Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne has directed that Brig. Gen. Richard S. Hassan, former director of the Air Force senior leader management office, retire in the permanent grade of colonel effective March 1.

The retirement grade determination follows an Air Force Inspector General investigation and subsequent nonjudicial punishment for General Hassan, a 27-year veteran.

The commander of Air Force Space Command, Gen. Lance W. Lord, offered nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Sept. 7, alleging that General Hassan engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer by engaging in an unprofessional relationship and by sexually harassing his subordinates as well as for maltreatment of a subordinate.

General Hassan accepted this punishment in lieu of a trial by court-martial. General Lord then concluded Oct. 28 that General Hassan committed the offenses as alleged and punished him with a written reprimand and an order to forfeit $1,000 of his pay per month for two months.

In addition, General Lord initiated the officer grade determination process.

"The Air Force takes allegations of misconduct by Airmen of any rank seriously, investigates the allegations fully and takes appropriate action,” Secretary Wynne said. “General Hassan has now been held accountable for his actions under the UCMJ and by retirement in the grade of colonel.”

Retirement in the grade of colonel instead of brigadier general will result in a future retired pay loss of more than $514,000 before taxes, according to Air Force budget office estimates.