How much trouble will I get into for getting caught with liquor at 20 yrs old?

2018-07-26T13:28:29-04:00

So I'm 20 years old and will be 21 in a few months
I recently had a surprise room inspection at 2200 on a weekend by my NCOIC of my section. On my dresser I had a small glass filled with whiskey and in the fridge i had one bud light , i also had 1 corona and 1 bud light can in the trash can , I was in my room alone and was not intoxicated ..my NCO made me dump the alcohol out and take my trash out he said i was honest so i was good but than the next day he told my platoon sgt and i got counseled for the incident.... what are the chances of me receiving an article 15 and or having to go to ASAP I'm asking because I'll be 21 soon and would like to drink with friends when that day comes but if I'm stuck in asap than it would ruin those chances , what do yall think???

Response by CDR William Kempner made Jul 26 at 2018 1:54 PM

2018-07-26T13:54:03-04:00

The new military. (sigh) Glad I m NOT in it. I'd have told you not to be dumb, and keep it out of sight. But that's the old school talking. Now?? They'll probably Article 15 you, but if your a decent guy/good soldier and can get someone to speak for you as a mitigating factor at the hearing, you might be able to get a suspended punishment (be good for a certain time and then it gets tossed) You aren't doing anything millions of service members haven't done
You just have to be sneakier!!!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 26 at 2018 2:01 PM

2018-07-26T14:01:03-04:00

I agree with CDR Kempner, I would have chewed you out, told you to keep the crap out of sight. It may be policy to counsel you for the incident, you didn't say written or verbal. I've verbally "counseled" the hell out of a couple of my lieutenants and squad leaders that never appeared in their record.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-07-26T14:12:09-04:00

Yes I defiantly agree with the Commander. I would never punish one of my joes especially for them not being drunk and having only a couple of beers and a glass of whiskey. I would of defiantly chewed your ear off for a little and then told you once you turn 21 we would have some shots together. If you are a good soldier and not a shit bag I don't see why your platoon sgt would take it any higher. But by regulation you could defiantly receive non-judicial punishment but I have never seen a 1sg recommend it unless the person was a shit bag soldier.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 2:15 PM

2018-07-26T14:15:45-04:00

If all you got was a counseling statement, then you're fine. If that counseling statement did not state that you are being recommended for UCMJ action, then they cannot turn around and initiate. That is double jeopardy and IG would have a field day on them for it.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Jul 26 at 2018 3:15 PM

2018-07-26T15:15:38-04:00

Someone will be along to whack your pee pee shortly.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 26 at 2018 4:13 PM

2018-07-26T16:13:50-04:00

That sucks. My CO's used to buy us beer once the duty day ended.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Jul 26 at 2018 4:28 PM

2018-07-26T16:28:54-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Take it from an OOOLLLDDD School SNCO, you are thinking WAAYY to hard about when and where your drinking can and will occur. I get a gut reaction that you may need some Alcohol education at the very least. Irrespective of any punishment or re-training that you may receive, alcohol should NOT occupy this much of your thinking. Now, to your questions: don't concern yourself about the punishment. You cannot stop or impact that decision in any way. You cast that lot when you decided to be a "minor in possession". What you need to keep in mind are two concepts that I always shared with my subordinates:
1. Live by the "don't be a dumbass rule", before you do anything ask yourself this questions: If I do this and it turns out wrong, will someone look at me and say "What a dumbass"? If the answer is anything less than "NO", don't do it.
2. Keep you mistake to learning ratio at a 1:1. 1 mistake equals 1 learning episode. All troops make mistakes. It is when it takes more than one occurrence of the mistake or a great number of occurrences of different mistakes before you learn a lesson, that your bosses will ALWAYS have a problem with you.
In closing, please take a HARD look at your drinking and get some education. I have seen far too many careers lost before they even started because of alcohol. It is NOT worth it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 5:41 PM

2018-07-26T17:41:32-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Drinking carries an obligation to follow the rules, no drinking in the barracks, no drinking while driving, etc. No matter how much trouble you get in with this incident, do not repeat your mistake.

I served with the dinosaurs, and we did not have rooms, but lived in a barracks. As a Sergeant, I would drink at the NCO club and no one carded me, even though I was underage. I would drink, but I would not drive my car after drinking.

Be a responsible drinker, and do not let your buddies get you in trouble.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Jul 26 at 2018 7:11 PM

2018-07-26T19:11:15-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Just a side note, there will ALWAYS be barracks lawyers that know more than your leadership (they really dont). There is some VERY bad advice in the responses below. Hiding it is simply putting things off till they are worse. It really doesn't matter how leadership "used" to handle things. You are in the Army today. Act accordingly and trust your superiors. As long as you earn their trust, you will be able to trust them.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jul 26 at 2018 7:31 PM

2018-07-26T19:31:08-04:00

I cannot wrap my head around being in the army and not being able to drink. Of course, I joined in 1979 and during those days, one could drink at age 18. Depriving a soldier of the privledges of getting pussy and alcohol is just wrong. In fact it is as wrong as two boys fucking in front of a Baptist Church at 11:00 am on Sunday morning.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jul 26 at 2018 9:20 PM

2018-07-26T21:20:34-04:00

I'm glad you didn't use that statement everyone else does, "if you're old enough to go to war, you're old to drink!"

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 27 at 2018 12:54 AM

2018-07-27T00:54:47-04:00

Yes, it is a violation of the UCMJ and most state laws... Underage Drinking... The disposition all depends facts and circumstances, and then on your service record and performance and whether you have any other violations.

Under the provision of Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice:
It is unlawful for any soldier under the age of Twenty one to lawfully purchase, possess, provide, or consume alcoholic beverages in this Country or the Commonwealth of Virginia. Therefore, until you have attained the legal age of twenty one, you will not purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages while a member of this command. And if you are over the age of twenty one you will not purchase or provide alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of twenty one. Failure to abide by this lawful order shall be considered a violation of Article 92, of the UCMJ, and may be subject to non-judicial punishment under the provision of Article 15.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 27 at 2018 8:53 AM

2018-07-27T08:53:39-04:00

1. You were stupid. 2. If the PSG counseled you then you know what courses of action he said he would take. 3. If he didn't say you were going up for an Art 15, then you are ok. 4. Instead of worring about drinking with friends, I would be worried about keeping your stripes and money!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-07-27T11:49:29-04:00

Never had experience with ASAP or underage drinking, but the first thing is that it was very stupid and irresponsible to have any amount of alcohol in your possession since you're underage. With that said, as a leader I'd make you write a letter on the dangers of drinking and why there's a minimum age for alcohol. I wouldn't recommend any NJP or ASAP since you weren't under the influence and you were honest about it, but I would give you a negative counseling and leave it at that unless it becomes a consistent problem.

Response by SPC Charlie Robinson made Jul 27 at 2018 7:03 PM

2018-07-27T19:03:22-04:00

I came out of the 60s, we didn't have this problem. At least not in our battalion.

Response by MSgt Michael Lane made Jul 27 at 2018 7:25 PM

2018-07-27T19:25:52-04:00

Alcohol is the biggest killer of military careers. You a evey soldier enlisted or officer should ask the question do I want to get drunk with my friends or have a military career. Sildom do the two go together.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jul 28 at 2018 6:11 AM

2018-07-28T06:11:45-04:00

Well, gee. First, since you are underage, you broke several laws before the stuff ever made it to your billet. You don't say where you were, but if you were in the sandbox, you have Gen Order 1 to contend with ( is that still in effect?). So, PFC Hansen, take your 12 lashes and learn from it. Think! Use your brain before you kill the brain cells. For what it's worth, in college and as a young company grade officer, I drank like a fish. Different days, though. The 80s were a continuous party. These days, I can barely finish 2 beers before I nod off.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Jul 29 at 2018 12:26 PM

2018-07-29T12:26:45-04:00

Msgt Stephen Council has the best advice I’ve seen. That said, really!? We had beer machines in the day room during basic training at Ft Polk. I was 17 and had been for a few weeks. For a quarter I could buy a beer and drink it in front of anyone... (but that was 1972). When I got to my PDS on Ft Bragg our Plt Leader (1st Lt) and squad leaders (E6) would play cards (poker I think) and get drunk in the squad leaders room. I can’t remember why I was there but I do remember I was just observing... (still in 1972). I figured it was normal and happened everywhere but I’m not so sure now. These guys had been in Vietnam for at least one tour. I never did go to Vietnam. Times have changed.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 28 at 2019 9:50 AM

2019-06-28T09:50:05-04:00

Part of me (90%) wants to say "Holy shit - WTF happened to the Army?" however the older wiser me (10%) says - " Don't be a dumb-ass". I'm sure all will work out fine - just keep out of trouble and don't hold a grudge against your leadership - believe it or not they are actually trying to teach you a lesson in accountability in all this.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2019 12:35 PM

2019-09-09T12:35:11-04:00

You'll get in just the right amount of trouble. Worrying about it is half the punishment. If you did something wrong accept responsibility, learn from it, and move on without making the same mistake again.

Response by COL William Oseles made Aug 8 at 2020 1:11 PM

2020-08-08T13:11:29-04:00

You knew you could not legally have alcohol and probably cannot by tobacco products where you are.
You have been counseled for your actions.
Actually the counseling was a favor as that tends to be the end of your 'disciplinary' action.
Just don't do something stupid in the future.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 8 at 2020 3:20 PM

2020-08-08T15:20:01-04:00

Nah, he should just give you a bit of shit details fir a week , so lesson learned. That not 15 worthy imo.

Response by SrA Chris Livingston made Aug 8 at 2020 8:41 PM

2020-08-08T20:41:09-04:00

Not sure of today. 1980. Overseas. Active duty. No restrictions. You screw up. You pay for it. Everyone was given a ration card for liquor and cigarettes. At the LIK in the dorm, outside the orderly room, a beer machine. From basic on up smoke breaks, when they moved file cabinets you could see what the original paint color was. We used ashes to clean the grease pencil off of checklists. I understand the health and readiness concerns today and thus the restrictions. Has the military become an extension of high school with uniforms and ranks and some with guns? When you lived a few minutes from Armageddon, beer and smoke was not a big deal. Boomer out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2021 5:17 PM

2021-01-22T17:17:47-05:00

Go to the area defense counsel for these questions, they’ll educate you on how to defend yourself. More often than not they’ll neuter your command which in my experience almost always needs it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2021 10:18 PM

2021-05-21T22:18:37-04:00

You got counseled. That’s it. Think of it more as a “we’re covering our ass in case you have a real problem, and this is the early warning sign we would have missed”

Your NCOs did you a favor, but are also keeping their integrity. Quit the drinking until you’re 21, that way they know they can trust you, and they understand that you know how much they just stuck their necks out for you.

Response by SGT Robert Payne made Aug 10 at 2021 11:48 AM

2021-08-10T11:48:57-04:00

Personally I think your section leader had some concerns about your drinking. Ask yourself is he right?

Response by SFC David Johnson made Aug 10 at 2021 2:06 PM

2021-08-10T14:06:29-04:00

If your NCOIC said you were good, then shut the hell up and don’t question him. Most like he he will take the heat round for you but he has to cover his ass and counsel you in case there is a “next time”.

Response by SGM Mike Swartz made Aug 10 at 2021 10:38 PM

2021-08-10T22:38:55-04:00

Literally put a beer vending machine in the barracks when I was stationed in Germany