December 2012 Crime and Punishment Published Jan. 10, 2013 By 355th Fighter Wing Legal Office DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Article 15 Actions: During December 2012, D-M commanders administered four Nonjudicial Punishment actions under Article 15 of the UCMJ. The punishments imposed reflect the commander's determination of an appropriate punishment after considering the circumstances of the offense and the offender's record. A "suspended" punishment does not take effect unless the offender engages in additional misconduct or fails to satisfy the conditions of the suspension. The suspension period usually lasts for six months unless a lesser amount is specified. Assault Consummated by a Battery and Disorderly Conduct - A Technical Sergeant received a suspended reduction to the grade of Staff Sergeant, suspended forfeitures of $1,506 pay per month for 2 months, and 30 days of extra duty. AWOL, Three Days or Less - A Senior Airman received a reduction to the grade of Airman First Class and a reprimand. Failure to Obey a Lawful Order and Leaving the Scene of an Accident - An Airman First Class received a reduction to the grade of Airman, suspended forfeitures of $835 pay per month for 2 months, and 14 days extra duty. Failure to Go - An Airman First Class received suspended reduction to the grade of Airman, suspended forfeitures of $835 pay per month for 2 months, and a suspended 45 days of extra duty. Article 15 Metrics: DM 88% Compliant Davis-Monthan finished 2012 with an 88% compliance with the Air Force goal of processing all Article 15s within 30 calendar days of discovery of the offense. The Air Force metric is to process 80% of all Article 15s within this timeframe. A great thanks to all the commanders and first sergeants who worked hard to make sure members received swift and fair justice in 2012. Article 15 Q&A Q: The commander is going on a short leave/TDY, do we have to wait until the commander is back so that he can offer an Article 15 to the member in person? A: No. Under Article 15 of the UCMJ and AFI 51-202 paragraph 3.9. it is not required for a commander to offer an Article 15 in person. AFI 51-202 paragraph 3.9.1. states that "normally, the initiating commander notifies and serves the member..." but, "where circumstances prevent the initiating commander from personally notifying and serving... the member or the initiating commander elects not to do so, the initiating commander may direct a subordinate, senior in rank to the member (when practicable), to notify and serve the member." Please contact the D-M military justice section for more information on this or any other NJP processing question. NJP Top 3 Offenses 2012 1. Dereliction of Duty (Willful) 2. Failure to Obey Lawful Order 3. False Official Statement DUIs at DM 2011 2012* 355 MXG 27 12 355 MSG 9 12 355 FW 0 0 355 MDG 0 2 355 OG 1 1 12 AF 3 3 TENANTS 12 10 DMAFB TOTAL 52 40 * Year End Total