With the downsize, should we give Soldiers second chances? Have you received one?

2014-05-01T02:34:53-04:00

Should all Soldiers who screw up not be given a second chance? Now I am not talking about someone who pops hot on a drug test, steals, assault, or other serious offenses, but a simple blotter report? I wonder this for a couple of reasons.

1) If it were not for a CSM back in 99 ripping up my Chapter packet for over weight and telling me I can make the decision when my time to ETS comes 1 1/2 years later, then I have no idea where I would be today. I had marriage issues at the time and was trying to save my marriage and not lose my kids. (I won't go into more detail) The CSM found out why I was trying to get chaptered and gave me a second chance. As fate had it, I got divorced anyway and spent the next years making up for the time I almost ruined my career.

2) I know ALOT of retired CSM and active CSM that screwed up for doing the same stuff Soldiers today are doing and they are OUTSTANDING leaders. Why you ask? I am glad you did... Because they were given second chances and a chance to redeem themselves and make themselves better Soldiers.

3) I have seen first sergeants and CSM's in the past that said I don't care.. Chapter them all.

So, have you ever recieved a second chance? Your thoughts?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 2:40 AM

2014-05-01T02:40:35-04:00

1SG,

As of late with our BN Disbanding (54th EN BN) we have been Chaptering second offenders. So patterns of misconduct and DUIs (CH 9), and Drug users as well. No third chances in my company alone we have Chaptered 13 in 8 months.

V/R

MSG Haro

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 4:37 AM

2014-05-01T04:37:14-04:00

1SG,

I am a firm believer in second chances, and I have seen many Joes take advantage of this and in the process become better Soldiers and people. But, if they screw up the third time, then yes they do deserve to be separated from the Army, because they did not learn their lessons the first two times.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 1 at 2014 5:37 AM

2014-05-01T05:37:42-04:00

1SG Thomas, Excellent question, and thank you for the open dialogue! I agree with you 100% and have seen the same scenarios play out several times over my career. The VAST majority of those given a second chance became much better Soldiers (and people) as a result.
I really hate to hear so many young leaders today stating zero defect, no 2nd chances, etc (yes, there are serious offences, not talking about those either). Good people DO make bad decisions, especially when they are still young.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 7:37 AM

2014-05-01T07:37:27-04:00

Interestingly, my chain of command recently published a "Second Chance Policy" in the form of a Command Policy Memorandum. The Policy essentially states that the Command Group supports "second chances," but not thirds. And that a second chance in some cases, may still include involuntarily separation, but may spare the individual adverse legal action.
The beauty of military command structure is that all of these decisions rest on the command group, who must exercise discretion in every case, as every case is different.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2014 12:26 AM

2014-07-14T00:26:05-04:00

1SG, I agree because some of the NCO's I had in the past fail the drug test but they also redeemed themselves and now they are outstanding NCO's to me. I also heard this saying " You can't be a CSM without get one or two Article 15".