Should Commanders report their soldiers if they have an alcohol addiction issue?

"Should Commanders report their soldiers if they have an alcohol addiction issue?"
Report them to who? the commander is "The guy" things get reported to.
If you mean should a commander with knowledge of a SM having a alcohol abuse issue enroll the SM in a treatment program the answer is yes, both morally and ethically.,,as regulation requires it,,not optional.
If you mean others than the commander reporting the SM TO THE COMMANDER, the answer is, it depends...if peers and leaders have done what they can and failed to convince the SM to seek treatment and they are convinced it is an issue affecting the unit, the SM, their family.. then YES go see the 1SG and CDR on an open door policy and share your concerns.

Been there done that... on Both sides of the coin...
if you want to Keep the Service Member get them some Help... fast ... before he or she takes the unit and themselves down...

If a soldier, regardless of rank or pay grade has or is starting to develop a problem with alcohol, it is time to sit them down and talk to them - explaining the impact alcohol has on their career, your genuine concern for them, and what resources are out there for them, all the while doing away with the stigma that getting help will stunt their promotion. An assessment should be made on whether or not the soldier should merely be told about what resources are available, or whether the soldier should be ordered to receive help.

Alcoholism is not easy to accept. It is probably one of the most denied diseases by those who suffer from it. We in the military have always been under the connotation that we are supposed to drink. That simply must change. The chain of command, from E1 to O10, should ensure this soldier is getting the help he or she needs without and fear of reprisal. No one should be afraid to talk to their leadership about a fellow brother or sister. We are obligated to look out for our own. You aren't a snitch and you definitely are not being a "blue falcon". Whether they have a problem or not, they should understand that you were looking out for them. You should not "mind your own business"; as a soldier, the business of your fellow soldiers is your business. When something interferes with their well being or their ability to complete their tasks or your ability to rely on them, whether it be alcohol, finances, relationship problems, etc. its our job as leaders to identify a problem and propose a solution.

Be a leader and get them the help they need. Start informal and make good decisions from there. They may not understand at first, but down the road, problem or not, they will realize that you were looking out for them when no one else was. You stepped up.

SSG Carlos Madden PVT James Strait SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" COL Mikel J. Burroughs SN Kevin Neff SN Greg Wright PO1 Andrew Gardiner