If a SM attempts suicide and reports the attempt while on AD, do they get chaptered out?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:18:39 -0500

I'm curious and haven't found the answer doing a preliminary search.

I wonder if anyone has any experience on this with their AD soldiers, marines, sailors, or airmen?

What would their RE code be? Would it be a General Under Honorable?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 12:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:22:36 -0500

I hate shooting from the hip without checking a reg. If I had to guess I would say it would depend on the underlying issue, time in service, character of service etc as to whether they'd discharge. As to nature of discharge, I think the default would be a general. They would almost certainly be barred from ever re-entering if they were discharged.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 11 at 2015 6:44 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 06:44:52 -0500

I know of 2 folks that have attempted this in the AF and neither were admin separated after inpatient treatment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 6:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 06:55:09 -0500

There's a lot of "ifs" when it comes to this. A lot of it is based on the shrinks. If PTSD is involved any chapter will fall under medical and the sm might end up with honorable and disability.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 7:35 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 07:35:59 -0500

I just finished commenting on a suicide post. I can tell you what I know from my experiences at the battalion level.

If a Soldier attempts suicide or has suicidal thoughts they are referred to behavioral health for treatment. Depending on the seriousness they may be admitted for inpatient treatment or released to the unit for outpatient treatment. The unit is absolutely not capable of caring for this Soldier 24 hours a day if the threat is very serious that the Soldier will take their life.

You can initiate the paperwork for separation but it usually takes behavioral health to say the Soldier is unfit for continued military service. This can take awhile because behavioral health will want to continue to treat the Soldier.

Once it is determined the Soldier is no longer fit for service the separation is usually a Chapter 13 for reasons of impact to good order and discipline. The separation is usually honorable but I am pretty sure the RE code would not allow for the Soldier to re-enter the service.

My personal opinion is that the Army is usually the Soldiers main issue causing them suicidal thoughts. If not the main issue it is definitely adding to the stress factor. I think expediting the discharge and getting the Soldier home to their family who can provide the support they need is the best option if not completely "curing" the Soldier because you have removed the main issue...the military.