I got a DUI this weekend. What can I expect and what can I do to get through this?

At a minimum, you will receive NJP or a letter of reprimand and a referred NCOER. If you’re lucky, you’ll be retained, but you can forget about being promoted again.

First off admit your mistake when the chain of command gets the report. Be willing to go to rehab training. If someone in the chain of command is willing to write a letter reference your character and performance, ask for it. You will still face consequences, but I have worked with military personnel in this situation, and it was not career ending. In the short term it resulted in one evaluation report with negative comments about the incident, removal from a promotion list and briefings to peers about the impact of DUI on innocent people. Resolve to be a model NCO from now on. If you are struggling seek help from reliable sources. Sincerely, retired military personnel manager

Get into an alcohol treatment program. Depending on your track record, your chain of command may go to bat for you and retain you. Learn from this mistake.

First thing is to understand that you are arrested under the suspicion of DUI. You aren’t guilty until a judge rules you as such. Also know the local law. Some states have a non-adjudication process. Meet the terms and pay the fines and you don’t have it on your record.

Depending on the state you can be acquitted of DUI even if you blow at or over the illegal limit on the intoxilyzer. Likewise, you can be convicted if you blow under.

You try the lawyer route but every DUI I’ve arrested and testified against they didn’t need him because of non-adjudication.

I believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to correct themselves and avoid getting in the same situation again. While there are consequences for bad decisions we may make, it can be far worse to use extreme punishment on a first offense. An individual's history and their overall performance and conduct both on and off duty should most always be considered. The response you possibly expect depends on your immediate supervisor, 1st SGT, or unit commander; whoever was either notified of such incident, or all three in the chain of command. We all have made a bad choice at some point in our career. The best thing to do is learn from it and not put us in a position that will lead to a repeat of the same situation again.

SSG James Gadson, Well SSG, it doesn't look good for you at this moment, a DUI is a DUI, the possibility of being separated from the military are REAL. About a year ago my nephew was a 1st Lt., got popped for a DUI, now he's out of the U.S. Army, he wanted to go the distance and retire like myself, his Dad and Mom, dreams busted, but he moved on, It's on his record, and unfortunately that will following him for the rest of his life. But dig this, "He Moved On" SSG Gadson, as and NCO you what's going to happen, so accept your punishment or fight it if you choose too, make arrangements for your after life in the Army. I feel for you, but you know the deal. NCO's and Officers alike usually are out the door. Hell even 1SG and CSM's booted out. Today is 6 MAR 2022, if I may ask, what's your status SSG Gadson. I was just wondering and take care SSG.

I got one a few years back. Expect to throw away about $4K to an attorney. You’re also going to have a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle. I would find out if the county you’re in has a veteran’s court. I had my case moved over and had to stay sober for a year (had to blow into my breathalyzer 3x/day), attend AA, and monthly court, but after all that it was expunged from my record.

You’re an E6 you’ve been in long enough to know damn well you shouldn’t be drinking and driving. If you have a fuck about your career you wouldn’t have done that. You regret it only because you got caught.

I have been in the same boat, but I was a SPC(p) at the time. I add the (p) because my unit considered me as an NCO at the time, before CPL was a thing. I don’t want to sugar coat for you because that didn’t help me at all, but you are not going to go through an easy patch with this. Depending on the severity and how well you are with you command, you are definitely going to go through all levels of punitive action. From civilian side to military. Civilian side varies from state and military varies by command. Your commander and BC are the ones in charge at the end. You are most likely either going to get an article or a Gomar.

Afghanistan was a poor choice too, who was held responsible for that? Let's ask Pat Tillmans family about poor choices. I am not condoning drunk driving. The question is what is intoxicated, .08?, Really? Did you hit anything? Did you do any property damage? Then there is this victim impact stuff, some poor women lost her daughter in a collision and she is going to tell you it was your fault, you will pay for it. Some people shouldn't be driving after taking an aspirin. The Germans don't seem to have a problem with drunk driving, but then their driver training program is a hell of a lot better than ours. President Bush was convicted of drunk driving and Dick Cheney was caught twice driving home after drinking. The DUI cash cow has not cut down on the 50,000 + humans that perish in collisions every year on American roads and a small percent of those collision involve alcohol. Better driver training would help keep people alive and slowing people down. The manufacturer could help as well, why do we need cars that will accelerate to 120 miles per hour? Drinking and driving has turned into a racket, if it's really about public safety, and I don't believe it is, out law it. Again, I am not suggesting that we should drive drunk at all, don't drink and drive, they are hunting for you. Put a chauffeur on the payroll. Driving is essential, even though they say it's a privilege, you can't get much done if you can't drive, so protect your privilege. I used to enjoy night life my self but the times we live in have changed drastically. Pay your fines take your rank reduction and stop driving after you have one, live to an old age. God bless.