I got a DUI while on leave. What can I expect?

During my tenure in the USARMY especially when I was in Command, DUIs were out of the hands of the Commanders. (Company, BN and Brigade) DUIs were adjudicated at the installation level; yes that means the two-star level; however; the Soldiers Chain of Command has influence in the decision. I would expect a reduction to PFC via a Field Grade AR-15 with Extra Duty and Restriction. Is this the end??? Possibly depends on several factors; Is this the only time you ever been in trouble? even so, I would still expect the AR15 but the severity may be minimized. ALL of us nearly every weekend or holiday receive a Safety Briefing, you probably heard it or even given it a thousand times and YOU KNOW this is a big f-up on your part. The Army used to also have what is called a QMP. Quality Management Point (ie) You must make E-4 by the 6th Year, E-5 buy the 8th, E-6 by the tenth etc...these points change based on the needs of the Army...point I am getting at is if you have been in for a significant time and are reduced by two grades...this can result in a bar to re-enlistment b/c as a result of the AR15 you now fall behind the QMP. Junior Enlisted and even Jr Officers may be able to survive it, but it will still be painful and that is based on the installation policies and procedures. If you truly want to stay in then let your Commanders know that you are truly remorseful and will do whatever it takes to be a good soldier. This may mean take your punishment like a trooper, don't bitch or complain about it, be where you need to be, when you need to be there, PT, Appts, Formations, training, extra duty and any civilian court obligations if there are any. I see that this post is 5 months old...I really would like to hear the outcome. Does anyone know?

well, the very 1st thing you should do is hire a defense Lawyer that has a outstanding reputation in winning DUI cases, if you are able to beat the charges , that can change everything.no DUI Charges no alcohol incident

2nd point To Many service member for get this , we are on duty 24-7 yes this includes when your on leave, we can be called back to work for any reason , on a moment notice, so you should always be ready to answer the call.

I can never say this enough, if you are going out for dinner with the wife, girlfriend, Friends or family, do not even take the risk of drinking alcohol, do not even have one drink, the law enforcement officer will not believe you had just one drink, so just do not drink.

I do not care if you only had two adult beverages, and waited two hours, before driving home after your last drink.
All adult Beverages are not made Equally , so call a cab, uber, friend or family member to take you home, arrange for a designated driver otherwise you will have no military career .

3rd , point, I have been ret now for close to 10 years, thinking back to when I was on Active duty, it was one and done, that is why I recommend never every drinking and driving,
but that was ten years ago, I have been hearing on the news the service is having a very hard time in meeting there recruitment Goals.

this might work in your favor, if you have a clean service record, and this is your 1st major offense , the service just might overlook your situation if you agree to take some Alcohol rehabilitation class . if you are Lucky enough for this to happen do not blow your 2nd chance, also remember sometime in the future when things get fat for the service , they may tell you to retire early, even though you wanted to stay past 20 years, I have seen this happen, if this does happen to you, just be thankful the service let you stay for your 20, just remember they could have sent you home a long time ago.

one more thing, just Remember the Military service is no different than any other Corporation or Big Business, so ensure everything is documented in your service record and medical record, if it not in your service record or medical record, it never happen and the VA will not treat you for this condition or rate disability for your injuries if they are not documented. so ensure everything is up to date and correct in your Medical & service record .

the Military Service & VA will always put the Needs of the Service above yours , if the Service can find a way for Military service and your needs both to be meet, Great! if the needs of the service, and your needs do not meet the service needs they will screw you unless you have it documented

in the commands mind the Military Service always comes 1st . as a employee this should be your mindset also, if you want to ensure you are put 1st by ensuring you are indispensable ,& everything is documented it is that simple if it not documented it never happen. do not get me wrong, if you are Luckily enough to have a good command that can find a way to meet your needs along with the services needs be thankful,

the Goal of any employee is to make him or herself Indispensable to the Service or Company they work for. getting a DUI IS NOT THE WAY TO MAKE YOURSELF INDISPENSABLE, so if Lucky enough to be given a 2nd chance, do not blow it, use it to educate other

dont quit your day job-- when you have a c.d.l. drivers permit and get a moving violation it goes double on your permit because you are expected to know better, should have taken a cab

That really depends. I found myself in the same situation about ten years ago. I knew it would end my career, so I never reported it. I figured if I reported it, I’d get kicked out. If I don’t report it and get caught, I’ll still get kicked out. So I decided not to report it. Took care of all of my court and classes on my own time. When it came time to renew my security clearance, I ran into a few issues but not as bad as reporting my duo Initially. Getting that DUI was a news flash for me. Afterward, I went to school. I earned my degree, got commissioned, and now I mentor sailors.

Go ahead and get out. Your life will be better!

Here is one example of DUI not being a career ender: Captain left Army with DUI in 1993, served in National Guard, returned to Active Duty in 2004 as a Major, then promoted to LTC and COL, still serving as of 2023 May.

Justice

Sorry to hear of this. On base or off base, can make a difference. Get a lawyer and promise to go to alcohol out-patient counseling to keep your job. Do what you have to do to get an Honorable discharge down the road.

Being a junior NCO, you will still be punished. But the penalty may not be as harsh as if you were a staff sergeant or senior. Depending on your MOS, chain of command, NCO support channel, unit operational tempo, and the needs of the Army, you could be facing the end of your career. For instance, you may end up losing your security clearance and THAT can end your career if it's absolutely required for you to have one...such as in an S-2 shop. I'll keep it at that for now.

Have you ever heard of "Double Jeopardy" ?
You will face both...Civilian and UCMJ punishment.
Because military is held to a higher standard.
Get the best lawyer you can get.

(If you're an NCO in an "over strength" MOS....you are "Toast" !!