The Justice Files - May 2015 Published June 26, 2015 92nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate General FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- During the month of May, five Fairchild Airmen received nonjudicial punishment under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice, seven Airmen were involuntarily separated, and one was administratively demoted. Commanders used the following as a means of punishment, rehabilitation, and maintaining good order and discipline: NONJUDICIAL PUNISHMENT (ARTICLES 15) 22nd Training Squadron An airman first class received an Article 15 for committing an assault consummated by a battery, a violation of Article 128, UCMJ, and communicating a threat, a violation of Article 134, UCMJ. Essentially, this airman battered his spouse by striking her in the face and grabbing her neck and threatened to "smash" her skull and "kill" her "right now." Punishment consisted of a reduction to the rank of airman basic, suspended forfeitures of $773 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron A senior airman received an Article 15 for failing to obey a lawful order, a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. This airman was ordered by his commander to notify his first sergeant any time he was placed on medical quarters and subsequently failed to comply with this lawful order. Punishment consisted of a reduction to the rank of airman, with the reduction below the grade of airman first class suspended for six months, and a reprimand. 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron A technical sergeant received an Article 15 for assault consummated a battery, a violation of Article 128, UCMJ. This NCO pushed his spouse's head into the passenger window of their motor vehicle. As stated by the unit commander: it is unacceptable to "resort to violence to solve... personal problems." Punishment consisted of a reduction to the rank of staff sergeant, suspended forfeiture of $1,562 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. 92nd Force Support Squadron An airman first class received an Article 15 for making a false official statement, a violation of Article 107, UCMJ. This airman attempted to get out of work by making a false statement to the effect of "my supervisor had released me for the day." Punishment consisted of a reduction to the rank of airman and a reprimand. 92nd Maintenance Squadron A technical sergeant received an Article 15 for driving drunk, a violation of Article 111, UCMJ. This NCO was arrested by local police after his breath revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.125, well over the Washington legal limit of 0.08. Punishment consisted of a reduction to the rank of staff sergeant and a reprimand. INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION ACTIONS 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron A senior airman was separated for minor disciplinary infractions. Dating back to September 2010, this airman received three letters of counseling and nine letters of reprimand for various disciplinary infractions. Due to the member's significant pattern of misconduct, the separation authority, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, directed this airman's separation with an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge. Moreover, as a result of this discharge characterization, this airman forfeited all G.I. Bill benefits. 92nd Maintenance Squadron An airman was separated for a series of minor disciplinary infractions. Since March 2014, this airman received one letter of counseling, five letters of reprimand, and nonjudicial punishment, all for various breaches of Air Force standards. Due to the member's inability to conform to basic military standards, the separation authority, 92nd ARW commander, directed this airman's separation with a General Discharge. This airman also forfeited his G.I. Bill benefits. 92nd Force Support Squadron A senior airman was separated for minor disciplinary infractions. Since August 2012, this airman received two letters of counseling and four letters of reprimand for substandard conduct to include speeding, insubordinate behavior and lying. Due to this member's misconduct, the separation authority, 92nd ARW commander, directed this airman's separation with a General discharge. Again, this airman forfeited all G.I. Bill benefits. 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron An airman was separated for failure to meet Air Force fitness program standards. This airman failed his fitness tests four times in two years. Throughout this period, the member received rehabilitative measures in the form of unit directed fitness activities, diet and exercise education, formal counseling sessions, and was administratively demoted. However, these attempts to motivate the airman into meeting standards proved unsuccessful and the separation authority, 92nd ARW commander, directed this airman's separation with an Honorable discharge. A senior airman was separated for committing a serious offense. Essentially, this airman was facing trial by general court-martial for multiple offenses of committing a sexual assault, a violation of Article 120, UCMJ. Prior to arraignment, this airman requested that he be discharged in lieu of trial by court-martial. In turn, the general court-martial convening authority, 18th Air Force commander, approved the member's request and directed his separation with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge. This characterization forfeited his G.I Bill benefits and potentially impacted his use of many other veterans' administration benefits. 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron A staff sergeant was separated for committing a serious offense and substance abuse treatment failure. In March 2015, this NCO was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol by off-base authorities. At the time of the arrest, this member was undergoing substance abuse treatment at Fairchild's ADAPT clinic for his significant history of alcohol abuse. Based on the DUI, this NCO was deemed a program failure. In April 2015, this NCO's case was presented at an administrative discharge board comprised of five commissioned officers. After hearing all of the evidence, the panel of officers recommended this NCO's separation from the United States Air Force. The separation authority, 92nd ARW commander, approved the board's recommendation and directed this member's separation with a General discharge. ADMINISTRATIVE DEMOTIONS 92nd Operations Support Squadron A technical sergeant was administratively demoted to the rank of staff sergeant for her failure to meet Air Force physical fitness standards and failing to fulfill her responsibilities as an NCO. This NCO failed the fitness test four times over the span of approximately four years and also failed to carry out her duties as a first-line leader. This substandard conduct resulted in her receiving three letters of counseling and two letters of reprimand. Accordingly, the demotion authority, 92nd Operations Group commander, found demotion action to be appropriate and demoted her to the rank of staff sergeant.