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I got a DUI this weekend. I'm probably facing the QSP board based on what my first sergeant told me. Is this something that can be overcome? I am set to get looked at for 7 next year.
DUI
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NCOs
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Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 40
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I don't think you'll be getting looked at for SFC next year for sure. You're looking at probably losing rank on this. You could get discharged - that's a possibility.
You made the choice to drive while intoxicated. I don't care how harsh I sound - people die from intoxicated drivers. My uncle was killed by one, along with three of his friends, in 1979 two weeks after they graduated from high school. Thousands of people are killed by people making a horrible choice.
And in this day - there are too many options to avoid a DUI. Uber, Lyft, taxi, a designated driver - or not drinking.
You made the choice to drive while intoxicated. I don't care how harsh I sound - people die from intoxicated drivers. My uncle was killed by one, along with three of his friends, in 1979 two weeks after they graduated from high school. Thousands of people are killed by people making a horrible choice.
And in this day - there are too many options to avoid a DUI. Uber, Lyft, taxi, a designated driver - or not drinking.
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SSG Paul Headlee
1979. I graduated that year too. I was on the wrestling team and at practice I wrestled this other kid a few times. He was really a good kid; polite and courteous, super positive, thought it was cool that I was going in the Army after graduation, etc. He got a little upset with me because I accidentally choked him out in a pinning combination. He was walking home that night after practice because he was too nice to trouble anyone for a ride. A drunk sophomore rolled up behind him and flattened his ass. The team attended the funeral. I'd never done this before and to see his parents and siblings sobbing and just totally miserable really resonated with me. It was tragic and so unnecessary.
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CSM John Mead
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - Having been selected to represent my branch in the combat arms division at DA from '85 through '88, and having the additional duty of sitting on the Qualitative Management Board, I can safely say that SSG Gully will be saying goodbye to the Army. First, while it may take a short while for the UCMJ action to reach DA, a Battalion level Article 15 for the offense, even if it doesn't include demotion, will still be in his packet. All kinds of things may transpire, flagging favorable personnel actions, bar to reenlistment, which ultimately mean no review for SFC. Poor choices lead to disastrous outcomes.
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SSG Brian Wilber
As a SSG, you have likely been in the Army for a few years. On at least 52 occasions every year (safety briefings) you have heard the words, "don't drink and drive" or similar. You may have even spoken those words to the Soldiers you lead. In my opinion, if they don't discharge you, they are dead wrong. You certainly are not fit to lead. I hope it was worth it.
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Lemme get this straight...A SSG displayed such a total lack of responsibility and lack of good judgement they drove while intoxicated and now they want to know if they will be looked at for E-7 and/or retained in the Service? Whether said individual arrived home or was detained by law enforcement personnel is irrelevant.
SSG (Join to see) - I'm going to speak blunt for a minute... Avoiding driving while intoxicated is one of THE easiest offenses to avoid. Given the availability of taxis, Uber, Lyft, Designated Driver programs, etc, etc, etc., frankly I see no reason or excuse to justify such poor decision making and lack of personal accountability in a Soldier who is supposed to BE the example for younger troops just starting out. As a Paramedic, I've seen way more times than I ever wanted the aftermath of someone who chose to operate a motor vehicle after becoming intoxicated (by whatever substance they choose be it alcohol or drugs). Countless families have been shattered forever by someone else's poor choices in life. Pray to whatever deity you cherish you NEVER have to see the things I've seen. Broken bodies are bad enough. Having to tell a family their loved one will never come home because of a drunk driver is worse.
Now, that being said....Everyone makes a total error in judgement now and then. It happens; that's just the reality of life. Will you be retained? Honestly, I don't know. I would hope your Commander would look at the totality of circumstances (past disciplinary actions if any, how long ago, severity, past and present duty performance, etc) before making a final judgement. Unfortunately, we live in a "zero defect" ideology so who knows the final outcome. Are you salvageable? I think probably so depending on your history. Learn from the mistake, grow as an NCO and on a personal level. NEVER let it happen again.
SSG (Join to see) - I'm going to speak blunt for a minute... Avoiding driving while intoxicated is one of THE easiest offenses to avoid. Given the availability of taxis, Uber, Lyft, Designated Driver programs, etc, etc, etc., frankly I see no reason or excuse to justify such poor decision making and lack of personal accountability in a Soldier who is supposed to BE the example for younger troops just starting out. As a Paramedic, I've seen way more times than I ever wanted the aftermath of someone who chose to operate a motor vehicle after becoming intoxicated (by whatever substance they choose be it alcohol or drugs). Countless families have been shattered forever by someone else's poor choices in life. Pray to whatever deity you cherish you NEVER have to see the things I've seen. Broken bodies are bad enough. Having to tell a family their loved one will never come home because of a drunk driver is worse.
Now, that being said....Everyone makes a total error in judgement now and then. It happens; that's just the reality of life. Will you be retained? Honestly, I don't know. I would hope your Commander would look at the totality of circumstances (past disciplinary actions if any, how long ago, severity, past and present duty performance, etc) before making a final judgement. Unfortunately, we live in a "zero defect" ideology so who knows the final outcome. Are you salvageable? I think probably so depending on your history. Learn from the mistake, grow as an NCO and on a personal level. NEVER let it happen again.
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SPC Robin Price-Dirks
I lost a good friend when I was in the Army due to drinking and swimming at his going home party. Because of that and other tragedies we have witnessed my husband and I followed a zero tolerance attitude with our children and ourselves on drinking and driving. It was simple, don't drink and drive. If you do drink call us and no lectures we come get you and your car-we will talk when all parties are sober. If you are with a friend and both of you drink call same thing we will take you and your friend home-no lectures. If your DD drinks call we will again come get you both. We always told them that if they wanted to they could stay in place and just to let us know that by phone so we could sleep. 4 children, no DUI's, no accidents, to this day. We have extended this to friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else we care about. We have a small circle of friends and I don't want to lose a single one that I could have saved. Oh and yes I do drink, I just do it responsibly. Something I didn't do very well in the military. I never drove under the influence although there were a few times I got in trouble for reckless crawling and attempting to walk. Not my greatest hour.........
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1SG (Join to see)
I’m glad the culture in the military has changed. There was a time you could not find a Senior NCO who did not have 1 or more DUI’s.
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MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P
1SG (Join to see) - No kidding! I remember as a new troop, the running joke was you had to have at least one alcohol related A15 to make SNCO.
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PVT Alejandro Rivera
Depends on who you know and who you blow, I know of one SSG who got a DUI in Germany and retired as MSG,no treatment in the military is the same.
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GOMOR. Not gonna get looked at for 7. 75-85% chance (maybe higher) gonna face a QMP. If you do face the QMP, I would guess you have a 75-85% chance of being released. No matter what, the odds are not in your favor.
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