RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Nonjudicial punishments
Nonjudicial punishments are determined on individual facts and circumstances of each case.
Suspended punishments occur when a commander delays imposing all or part of a punishment. This provides both an observation period and an incentive for good behavior as the suspended punishment can be imposed at a later date if the member's misconduct continues.
The following is a summary of nonjudicial punishments given by commanders under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice between July and December:
· A senior airman received an Article 15 for larceny of military property valued under $500 and assault. The member was demoted to airman first class and reprimanded.
· A technical sergeant received an Article 15 for dereliction of duty and signing a false official statement. The member received a suspended reduction to the rank of staff sergeant, 14 days extra duty and a reprimand.
· A staff sergeant received an Article 15 for misbehavior of a sentinel. The member was reprimanded.
· A staff sergeant received an Article 15 for viewing pornography on a government computer. The member received a suspended reduction to the rank of senior airman, forfeiture of $1,031 per month for two months and a reprimand.
· An airman first class received an Article 15 for dereliction of duty. The member was demoted to airman and reprimanded.
· A senior airman received an Article 15 for damaging non-military property valued over $500 and unlawful entry. The member received a suspended reduction to the rank of airman first class, forfeiture of $864 per month for two months and a reprimand.
· An airman received an Article 15 for disobeying a noncommissioned officer, dereliction of duty and making a false official statement. The member was demoted to airman basic, given 12 days extra duty, restricted to base for 30 days and reprimanded.
· An airman received an Article 15 for underage drinking and driving while intoxicated. The member was demoted to airman basic, given 45 days extra duty and reprimanded.
· A senior airman received an Article 15 for being drunk on duty and use of marijuana. The member was demoted to airman and reprimanded.
· A senior airman received an Article 15 for failure to go. The member was demoted to airman first class and reprimanded.
· A staff sergeant received an Article 15 for assault and battery. The member was demoted to senior airman, given 45 days extra duty and reprimanded.
Involuntary discharges
Air Force members can be involuntarily separated from the service for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: failure in the fitness program, CDC failure, drug abuse and misconduct.
The following is a summary of involuntary discharges at Randolph Air Force Base between July and December:
· In September, an airman first class was involuntarily discharged for a pattern of misconduct with an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge characterization.
· In October, an airman basic was involuntarily discharged for a pattern of misconduct with an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge characterization.
· In November, a senior airman was involuntarily discharged for drug abuse with an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge characterization.
Courts-martial
On Sept. 14, a general court-martial convened in the case of United States v. MSgt Joseph Helman, HQ Air Force Personnel Center. Sergeant Helman was charged with committing an indecent act with a minor, communicating indecent language to that same minor and possessing images and videos of unrelated child pornography on his home computer.
Under the UCMJ, the accused has the right to choose whether a panel of officers (an enlisted accused can request one-third of the panel be enlisted) or a military judge will determine whether he is guilty and if guilty, what the appropriate punishment will be.
Sergeant Helman chose to have his case heard by a military judge.
Sergeant Helman pleaded guilty to the charged offenses. After hearing the testimony of the now-13-year-old victim and reviewing evidence presented by Sergeant Helman, he received a reduction to E-1 (Airman Basic), five years confinement and a dishonorable discharge. Sergeant Helman will also be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction.