Busted down to E-3 for drug trafficking, then picks up E-7? Should this be allowed?

2014-04-10T16:31:16-04:00

So, I just reviewed the results from the board and I am very
upset.....I personally know that one of the NCO on this roster was busted from E-5P to E-3
for one of the largest drug trafficking rings on Fort Leonard Wood history!!
Someone please tell me how in a Army that’s is downsizing and every ppt show
from some CSM at some level says that only the best and brightest will be
retained, how on God's green earth did this guy make SFC!?!?!?! Where is the
standard????? How was this guy not red tagged prior to the board!!!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 10 at 2014 5:07 PM

2014-04-10T17:07:54-04:00

And we wonder why our Army is trending the way that it is.....

Response by SGT James Elphick made Apr 10 at 2014 6:17 PM

2014-04-10T18:17:40-04:00

Sounds like someone kissed the right ass to get that thrown out of their file

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 10 at 2014 6:47 PM

2014-04-10T18:47:59-04:00

This goes back to all of us (all of us - at every level) doing the right thing, all the time!  Do you know of a Soldier that was passed along (regardless of rank) that needs repair of some sort, whether an inflated evaluation report, fat, failed physical fitness test, fail to document performance and etc.?  That is a huge part of the problem, but trust me, there are traps in place to catch these folks - sometimes (unfortunately) it takes longer than expected (or wanted.)  I sent you a connect request....with a "I can help you" category....I recommend you make contact, if this situation really is as you claim, then it could be corrected but you better do your homework.  To put someone on blast without being to back it up is a bad thing, now the shoe is on the other foot, YOUR turn to act - you must act if you want this squashed else, you are just as much part of the problem.  The ball is in your court!

Response by SN Steven Fast made Apr 10 at 2014 7:08 PM

2014-04-10T19:08:36-04:00

Should have gotten busted down out of the Army for the drug trafficking. I have a friend that came back from Christmas leave that got thrown out of the Navy in 1994 for failing a urinalysis.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2014 8:49 PM

2014-04-10T20:49:56-04:00

That person should have been kicked out of the Army, that is not acceptable behavior at all. Getting busted down in rank is not enough of a punishment for drug trafficking, people get kicked out for using drugs let alone distributing them. Clearly there is some corrupt leadership.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2014 8:58 PM

2014-04-10T20:58:04-04:00

Here is one for you. SM receives a GOMAR for domestic violence and for being removed from ASAP for failure to stay sober. 14 months later he makes the E-7 list.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 10 at 2014 9:53 PM

2014-04-10T21:53:59-04:00

This isn't a big Army issue...(if this story is accurate) it's the failed leadership during and after these offenses.

No matter the timing, drug trafficking should not be a recoverable offense.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2014 10:10 PM

2014-04-10T22:10:50-04:00

I don't understand. I thought drug trafficking was a felony... How did he stay in?
Making e7 should have been nothing but a fantasy. He should have been in jail...

I'm lost...

Response by SFC Lamont Womack made Apr 10 at 2014 10:15 PM

2014-04-10T22:15:59-04:00

I personally believe there is more to this story then what you may know. I highly doubt the Army would keep any Soldier in the Army that was found to be trafficking drugs; which I'm pretty sure is a felony offense.

Now I'm not taking up for this Soldier but I know for a fact many investigations that were started on a particular subject (in this case drug trafficking) have uncovered other violations of UCMJ. Just because this Soldier was busted after an investigation regarding drug trafficking does not mean he or she was actually trafficking drugs. The investigation could have uncovered they falsified documents, committed fraud waste and abuse, lied on a sworn statement... etc. There are various charges that this NCO could have faced that would have resulted in his or her demotion.

I personally would not judge that NCO unless I have actually seen the results of some type of official investigation stating drug trafficking accusations against this individual was substantiated.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2014 10:31 PM

2014-04-10T22:31:20-04:00

Not surprised! I know several people who got DUI's and were never punished and still got promoted to the next rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 8:18 AM

2014-04-11T08:18:19-04:00

Glass houses people......

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Apr 11 at 2014 9:43 AM

2014-04-11T09:43:59-04:00

The only thing that I can think of (obviously not having all of the facts) is that since the comment was "largest drug bust": that individual may have been caught up in the net that was a large group of folks, and was only a minimal player-as in perhaps "use". I do not think that he/she was a "major player" in the case, and that info probably came out during the investigation. The penalty thus was the loss of one stripe, and the troop quite possibly could have made a great turnaround. I have definitely seen many in my career take a "hit" and recover and become very successful.

The key to coming to grips with seeing a name that you know on a promotion list and you are aware of "some" of their past, is to realize that unless you have all the facts-which we rarely do, judgement is a dangerous thing. What if everyone judged us based on the limited information they had about the events in our lives. Having been involved in the "system" for a long time, I have come to the realization that while not perfect, it is our "system" and we have to have some modicum of faith that our system works. Sometimes it does....sometimes not so much. Sometimes I am happy with the results, sometimes disgusted. Just the way it goes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-04-11T14:25:39-04:00

I got an answer. CSM Uhlig hit the nail on the head in his first sentence. I
have asked four CSM and all four repeated the same thing. What happened most likely
is his original paperwork for the UCMJ never made it to his restricted file
which in turn would have turned on the red light for the board. Second, being
that SFC Boards only go back 36 months for NCOER review that history would not
have be shown. Third, assignment history can be changed by a PVT in your S-1.
We all know that. Last, even if the documents were forwarded to a restricted
file the board members by no means are required to open and review that file.

BL, I may never know what is in the file or what was given to the board. I
trust that my seniors have done everything in accordance with the board POI. I
had to ask because I’m sure that every SSG that wasn’t picked up is asking what
happened. It just makes me raise my eye brow.

Thanks for all the input!!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 1:10 PM

2014-04-12T13:10:26-04:00

I agree with the very first question ever asked on here... How in the hell did anyone allow this to happen? What does this show and tell our current and future soldiers? My understanding was the Army had a NO TOLERANCE when it came to drugs, so the person mentioned, should not have even been allowed to stay in the service! WHat is this Army coming to?

Response by PO2 Kristofer Pearson made Apr 12 at 2014 5:22 PM

2014-04-12T17:22:03-04:00

He is in the right demographic? Maybe he's boys with someone who matters?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 2:22 AM

2014-06-26T02:22:34-04:00

Unfortunately someone failed to do their job (or many people did). Its a flawed system to say the least.

Response by 1LT A. Uribe made May 12 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-05-12T23:54:09-04:00

I would contact CID and the IG, as a leader I would never allow a drug trafficker get away with this.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2019 10:05 PM

2019-04-06T22:05:09-04:00

In my 11 years in the Army, the one thing I have learned is that the lowered recruiting standards have led us to a gutted force with the worst people in our population serving in the Army. Truly worst individual I ever worked with is now a 1SG. Lack of morals, disgusting immoral individuals. Truly reprehensible. I'll be glad to be retired and away from this cesspool soon.