What actions are expected after lying to E-5 and E-6?

2022-07-11T14:15:51-04:00

Lied to my E-5 about being in the hospital when I was suppose to sign out on leave. So I was suppose to sign out after 12am on that day but didn’t due to me having a severe flare up. I had only been in this unit for a week (recent pcs) and didn’t want to explain to them that I had been home the entire night sick and forgot to sign out. When my E-5 called the last thing I had on my mind was signing out when I was in pain and tired, so when she asked me why I didn’t sign out I panicked and lied. Now I’m not sure what’s next because they’re asking for paperwork but I’m tempted to just come clean.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2022 2:34 PM

2022-07-11T14:34:40-04:00

So, you were in pain and tired which caused you to NOT sign out after midnight? Last I checked, a Soldier does not have to sign out at 0001 hours the day they are to start Leave so long as they sign out on that day prior to work call. Unless, of course, there is a local policy dictating you are to sign out at 0001 hours. Now, on to the issue at hand.

You lied to your NCO as to why you didn't sign out. You lied to your NCO as to your location regarding why you didn't sign out. So, you provided false statement.

I HIGHLY suggest you come clean and admit to your NCOs that you lied to them as to why you didn't sign out. Now, you could possibly face UCMJ for violating Article 91 and Article 134. Or, you could possibly face just a verbal reprimand. Either way, a Counseling needs to be done. I say this because the truth will eventually come out that you were not in the hospital.

Again, the issue is not that you didn't sign out when you were "supposed to," but that you lied to your NCOs.

Come clean. Tell the truth. Take the lumps that come.

Response by SPC Joel Butler made Jul 11 at 2022 2:44 PM

2022-07-11T14:44:40-04:00

Just come clean. The longer this goes on the worse it'll get. As for what punishment you can expect - I'm not sure. In my time, this *probably* wouldn't have risen to Article 15 territory but I could certainly be wrong about that. Just take whatever you get as a lesson-learned and move on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2022 3:30 PM

2022-07-11T15:30:40-04:00

You are a NCO yourself, how would you react and feel if one of your soldiers did the same to you? Come clean and deal with it... Army Values and all, I guess...

And above all, we all make mistakes, just learn from this one and move on!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2022 5:16 PM

2022-07-11T17:16:31-04:00

Lies are like old fish in that they only get more noticeable with age. This is literally one of the simplest and easiest to fix things in the world. You're in the Infantry, accept your screw up, do the push-ups, and move forward with life. When you become a more experienced NCO you'll realize that everyone around you is screwing up constantly and your job is to keep them all from accidentally killing themselves by eating lead paint chips or marrying strippers and then moving them into the barracks. Forgetting to sign out on leave is a 1 out of 10 on the screw up scale.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 11 at 2022 5:43 PM

2022-07-11T17:43:03-04:00

So wait - you didn't go to the hospital but you said that you did go to the hospital? Why? Why didn't you just say "SGT I didn't sign out because I had a medical issue." It's not a big deal. I'm not sure why you didn't tell them "Hey I'm having this medical issue, I don't think it's bad enough to go to the hospital yet but I can't make it to staff duty to sign out."

I mean you just posted this on a public forum so they could easily find out. Just tell them what actually happened and go from there. All you're going to do is make it worse if you keep lying. At most you get a counseling for it.

Who said you have to sign out after 12 am for leave? There's nothing that says that at all.The only time I have ever signed out right after midnight is when I had a super early flight.

The sooner you tell the truth, the less harsh the consequences.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2022 5:59 PM

2022-07-11T17:59:31-04:00

In the Army you are NOT SICK OR INJURED if it is not documented.

Your NCO's need your signature on the sign out with proper documentation because your S1 needs that signature, and your S1 needs that because your commander needs that signature and your commander needs that signature because the whole system needs that signature.

This isn't going to get swept under the rug. One can't lie about things that need documentation from others

Come clean ASAP as hopefully this can be handled at the 1SG level. Who knows what 1SG will do, but he can't take rank and pay. If it gets to the Commander that's were its going to go.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 11 at 2022 6:30 PM

2022-07-11T18:30:58-04:00

Come clean and explain why.
Lying is a poor example to your troops. Do not lie to them nor lie to peers or superior ranks. You said, "because they’re asking for paperwork but I’m tempted to just come clean.", that implies that otherwise you would not be considering telling the truth.
I do know the CO's I had when I was active would simply reduce you back to SPC/E4. They might have taken a stripe, busting you back to PFC/E3. It's their option, not yours, usally depending on how much you lie or fail to own your error.
When you arrived at your unit, trust was given as a professional courtesy as they did not know you. You have made a serious error. Regardless of the outcome, You will have to earn the trust of your Chain of Command back before you can go on with your career. As you progress you will face the same situation from the other side. Remember this life lesson, in or out of the military.

Response by SSgt Steve Lofquist made Jul 12 at 2022 12:36 AM

2022-07-12T00:36:29-04:00

Your health is more important than your E5's hurt feelings

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Jul 12 at 2022 10:55 AM

2022-07-12T10:55:43-04:00

Tell them what was going on.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Jul 12 at 2022 10:56 AM

2022-07-12T10:56:08-04:00

Honesty is always the best policy.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2022 3:29 PM

2022-07-12T15:29:12-04:00

Thank you to everyone that replied, I eventually came clean and dealt with the consequences.