Posted on Jan 7, 2014
Article 15s, Reduction in rank, What is your take, were you involved in reductions?
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<p>From a personal standpoint I had a roommate who was busted from Sergeant to Airman First Class. There were a few reasons for this Article 15 but his personal hygiene and the way his locked smelled, made the Squadron Commander irate.</p><p><br></p><p>After he lost his rank I felt quite odd. In one sense very sad for him because loss of any kind is not pleasant for anyone. I could have imagined his embarrassment and shame. His bust was temporary but left an odd sensation with me.</p><p><br></p><p>Have you ever had to report a troop that resulted in their bust and what were your feelings?</p>
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Article 15
Article 15
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I'm sure all Commanders have to bust people down some times. It sucks. For everyone involved. By the time it gets to the Commanders desk, the Soldier has generally "learned their lesson," but the punishment must still go on.
When a Commander holds the future of a Soldier in their hands, it is a very solemn time.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Okay that is what I was feeling for, since the value of human life is considered in the equation.
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SSG (Join to see)
in most cases, a Soldier wont learn their lesson until they actually get their punishment because more often than not they have gotten away with something so many times they feel untouchable, that little slap on the a.. wrist.. is what they need.
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SGT Mitch McKinley
I would agree the majority of the time...but I have also seen other situations where there was no established pattern of negative behavior, but the A15 went forward anyway, reduction took place and careers ruined or harmed, with little to no regard to any of this by the CoC.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
SGT Patrick Yeager I respect your opinion, but, I think it would be difficult for a Commander to go two years and NEVER have to administer UCMJ punishment. There's a time and a place for corrective training, but sometimes, it's not a training issue, it's an integrity or ethical or moral issue and requires a hammer be used. Maybe some Commanders have a company where all the Soldiers are great and never step over the line. Good for them.
For me, I had times when I felt that the Soldier absolutely deserved the punishment I gave them. And while I was sure it was just, justice doesn't always wear a happy face.
Anytime a Commander administers UCMJ it should absolutely be a solemn time. Judge, jury and executioner are bit hats to wear lightly. It there isn't a sense of gravity and morbidity to a UCMJ event, it's probably not worth UCMJ'ing.
Now, I never said that a Commander must always busy someone down. I gave more second chances and suspended sentences than maybe I should have, but I did it because I felt it was the right thing to do.
Every Commander is responsible for how they administer justice. I'm just giving how it was for me, being on that side of the table. Other do it other ways and mat just throw the book at people. To me, that's lazy. I read each case, and each piece of evidence over and over. I read the Soldier's side and listened to their story as well. I always erred on the side of the Soldier if there was any doubt.
For me, I had times when I felt that the Soldier absolutely deserved the punishment I gave them. And while I was sure it was just, justice doesn't always wear a happy face.
Anytime a Commander administers UCMJ it should absolutely be a solemn time. Judge, jury and executioner are bit hats to wear lightly. It there isn't a sense of gravity and morbidity to a UCMJ event, it's probably not worth UCMJ'ing.
Now, I never said that a Commander must always busy someone down. I gave more second chances and suspended sentences than maybe I should have, but I did it because I felt it was the right thing to do.
Every Commander is responsible for how they administer justice. I'm just giving how it was for me, being on that side of the table. Other do it other ways and mat just throw the book at people. To me, that's lazy. I read each case, and each piece of evidence over and over. I read the Soldier's side and listened to their story as well. I always erred on the side of the Soldier if there was any doubt.
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There are too many other ways out there to fix problems besides recommending UCMJ and involving the Commander. My view, if a punishment makes it to my desk I will at a minimum suspend a reduction for 180 days.
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Anytime I saw the Art 15 that involved losing rank, the servicemember was given the chance to change the behaviors but chose not to. Was it harsh? It isn't easy seeing someone that has a family depend on that paycheck lose much needed money, BUT at the same time, there has to be consequences to thier actions and they should of thought about that before they acted stupid.
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