The Joint Base San Antonio Judge Advocate General completed
one Air Force court-martial in the month of August. The results of a
court-martial are not final until the clemency and/or appeals process is
completed.
All courts-martial are open to the public and upcoming
courts-martial can be viewed at the United States Air Force Judge Advocate
Generals website: http://www.afjag.af.mil/docket/index.asp.
Tech. Sgt. Chad S. Lukkes, 342nd Training Squadron,
JBSA-Lackland, was tried by a general court-martial consisting of a military
judge Aug. 11 at JBSA-Lackland. Lukkes pled and was found guilty of three
specifications of false official statement (falsely claiming to have been
awarded a Purple Heart and an Army Combat Action Badge) in violation of Article
107, Uniform Code of Military Justice, and six specifications of violation of
the general article, (improperly wearing a Purple Heart and Army Combat Action Badge
on his uniform and lying to a reporter about an injury and members of his unit
about receiving said awards) in violation of Article 134, UCMJ. The military
judge sentenced Lukkes to a reprimand, nine months confinement, and reduction
to airman basic.
During the month of August, JBSA Air Force commanders
administered 16 non-judicial 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. Officers may not be reduced in rank
as a punishment. 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.
JBSA-Lackland:
The Article 15 actions from JBSA-Lackland include, but are
not limited to:
• Dereliction of Duty, Willful: A first lieutenant misused
her government travel card and lied to leadership when questioned. The member
received forfeitures of $2,292 pay per month for one month and a reprimand.
• Absent Without Leave: A senior airman without authority
failed to remain in the local area as defined in a memorandum for all 543rd
Support Squadron personnel. The member received a suspended reduction to airman
first class, forfeitures of $1,027 pay per month for one month, 30 days extra
duty and a reprimand.
• Absent Without Leave: A senior airman without authority
failed to remain in a designated duty location and failed to report to duty at
the designated time. The member received a suspended reduction to airman first
class, suspended forfeitures of $511 pay per month for two months, 15 days
extra duty and a reprimand.
• Dereliction of Duty, Willful: A senior airman misused her
government travel card by making unauthorized purchases. The member received a
reduction to airman first class and a reprimand.
• Dereliction of Duty x 2, Willful: Two airmen first class
in technical training failed to remain inside the dormitory between the hours
of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. and fled from an NCO when seen attempting to leave. They
received a suspended reduction to the grade of airman, 14 days restriction, 14
days extra duty and a reprimand.
• Dereliction of Duty, Willful: An airman in technical
training failed to remain inside the dormitory between the hours of 10 p.m. and
4 a.m. The member received suspended forfeitures of $404 pay per month for one
month, 14 days restriction, 14 days extra duty and a reprimand.
• Dereliction of Duty, Willful: An airman basic in technical
training failed to remain inside the dormitory between the hours of 10 p.m. and
4 a.m. The member received a reduction to the grade of airman basic,
forfeitures of $773 pay per month for two months, one month of $773 pay per
month suspended, 60 days restriction and a reprimand.
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston:
The Article 15 actions from JBSA-Fort Sam Houston consist
of:
• Failure to Go x 2 & Dereliction of Duty, Failing to have
a 29B: An airman first class failed to report to the physical training pad
where the squadron performed PT. He also went outside the allowed radius
without an Air Force Form 29b, which resulted in the member missing
accountability. The member received 14 days of restriction to JBSA-Fort Sam
Houston, forfeiture of $911 for two months with one month suspended and a
reprimand.
• Dereliction of Duty, Willful x 2: During a health and
welfare inspection, an airman first class was found in possession of alcohol.
The member was also under the legal age of 21. The member received a reduction
to the rank of airman and a reprimand.
• Dereliction of Duty, Willful: An airman first class was
found out of her dormitory after accountability was performed. The member received
14 days of restriction to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and a reprimand.
JBSA – Randolph:
The Article 15 action from JBSA-Randolph consists of:
• Failure to Go: An airman basic failed to go to his
appointed place of duty. When contacted by his unit to determine his location,
he lied about his whereabouts. The member received forfeitures of $773 per
month for one month and a reprimand.