How will a summarized Article 15 follow/ impact me?

2023-02-24T09:26:02-05:00

Long story short I had my 9mm under my seat during MLK weekend when I went out of town. Im pretty good at taking it out of my vehicle when I return home but I had some other errand to run that day & forgot. It was also unregistered on post because I never take my guns on post & dont live there.

Well, a friend called & needed help on Monday the 16th, the last day of the weekend. I picked him up & was giving him a ride on post when we got sent to random inspection (myself still not remembering I have a gun under my seat). They find it, I facepalm, they call MPs, I get booked at the MP station & get 4 charges. All related to the weapon being in the truck, loaded, concealed, etc.

This is my first disciplinary action of any kind & I was just notified for the first time since, that I will be receiving a summarized article 15 & still have to attend a court hearing & likely be given a hefty fine.

How will this follow me?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 24 at 2023 11:07 AM

2023-02-24T11:07:41-05:00

Well, the good news is that you won't get fined for a Summarized Article 15, 14 days extra duty and 14 days restriction are the Maximum. You can be given an Oral Reprimand. The next good news is that it goes away after two years or you PCS from that duty station.

Summarized Article 15 are for minor offenses that were stupid on your part, but not serious. It's a slap on the wrist and don't do this anymore.

A Company Grade or Field Grade for an E-5 or above can be career enders in some cases.

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2018/January/NJP/

NJP

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 24 at 2023 11:20 AM

2023-02-24T11:20:27-05:00

I wouldn't worry half as much about the Summarized Art 15 as I would worry about my future with firearms. A facepalm isn't nearly as a meaningful consequence as getting shot in the ass. Bearing arms is just as much a responsibility as it is a right. Not everyone is up to it...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2023 12:58 PM

2023-02-24T12:58:54-05:00

This may follow you for the rest of your career. Although having something this remedial should not hinder you career very much. With something like this you have bully won't be able to be a drill sergeant or recruiter. Keep on mind that the times change. I have seen the only downsize in the past and anybody with anything derogatory or the first ones to go. This does add an additional risk to your career. Only time will tell. I have seen people make CSM with worse then a summarized.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 24 at 2023 2:27 PM

2023-02-24T14:27:40-05:00

Cpt. Cable is correct regarding the level of UCMJ, you imply a civilian court, that being the case the punishment may be higher and Cary more penalty. This may effect your security access, which can impede your service. If you are headed off post for Court get a lawyer.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2023 1:26 PM

2023-02-25T13:26:28-05:00

The Summarized Article 15 will not follow you. At least, it shouldn't be in your file. Those are supposed to stay local to the unit of issue. What will follow you is if anything from this incident gets put on your NCOER.

Response by PO1 Roger Waddle made Feb 25 at 2023 2:23 PM

2023-02-25T14:23:52-05:00

I am going to reply to your post: after you read it and get pissed read it again until you understand.
What you did was a huge fk up imo
At least a toddler didn't find it and kill itself.
NOW WITH THAT SAID
let's discuss how to turn chicken shit into chicken salad!
Sign up for every single firearm safety handling courses you can find both government and civilian ON THE INSTRUCTOR LEVEL. and excell in these .

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Feb 26 at 2023 4:57 AM

2023-02-26T04:57:42-05:00

I would be more concerned about that court hearing you reference with the hefty fine. Since this happened on post and the Military doesn’t appear to have assumed jurisdiction (NJP doesn’t count), my guess is those four charges are being referred to the Federal District Court that has jurisdiction over that installation. It is probable that a least one of those charges could be a felony and a felony conviction could result in a discharge for misconduct.