Airmen receive Article 15s in September Published Oct. 18, 2007 By 36th Wing Legal Office ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Three Andersen Airmen received nonjudicial punishment in September. The circumstances of the cases are as follows: A senior airman from the 554th RED HORSE Squadron was disrespectful to a noncommissioned officer by holding up his hand to him and walking away while he was being addressed, in violation of Article 91, Uniform Code of Military Justice. For this action, the Airman received a reduction to airman first class and a reprimand. An airman first class from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron wrongfully caused congestion on the network by sending a chain letter to all military personnel in his squadron. This Airman also willfully failed to refrain from disconnecting the strobe and audio device for the fire alarm line in his dormitory room, in violation of Article 92, UCMJ. For these actions, the Airman received a reduction to the rank of airman, and 45 days extra duty. An airman first class from the 36th Munitions Squadron failed to keep his dormitory room in inspection order and failed to properly maintain his service dress uniform, in violation of Article 92, UCMJ. For this action, the Airman received a suspended reduction to the rank of airman, 45 days extra duty and a reprimand. Punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ, otherwise known as nonjudicial punishment, is action by a servicemember's commander in response to suspected violations of the UCMJ. The commander determines if the service member committed the offense and, if so, imposes appropriate punishment. Accepting procedures under Article 15 is a choice of forum and not an admission of guilt. Service members always have the option to turn down Article 15 proceedings and demand to be tried by court-martial. The legal office is available to brief at unit commander calls or other unit functions regarding current military justice or other legal issues affecting Andersen AFB. For more information, contact the Military Justice team at 36wg.jam@andersen.af.mil or 366-2939.