March Article 15s

  • Published
  • 5th Bomb Wing Judge Advocate Office
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A vast majority of Team Minot will never have to experience the Article 15 process; however, it is important for members to understand the different types of misconduct that can warrant non-judicial punishment and how commanders can punish misconduct. 

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, all commanders may initiate an Article 15. The member in question is given the right to respond before guilt and punishment is determined. After the commander reviews the member's response, the circumstances of the offense; any matters in mitigation or extenuation; and the member's previous misconduct, the commander will then determine guilt and punishment. The maximum punishment for an Article 15 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 duties and restriction to base. For the month of March 2015, the Minot Air Force Base Legal Office processed the following Article 15s. These examples are provided to inform the base community of the serious nature of non-judicial punishment and the potential severity of punishment.

1.  A technical sergeant from the 5th Communications Squadron received a reduction to the grade of staff sergeant, forfeiture of $1,562 pay per month for two months suspended and a reprimand for one specification of Article 91, insubordinate conduct toward a noncommissioned officer.

2.  A senior airman from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman 1st class, forfeiture of $969 pay per month for two months suspended and 60 days restriction to the limits of Minot AFB, North Dakota, for three specifications of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty and one specification of Article 134, communicating a threat.

3.  A senior airman from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman 1st class suspended, forfeiture of $969 pay for one month, 10 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 113, misbehavior of a sentinel.

4. An airman 1st class from the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman, reduction to the grade of airman basic suspended, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months suspended and 45 days restriction to the limits of Minot AFB, North Dakota, for one specification of Article 112, drunk on duty.

5.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Communications Squadron received reduction to the grade of airman, forfeiture of $867 pay per month for two months suspended, 30 days restriction to the limits of Minot AFB, North Dakota, suspended for one specification of Article 111, drunken operation of a vehicle.

6.   An airman 1st class from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months, 45 days extra duty suspended and a reprimand for one specification of Article 91, insubordinate conduct towards a noncommissioned officer, one specification of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty, and three specifications of Article 107, false official statement.

7.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Maintenance Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $773 pay per month suspended, 30 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 112a, wrongful use of a controlled substance.

8.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Operations Support Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman, reduction to the grade of airman basic suspended, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty 30 of those days suspended and a reprimand for one specification of Article 86, failure to go, two specifications of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty.

9.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay, 10 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 113, misbehavior of a sentinel.

10.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay, 10 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 92, failure to obey a lawful order.

11.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867.00 pay per month for two months, 10 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty.

12.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay per month for two months suspended, 30 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 113, misbehavior of a sentinel.

13.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay per month for two months and a reprimand for one specification of Article 108, damage to military property.

14.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay per month for two months and a reprimand for one specification of Article 113, misbehavior of a sentinel.

15.  An airman 1st class from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended, forfeiture of $867 pay, 10 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 92, failure to obey a lawful order.

16. An airman 1st class from the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 day restriction to the limits of Minot AFB, North Dakota, 45 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 112a, wrongful use of marijuana.

17.  An airman 1st class from the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, 45 days extra duty and 45 days restriction for two specifications of Article 112a, wrongful use and possession of marijuana and Article 112a, wrongful use of a controlled substance.

18.  An airman 1st class from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman suspended and 15 days extra duty for one specification of Article 92, willful dereliction of duty.

19.  An airman from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months suspended, 45 days extra duty and a reprimand for one specification of Article 86, Failure to go.

20.  An airman from the 5th Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months suspended and a reprimand for one specification of Article 112a, wrongful use of marijuana.

21.  An airman from the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron received a reduction to the grade of airman basic, 45 days extra duty and 45 days restriction to the limits of Minot AFB, North Dakota, for one specification of Article 112a, wrongful use of marijuana.