McConnell's 2010 Crime and Punishment Survey Published Feb. 23, 2011 By Capt. Leslie Schulman 22nd Air Refueling Wing Legal Office MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Article 15s Commanders at McConnell served a total of 78 Article 15s in 2010. The top offenses for which an Article 15 was given were: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dereliction of duty, failure to go and drug abuse. McConnell Airmen committed a total of 21 DUIs in 2010. Punishments for DUIs ranged from receiving a Letter of Reprimand to receiving an Article 15 and, in extreme circumstances, being court-martialed. Generally, an LOR was given only in cases where the DUI occurred off-base and the local civilian authorities did not relinquish jurisdiction to the Air Force. For those members who received an Article 15, punishment typically included reduction in rank and forfeiture of up to half of a month's pay for one to two months. One member was taken to a Summary Court-Martial - he received a punishment of reduction in grade, confinement for 30 days and forfeiture of pay. Dereliction of Duty can include a variety of offenses, such as underage drinking or misuse of a government travel card. The most common Article 15 given for Dereliction of Duty was drinking under the age of 21. Punishment ranged from reduction in rank, to forfeiture of pay, to extra duties and a reprimand. Failure to Go charges were brought against members who failed to report to duty on time, were late to physical training or failed to attend mandatory appointments. Punishment ranged from reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties and a reprimand. Finally, several members were caught illegally using or abusing drugs, most commonly marijuana. A member caught using marijuana generally receives an Article 15 with punishment that can range from reduction in rank to forfeiture of pay or extra duties. However, a commander must also initiate discharge for any member found to have used illegal drugs (or to have abused a lawful drug or prescription). A member who engages in illegal drug use may be taken to a court-martial. Discharges Airmen who do not meet military standards can, and will be administratively discharged from the military. Initiation of discharge against a member is mandatory in some circumstances, such as drug abuse and where a member has 4 PT failures within a 24-month period or is in the "poor" fitness category for 12 continuous months. Forty-eight members were administratively discharged at McConnell in 2010. The most common reasons for administrative discharge last year were: drug abuse (18 members), minor misconduct (19 members), unsatisfactory performance (4 members) and failure in the fitness program (1 member). Some of the disciplinary infractions or misconduct cited as a basis for discharge included: improper use of a government travel card, repeatedly failing dorm room inspections, repeatedly failing to report to duty on time, underage drinking and DUI. Courts Martial Nineteen courts-martial were convened at McConnell in 2010. Seven were General Courts-Martial, seven were Special Courts-Martial and five were Summary Courts-Martial. A General Court-Martial is held when the member has committed serious, felony-equivalent offenses. A Special Court-Martial is held when the member has committed lesser, misdemeanor-equivalent offenses. Summary Courts-Martial are for minor offenses. Charges brought in General Courts-Martial in 2010 included sodomy, rape, aggravated sexual contact with a minor, possession of child pornography, use and distribution of controlled substances, failing to obey lawful orders, dereliction of duty and obstruction of justice. Charges brought in Special Courts-Martial in 2010 included use and possession of controlled substances and failing to obey lawful orders. Charges brought in Summary Courts-Martial in 2010 included theft, drunk and disorderly conduct, DUI, drug use and making a false official statement. Punishments at 2010 courts-martial ranged from confinement for a matter of up to 25 years, reduction in rank, hard labor without confinement and minor forfeitures of pay to total forfeitures of all pay and allowances.