Can a DUI be overcome?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 17:51:14 -0400

As an E5? I don't think my command is going to kick me out. I'm inna rotation right now an im mission essential. I talked with my 1sgnand he think ima just get a reprimand from the CG but no article 15 or separation. Is it possible to stay in and still make career out the Army? How hard will it be for security clearance and trying to get rank passed E6?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2021 6:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 18:29:58 -0400

You might lose your clearance and thus your MOS, but that's a separate matter. As a SGT you can definitely overcome a DUI. It will certainly slow your career a bit, you'll probably never commission and there are career enhancing opportunities you'll never receive, but it's not a death sentence to you. In a few years you can request to have the GOMOR moved to your restricted file and the promotion board will never really see it. But it will put you a few years behind your peers and you will probably never become a SGM.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Aug 21 at 2021 7:17 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 19:17:08 -0400

I knew an E5 who got a DUI, got busted down to E4. Got his stripes back, made it to E7, got another DUI because he didn't take alcohol seriously. It's not a career killer for you, but I would hope it's a wake-up call to make better decisions in life and not put yourself in situations in which your lack of judgment shows.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 21 at 2021 7:24 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 19:24:20 -0400

Why are there so many posts of soldiers getting DUIs?????? Why??? I've made clear my opinion on people who get a DUI but damn people. C'mon. Why take that risk? The risk to not just your career but the other people on the road.

IF you don't lose your clearance over this, I'll be 100% surprised. As of right now, your access should have been suspended, along with your SCI access if you're read on to SCI right now. So that takes you out of being "mission essential" until this is all said and done and a final 5248-R is submitted. I also will be surprised if you don't lose your clearance because the top 3 reasons people lose access and their clearance are financial delinquency, alcohol incidents and drugs.

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Aug 21 at 2021 7:39 PM

A1C Chris Pointer — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 19:39:28 -0400

Idk what's going on in the Army, but a SGT getting a DUI without AT LEAST an NJP? I can't imagine that would set a good example especially considering how consistently it's said don't drink and drive and how easy it is not to do.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 21 at 2021 8:16 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 20:16:41 -0400

Probably... should it? No, you lack judgment. There are a ton of ways to get home after drinking, and the fact you chose none of them shows me you don't have it to go further.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2021 8:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 20:58:40 -0400

Personally? Oh course. Professionally? Perhaps.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 21 at 2021 9:03 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 21:03:07 -0400

My question is, what are you going to do different? Getting a DUI is a major fuck up and can ruin you both in the military and civilian sector, so what is in your plans moving forward to do different? Dont cherry coat it, I have been lit plenty of times as an officer and still question a couple Oktoberfests in Munich how I managed the subway to get to my hotel. You must start with a plan today that this never happens and never drinking is not a plan.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2021 10:00 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 22:00:27 -0400

I’m just amazed in this day and age how a military member gets a DUI. Uber, lyft, battle buddies, sober ride programs near military posts, etc.. plenty of options to get home without driving drunk.

Plenty of drill weekends I’ve told all the troops if they need a lift not to drive and I would work to get them home safely if they chose to drink.

Response by SPC Tim K made Aug 21 at 2021 11:22 PM

SPC Tim K — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 23:22:48 -0400

I remember when I was in the Army (88-92) I was one of very few E1-E4's in my units who were not drinkers. For most of the lower enlisted in the units I was in, it seemed to be their goal in life to make it through the week and go out and get totally blasted on the weekends. I never saw the appeal.
When I was in Korea, a guy in my unit nearly died from coming back to the barracks, passing out, and vomiting. Luckily a roommate of his came in and helped him in time. Sure, I tried drinking a few times, but it tasted so horrible I couldn't see how this was fun. So I simply didn't do it. Then again, since I grew up with a father who was a big beer drinker, seeing how he would act after half a case of beer put me off of alcohol quite effectively. I don't think I've ever missed out on anything by not getting drunk every weekend of my life. If anything, I am proud of the fact that alcohol and cigarettes mean absolutely nothing to me, and I don't need them to have a good time.

As for Sergeant Jamal, if it were up to me he would be SPECIALIST Jamal real quick. As others have said, with Uber and Lyft and many other ways of getting around, there's no excuse for a DUI and I have damn little tolerance for drunks.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2021 12:16 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 00:16:18 -0400

Yes it absolutely is possible, I've seen Soldiers make a complete turn around and get their rank back after getting knocked with a field grade NJP. The question is, how much effort do you want to put in.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 22 at 2021 1:36 AM

SPC James Neidig — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 01:36:50 -0400

With the way You are Disrespecting People on Here and NOT Listening to to Advice, It’s No Shock You Got A DUI , in My Day we Had A Solution for People Like You it’s Called 6-6 and a KICK, that’s What You Deserve, just to Clarify That Term it Means 6 months in jail 6 months Forfeited Pay and A BCD !!!!!

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Aug 22 at 2021 10:10 AM

SGT Robert Wager — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 10:10:00 -0400

I have never heard of an NCO getting a DUI and not getting at least a field grade and a GOMAR.

Can you overcome this? Yes. It will require contrition and a willingness to learn from your incredible lack of judgement. As an NCO what would be your recommendation for one of your soldiers getting a DUI? Read your promotion orders to sergeant again, pay particular attention to that part where it say special trust and confidence in your demonstrated leadership potential. Now ask yourself does risking the lives of every other person on the road by drinking and driving demonstrate leadership? What should the consequences be?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 22 at 2021 12:01 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 12:01:45 -0400

Son, you're worryin' 'bout a rubber after she's already pregnant.

The way to overcome a DUI is to stop being a f'kin idiot and not get one in the first place.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2021 1:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 13:34:41 -0400

You stand a better chance that the SSGs that have been posting here. You're still a dumbass for drinking and driving, but you can recover....albeit painfully. At least, your recovery should be painful. Personally, if I were your BN CSM, I would recommend to the BN CDR to have you research every single DUI from your base and then give a base wide class brief on why you shouldn't be that damn stupid and how one can actually get safe rides. If you don't lose rank, I will be surprised.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Aug 22 at 2021 10:27 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 22:27:58 -0400

Based on the background given on your question, yes. But it depends on how hard they want to hammer you. As a junior soldier, it'd probably be easier for you leadership to sweep this under the rug (as I've seen so many leadership teams do). But you're a sergeant. You're an NCO. A g--damn leader! Which means you should m---erf---ing know better! Moreover, don't think that just because you're 'mission essential' that they won't separate you. You can have your Ranger tab, Master Parachutist Wings, and a bunch of other cool stuff AND STILL get the ax. Best of luck to you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2021 12:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:59:38 -0400

Can a dui be overcome? Yeah, of course. Every command is different in how they respond to soldiers acting wild.
But you are absolutely mistaken. There isn’t a single E5 in the Army that can’t be replaced at any time. Heck, there isn’t an O10 that isn’t replaceable. Thinking you’re just TOO essential to be let go is the only reason the Army needs to burn you down, especially if they’re pissed at you.
Good luck with your situation.

Response by CPL Adam Schoenwald made Aug 23 at 2021 11:33 AM

CPL Adam Schoenwald — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:33:10 -0400

Although SFC Kelly Fuerhoff and I rarely see eye to eye on things, this one I have to back him on. Dude you're an NCO, you should know better. With that being said, after a huge but kickin, loss of rank and privilege's can you bounce back? Of course you can, but you are gonna have to work hard at it. You may not get a job at the Pentagon or be having lunch with the POTUS but every soldier can bounce back if they really want to. But continued mess-ups like this will certainly fast-track you to dishonorable discharge and even jail time so put the keys or away or the booze down.

Aside from that, how can you expect to lead a team if the team leader is tore up from the floor up. Clean up your act, get help if you need it as there are services on base that can help you. But don't put anyone else at risk for your poor choices.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Aug 23 at 2021 1:19 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:19:08 -0400

I'll be honest: Alcohol is now your enemy. Kill it. Have nothing to do with it. You have a decision to make: What's more important, alcohol or your career? You may have only one. Choose wisely.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Aug 28 at 2021 7:16 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 07:16:17 -0400

What’s harder making a career out of the military or keeping your dumb ass from getting into trouble thank about.