McConnell's legal office releases December, January Article 15s Published Feb. 16, 2010 By Legal Office 22nd Air Refueling Wing MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- McConnell Airmen received Article 15s in December and January. Non-judicial punishment, such as an Article 15 punishment, provides commanders with a means of maintaining good order and discipline and promotes positive behavior changes in servicemembers without the stigma of a court-martial conviction. Punishment is determined on a case-by-case basis. Below is a list of prohibited actions committed by Airmen, who received Article 15s, as well as additional punishments. December 2009 An airman 1st class engaged in indecent acts with a minor and failed to obey a lawful order. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman and a reprimand. An airman 1st class used and distributed marijuana. The member received an immediate reduction to the grade of airman basic, 14 days extra duty, a reprimand and was administratively discharged. An airman 1st class consumed alcohol under the age of 21 and made a false, official statement. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman, 15 days extra duty and a reprimand. An airman 1st class drove under the influence of alcohol and made a false, official statement. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman, a suspended reduction to airman basic, 15 days extra duty and a reprimand. An airman failed to go to an appointed place of duty. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman basic. An airman basic failed to go to an appointed place of duty. The member received a forfeiture of $100 pay. A senior airman used marijuana. The member received an immediate reduction to the grade of airman, a reprimand and was administratively discharged. A first lieutenant drove under the influence of alcohol. The member received forfeiture of $1,500 pay per month for two months and a reprimand. A senior airman drove under the influence of alcohol and misused prescription medication. The member received an immediate reduction to the grade of airman. An airman 1st class used provoking language toward another Airman and failed to go to an appointed place of duty. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman, 15 days restriction and a reprimand. Soon after, the member made a false, official statement and received 12 days restriction, reduction to the grade of airman basic and another reprimand. The member was administratively discharged. An airman 1st class consumed alcohol under the age of 21. The member received 14 days extra duty, suspended reduction to the grade of airman and a reprimand. An airman 1st class was drunk on duty. The member received 45 days extra duty, 45 days restriction, a suspended reduction to the grade of airman and a reprimand. An airman 1st class stole more than $200 of merchandise from a department store. The member received 10 days extra duty, suspended reduction to the grade of airman and a reprimand. January 2010 An airman 1st class misused his government travel card and issued a bad personal check. The member received a suspended reduction to the grade of airman and a forfeiture of $81 pay per month for two months. An airman 1st class made a false official statement and assaulted a civilian. The member received a suspended reduction to the grade of airman, forfeiture of $250 pay per month for two months, an additional suspended forfeiture of $100 pay, 15 days extra duty and a reprimand. A senior airman used marijuana. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman 1st class, a suspended reduction to Airman, a suspended forfeiture of $811 pay and 30 days extra duty. A senior airman used marijuana. The member received reduction to the grade of airman 1st class, forfeiture of $929 pay, a suspended forfeiture of $299 pay and 30 days extra duty. An airman 1st class drove under the influence of alcohol. He received an immediate reduction to the grade of airman basic, suspended forfeiture of $699 pay for two months and a reprimand. A senior airman misused his government travel card. He received a suspended reduction to the grade of airman 1st class and forfeiture of $167 pay for two months. Court martial In addition to a wide range of administrative actions and non judicial punishment, members may face court martial for misconduct. One McConnell Airman faced a court martial in January. Senior Airman Jose Araizanavarrete wrongfully used marijuana between August 14 to Sept. 14, 2009. He tested positive during a random urinalysis test. On Jan. 26, Airman Araizanavarrete was sentenced by summary court martial to the grade of airman basic, 30 days confinement, and forfeiture of one half of one month's pay.