Article 15s: Aug-Oct '16 Published Jan. 19, 2017 By Senior Airman Stephanie C. Sund Minot Air Force Base Legal Office MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A vast majority of Team Minot members will never have to experience the non-judicial punishment process pursuant to Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. However, it is important for military 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 and meet with the commander before a determination of guilt is made by that commander. Additionally, when a member accepts non-judicial punishment they are not admitting to guilt. After the commander reviews the member’s response and the circumstances of the offense, any mitigation or extenuation factors and the member’s misconduct history, if any, the commander will make a guilt determination. If found guilty, the commander will determine the 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, forfeiture of pay, extra duty, restriction to base or a reprimand. The commander can also choose to suspend any portion of the punishment. The suspended punishment acts as a probation period for no more than six months. During this period, if the member commits further misconduct the suspended punishment can take effect. During August, September and October 2016, the Minot Air Force Base Legal Office processed 25 Article 15s. Short summaries of these offenses and subsequent punishments are listed below. The summaries are to inform the community of the nature of the punishments and potential consequences.1. A technical sergeant from the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of staff sergeant suspended, forfeiture of $1,573 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty with 15 days suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty, neglect.2. A technical sergeant from the 5th AMXS received a reduction in rank to the grade of staff sergeant, forfeiture of $1,494 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty with 15 suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty, and one specification in violation of Article 92, unprofessional relationship.3. A technical sergeant from the 5th Communications Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of Staff Sergeant suspended, forfeiture of $66 pay for one month and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty.4. A staff sergeant from the 5th AMXS received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman, forfeiture of $1,133 pay per month for two months suspended, and 45 days extra duty with 15 days suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 134, obtaining services under false pretenses.5. A staff sergeant from the 5th Bomb Wing received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman suspended, 30 days extra duty with 15 days suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation Article 128, assault consummated by battery.6. A staff sergeant from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman, forfeiture of $1,191 pay per month for two months with one month suspended, 30 days extra duty with 15 days suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty, and one specification in violation of Article 134, drunk and disorderly. 7. A staff sergeant from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving.8. A staff sergeant from the 91st MSFS received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman, forfeiture of $1,241 pay for one month suspended, and a reprimand for two specifications in violation of Article 86, failure to go, and one specification in violation of Article 107, false official statement.9. A staff sergeant from the 705th Munitions Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman, forfeiture of $1,241 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days restriction to base, 45 days extra duty suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 86, absent without leave. 10. A staff sergeant from the 5th Operations Support Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman suspended, forfeiture of $1241 pay per month for two months with one month suspended, 30 extra duty days suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty, neglect.11. A staff sergeant from the 5th OSS received a reduction in rank to the grade of senior airman, forfeiture of $1,241 pay for one month suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 112, wrongful use of marijuana.12. A senior airman from the 5th AMXS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman first class suspended, forfeiture of $1,041 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, dereliction of duty, neglect.13. A senior airman from the 5th AMXS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman first class, forfeiture of $1,041 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty with 15 days suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving. 14. A senior airman from the 5th Contracting Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman basic, and 45 days extra duty suspended for one specification in violation of Article 112a, wrongful use of a controlled substance, one specification in violation of Article 121, larceny, and one specification in violation of Article 134, malingering.15. A senior airman from the 5th Medical Operations Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman first class, forfeiture of $1,041 pay for one month suspended, 15 days extra duty suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving. 16. A senior airman from the 791st MSFS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman first class, forfeiture of $1,041 pay per month for two months with one month suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving. 17. A senior airman from the 91st MSFS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman with a reduction to the grade of airman basic suspended, forfeiture of $783 pay per month for two months suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 112, wrongful use of marijuana. 18. An airman first class from the 5th Force Support Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman basic, 60 days restriction to base, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty, and one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving. 19. An airman first class from the 5th LRS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $878 pay for one month with $678 suspended, 45 days restriction to base and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 86, failure to go. 20. An airman first class from the 791st Maintenance Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman suspended, forfeitures of $878 pay for one month, 30 days restriction to base and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 134, drunk and disorderly.21. An airman first class from the 5th MXS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman, forfeiture of $878 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving. 22. An airman first class from the 791st MSFS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman with a reduction to the grade of airman basic suspended, forfeiture of $783 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty with 28 days suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 86, failure to go. 23. An airman first class from the 791st MSFS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman with a reduction to the grade of airman basic suspended, forfeiture of $783 pay per month for two months suspended, 30 days restriction to base suspended and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 134, indecent language. 24. An airman from the 5th AMXS received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $783 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days restriction to the base with 15 days suspended, 45 days extra duty with 15 days suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty, one specification in violation of Article 92, unprofessional relationship, and one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving.25. An airman from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron received a reduction in rank to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $783 pay per month for two months suspended, and a reprimand for one specification in violation of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty, and one specification in violation of Article 111, drunken driving.