Articles 15

  • Published
  • By Minot Air Force Base Legal Office
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

A vast majority of members of Team Minot will never have to experience the non-judicial punishment process pursuant to Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). However, it is important for members to understand the different types of misconduct that can warrant non-judicial punishment and how commanders can punish offenders. 

Under Article 15 of the UCMJ, all commanders may initiate non-judicial punishment.  A member offered non-judicial punishment has the right to accept the punishment or demand trial by court-martial.  If the member accepts the Article 15 process they are provided an opportunity to respond before guilt and punishment are determined by the Commander. 

After the Commander reviews the member’s response, the circumstances of the offense, any factors in mitigation or extenuation and the member’s history of misconduct (if any), the Commander will then determine guilt or innocence and if found guilty an appropriate punishment.

 The maximum punishment for an Article 15 action depends on the rank of the member being punished and the rank of the officer imposing punishment.  Typical punishments include, but are not limited to, reduction in rank, forfeitures of pay, extra duties, restriction to base, and a reprimand.  Officers cannot be demoted in rank. 

The Commander can also choose to suspend a portion of the punishment.  The suspended punishment acts as a probation period for no more than six months.  If the member commits further misconduct, the suspended punishment can be vacated, meaning the suspended punishment will immediately take effect. 

For the month of April, the Minot AFB Legal Office processed ten Article 15s.  Listed below are short summaries of the cases to inform the base community of the types of conducts which can be appropriate for non-judicial punishment and the potential severity of punishment.

  1. A Staff Sergeant from the 5th Maintenance Group received a reduction to the grade of Senior Airman, suspended, 14 days of extra duty, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 134, Drunk and disorderly.

     

  2. A Staff Sergeant from the 5th Maintenance Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Senior Airman, forfeiture of $1,216.00 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days of extra duty suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 134, Adultery.

     

  3. A Staff Sergeant from the 5th Maintenance Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Senior Airman, suspended, 45 days of extra duty, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 134, Drunk and disorderly.

     

  4. An Airman First Class from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Airman, forfeiture of $896.00 pay per month for two months with one month suspended, 30 days of restriction to the limits of Minot Air Force Base with 15 days suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 86, Failure to go and one specification in violation of Article 107, False official statement.

     

  5. An Airman First Class from the 5th Maintenance Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Airman, forfeiture of $896.00 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days of extra duty suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 86, Failure to go and one specification in violation of Article 134, Drunk and disorderly.

     

  6. An Airman First Class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Airman Basic suspended, forfeiture of $799.00 pay per month for two months suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, Dereliction of duty.

     

  7. An Airman First Class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Airman, forfeiture of $896.00 pay per month for two months suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, Dereliction of duty.

     

  8. An Airman First Class from the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Airman, suspended, forfeiture of $896.00 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 80, Attempt to photograph the private area of another person, and one specification of Article 107, False official statement.

     

  9. An Airman First Class from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of Airman, forfeiture of $896.00 pay for one month, suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 121, Larceny.

     

  10. An Airman from the 705th Munitions Squadron received reduction to the grade of Airman Basic, suspended, forfeiture of $799.00 pay for one month, suspended, 30 days of extra duty, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 86, Failure to go.