reduction to airman first class, suspended forfeiture of $1,027 pay per month for two months, 45 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th SFS received an Article 15 for one specification of assault consummated by a battery. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, and a reprimand.
A senior airman from the 28th SFS received an Article 15 for one specification of using inappropriate language towards another individual. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to airman first class, 15 days extra duty, and a reprimand.
A first lieutenant from the 34th Bomb Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of assault consummated by a battery, and for two specifications of conduct unbecoming of an officer. Punishment consisted of forfeiture of $750 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand.
A first lieutenant from the 34th BS received an Article 15 for one specification of fraternization and obstructing justice. Punishment consisted of forfeiture of $2,245 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand.
A captain from the 34th BS received an Article 15 for three specifications of assault consummated by a battery. Punishment consisted of forfeiture of $1,000 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand.
A technical sergeant from the then 432nd Attack Squadron received an Article 15 for one specification of being AWOL. Punishment consisted of suspended reduction to staff sergeant, and a reprimand.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 15 provides commanders the authority to impose nonjudicial punishment. It provides commanders with an essential and prompt means to maintain good order, morale and discipline. NJP also promotes positive behavior changes in service members without the stigma of a court-martial conviction.
NJP is considered when other non-punitive disciplinary measures, such as a counseling, letter 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."