How should the Chain of Command handle a service member with multiple repeat DUIs?

"Goodbye."

My assumption is this individual doesn't care and he/she is a repeat offender. DUI's are handled at the General Officer Level now...for most Army Installations this means that the installation commander or Assist Installation Commander has the duty and responsibility to execute UCMJ Authority for DUI's....this used to be handled at the BN and Brigade Level at one point...The Soldier's Commander probably doesn't want to waste any more resources on this Soldier and the sooner you get rid of him the better....personally if it was an option, I would put him a holding cell until his paper's are signed off by the GO.

These days the tolerance for DUI is Zero and Commanders don't have a cell to throw people in, if they did this would be too easy....if you are a junior soldier E-4 & Below and in some cases a 2LT could possibly have a 2nd chance based on successfully finishing a Command Sponsored Rehabilitation Program (30 Day Inpatient)...

It's pretty obvious that the service member has no regard for authority and could also posibly have a significant alchohol problem...at this point I would keep the wheels turning with the discharge...another posibility is the characterization of Discharge could be upgraded from a General/OTH discharge to a Chapter 10 (Dishonorable Discharge)...which will follow the SM for the rest of his/her life...

I'd try to chapter them out of the military. One DUI? Maybe they're redeemable, if they're a junior enlisted. An NCO or an officer would have to go. Two or more? That's just too problematic, and more indicative of major character flaws. They'd have to go.

I'd like to know your take on this situation. Should this young SM be "dropped off at the blue line" or is there more we should do before discharge? From a Senior Officer's perspective, how do you handle someone who has "given up" on doing the right thing and doesn't "want" help?

Col (Join to see) CAPT Douglas McDonald

Like Highlander if some of you are old enough to remember there can only be one; not multiple DUIs. After the first one some SMs in the Army get a second chance but not very many do nowadays. Getting a DUI in the Army is a good way to getting out of the Army to include officers.

It sounds like this individual has a serious problem and I wonder why he wasn't sent to be evaluated for alcoholism or binge drinking treatment? After the third time before a discharge, he absolutely needs to be evaluated. This is a person who will end up homeless, dead or killing someone else without intervention and knowingly discharging him for multiple alcohol offenses without providing an avenue for treatment means that if anyone gets killed due to his actions upon discharge, a good attorney will access his complete history including military history, and the US Government will be sued for negligence. Somewhere in this story, a large piece is missing. Though the conspiracy theorist in me recently saw a commander do everything in his power to stop a medical board on a individual who was raped and had surgery because he did not believe she was raped and didn't think she deserved VA benefits. Due to his perception of the rape case and a false statement that she made under 12 hours of interrogation, he wanted her to be less than honorably discharged and being medically boarded ruined his discharge plans so it could be the same thing which will ultimately backfire if someone is killed. Court Martial, they are discharging him so it is likely a mute point. Now keep in mind I am also medical with some legal training so I see things a little differently than most. We also have to keep in mind public safety and perception especially in these days of homeless veterans and insufficient VA medical care.

Discharge

Ever since my sister was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver six months ago, I have no tolerance for this sort of behavior.

Did any of you think that there might be more to it then they just got drunk???? Why did they get so drunk? What is the reasoning behind it? If it was just pure ignorance then sure chapter them out. But you first must allow them a chance to attend APAPCP .... If that doesn't work then what more can you do other then a chapter. Everyone has problems and there is only ever one perfect person to walk this earth, Jesus ,,, By the way how many of you text while driving? Talk on a cell phone while driving? Make changes to military equipment without proper request of modifications? Looked for every opportunity to score on a PCS? Not looking for a fight I am just saying.
Oh yea I would say this person has a serious problem or is just fucking stupid.........

Treatment then discharge. I agree that this person has made decisions that have crossed the line for retention in any service, but we have an obligation to any member to make sure they are medically fit when they separate. I'm the last person to make excuses for someone but, who knows what this persons problem is, maybe they are an alcoholic, maybe they are self medicating for some trauma in their life. In my experience we have a good program in place which includes sending them to inpatient treatment if necessary. They shouldn't be allowed any Liberty until they have been to some sort of treatment first you've learned that already. Once they are fit for full duty I'd say that's a good time for a discharge. Not sure what good a Court Martial is going to do? Reduction, confinement and loss of pay isn't good enough? In my opinion a trial and subsequent sentence by court martial is a waste of time and resources when separation is clearly the answer.