15 SJ Airmen punished for UCMJ infractions

  • Published
  • 4th Fighter Wing legal office
During March, eight Seymour Johnson Airmen received Article 15s. 

Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice authorizes commanders to impose non-judicial punishment, a disciplinary measure more serious than administrative corrective measures (such as letters of reprimand, admonishment, counseling), but less serious than trial by court-martial. 

Commonly referred to as an Article 15, this disciplinary tool empowers commanders with a prompt and essential means of maintaining good order and discipline within their unit and the ability to promote positive behavior changes within an individual without stigmatizing that individual with a court-martial conviction.

- A technical sergeant from the 4th Security Forces Squadron received non-judicial punishment for drunk and disorderly conduct in violation of the UCMJ, Article 134. During a commercial flight home from training, he began to drink heavily and became loud and obnoxious towards fellow Airmen and flight attendants. As a result of his actions, he received a reduction to staff sergeant and forfeitures of $500 pay per month for two months.

- A staff sergeant from the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received non-judicial punishment for failure to obey a general order in violation of the UCMJ, Article 92. Over a three month period, she abused her government travel card by using it to purchase over $900 in personal items. As a result of her actions, she received a suspended reduction to senior airman, forfeitures of $125 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

- A staff sergeant from the 4th AMXS received non-judicial punishment for dereliction of duty in violation of the UCMJ, Article 92. He failed to follow Air Force Instruction 21-101, Air Force Policy Directive 31-3, and Technical Order 00-20-1 resulting in delayed launch procedures and the consequential shut down of an aircraft. As a result of his actions, he received forfeitures of $300 pay per month for two months, 14 days extra duty and a reprimand.

- A staff sergeant from the 4th Medical Support Squadron received non-judicial punishment for failure to go and incapacitation for the performance of duties in violation of the UCMJ, Articles 86 and 134. He drank an excessive amount of alcohol Sunday evening, overslept, failed to show for duty on time, and was still intoxicated when he finally reported to work. As a result of his actions, he received a suspended reduction to senior airman, forfeitures of $500 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

- A senior airman from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron received non-judicial punishment for failure to go in violation of the UCMJ, Article 86. He failed to report for duty on time. As a result of his actions, he received a reduction to airman first class and 10 days extra duty.

- A senior airman from the 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron received non-judicial punishment for failure to go in violation of the UCMJ, Article 86. He arrived to work 30 minutes late. As a result of his actions, he received a reduction to airman first class, suspended forfeitures of $815 pay per month for two months, 15 days extra duty and a reprimand.

- An airman first class from the 4th AMXS received non-judicial punishment for dereliction of duty in violation of the UCMJ, Article 92. He failed to follow Air Force Instruction 21-101, Air Force Policy Directive 31-3, and Technical Order 00-20-1 causing a delay in scheduled launch procedures and the shut down of an aircraft. As a result of his actions, he received forfeitures of $200 pay per month for two months, 14 days extra duty and a reprimand.

- An airman first class from the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron received non-judicial punishment for dereliction of duty in violation of the UCMJ, Article 92. She charged more than $700 on her Government Travel Card at several local stores. As a result of her actions, she received a reduction to airman.

Under specific circumstances, commanders can also Administratively Separate (Discharge) Airmen from the Air Force. During the month of March, six Seymour Johnson Airmen were administratively discharged from the Air Force.

- An airman from the 4th CES received an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge as a result of the following misconduct: six reported instances of being late and/or missing mandatory duty/formations and one failing to follow supervisor's instructions to receive training during the member's shift.

- An airman first class from the 4th CES received an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge as a result of the following misconduct: six reported failures to go and/or missing an appointment, one failure to follow instructions, and one failure to prepare for a scheduled test.

- An airman basic from the 4th MOS received an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge as a result of his wrongful use of marijuana. Prior to his discharge, he was found guilty of the wrongful use of marijuana by Summary Court Martial.

- An airman first class from the 4th AMXS received an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge as a result of the following misconduct: operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, providing alcohol to a minor, and assault.

- An airman from the 4th Communications Squadron received an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge as a result of the following misconduct: being disrespectful, rude, and unprofessional to an officer, creating a harassing environment for the members of 4th Medical Group, failure to go, disobeying a lawful order from a senior non-commissioned officer, disrespectful to a non-commissioned officer, and failure to follow instructions.

- An airman basic from the 4th Services Squadron received an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge a result of his wrongful use of marijuana. Prior to his discharge, he was found guilty of the wrongful use of marijuana by Summary Court Martial.

There are three types of courts-martial that can be convened depending on the severity of the offense(s). 

Summary courts-martial may impose up to 30 days confinement, reduction in rank to E-1, hard labor without confinement for 45 days, restriction to specified limits for two months or forfeiture of two-thirds of one month's pay. 

Special courts-martial, depending on the charges, can confine an accused up to one year, give a bad-conduct discharge, reduction to E-1, hard labor without confinement for three months, and forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for one year. 

General courts-martial may adjudge any punishment not prohibited by the UCMJ, including bad-conduct discharge, dishonorable discharge, life imprisonment and death when specifically authorized.

- Airman 1st Class Hunter Helms from the 4th Component Maintenance Squadron was convicted at a summary court-martial of wrongful use of marijuana in violation of Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice March26. At trial, he pled and was found guilty of wrongful use of marijuana. Airman Helms was sentenced to 30 days confinement, reduction in rank to airman basic and two-thirds forfeiture of one months pay.