Im getting a chapter 9 discharge for sudc alcohol failure. (Command reffered from my last company) is this honorable or general discharge?

PV2 Austin Lohmann — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 23:41:06 -0400

My 1sg told me originally I would be getting an honorable but because I was command referred from my former company that my discharge under regs would change to a general discharge is this possible and what can I do about it?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2020 12:19 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:19:50 -0400

I would assume if they told you it would now be a General than that’s what it will be. You should be able to appeal it after separation. https://arba.army.pentagon.mil/adrb-overview.html

adrb-overview.html

Response by PO3 Jay Rose made Jul 23 at 2020 12:27 AM

PO3 Jay Rose — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:27:17 -0400

Your Battalion Commander makes the recommendations and then sends it up to your Brigade Commander. Your Brigade Commander will then decide if you should actually be discharged along with the characterization of service. Under AR 635-200, your discharge could be **either** (Fully) Honorable or General (note that “Under Honorable Conditions” is not the same as “Honorable”). You need to do two things **now**, first speak with legal so you can avoid getting screwed since it will be an uphill battle to upgrade from a General to a Honorable discharge. Speaking with legal is probably the most important thing that you could do right now. There are other items on your DD214 that could bite you on the ass, such as your separation code and narrative, so you want it as much of it to work in your favor as possible. The next thing that I would do is start speaking with your chain of command, humbly, because the recommendations flow up the chain, and in reality are pretty much “rubber stamped” at the top. Do any of the “higher-ups” have an “open door policy?” If so, use it, and do what you need to now, otherwise it could take years before you would get to go before an Army Discharge Review Board (DRB), and even then winning will be a long shot when drugs and/or alcohol are mixed into the equation. You could probably put in a “respectful request” to speak with leaders up the chain as well, and the number one piece of advice that I think anyone could give you (RP Community, please chime in if you have other ideas) is to take ownership of your actions, again as humble and apologetic as needed since this outcome will have an affect on the rest of your life.

By the way, how long do you have in and how are your performance evals? These two items are very heavily taken into account with an administrative separation. If you’ve completed “most of your enlistment” and/or were considered an “outstanding soldier” on paper, they are less likely to go the general discharge route. Every command is different, but I’ve seen these things help a lot of folks out before.

Here’s something that will break it down for you from the administrative side:

https://home.army.mil/monterey/application/files/3715/4955/1549/chapter_9_info_paper.pdf

Feel free to ask any questions, that my friend, is what we’re here for.

Best of luck!

Jay

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Response by Christina Thundathil made Jul 23 at 2020 12:36 AM

Christina Thundathil — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:36:52 -0400

In the very rarest of occurrences does the Army Discharge Review board grant a correction or an upgrade. I know because I was one of the very FEW people that had a corrected discharge in 2005.

Do what PO3 Jay Rose suggested.

The ABCMR is backlogged. It takes at least couple of tries before they actually follow regulations on how to answer you. I waited 3 years the last time but I won my case.
Speak with JAG and know who the separation authority is. Sometimes COMMANDERS cut corners and don't follow AR. They have to afford you some rights.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance after your discharge.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 12:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 12:55:06 -0400

A few things come to mind. #1) What I think might not actually be the case depending on your CoC and their practices. #2) I'm not here to help you beat the system. #3) While I'm the first to get rid of my problem soldiers, as a reservist I have a civilian point of view as well, and think certain things should be recoverable in life.

That said, you are probably going to get a General under Honorable Conditions. Which to a layman in the civilian world shouldn't scare them away in a job interview unless they "know". In my view, it means you've been fired. Dishonorable to me means you were convicted of something.

Now, I've seen complete dirt bags make it to Honorable. Which is why I don't see it as entirely fair some might get a General (but that's the rules of the game). Example, getting Flagged for popping hot for METH, but getting to their ETS date before the system can kick them out. They get an Honorable because it's just quicker to deal with that way, but they get burned on their Reenlistment Code because of the drug flag.

************
Without rambling on too much, I would tell any soldier of mine, so I tell you, make sure you understand what the separation code means on your discharge before you sign anything. If you are not comfortable with it or don't understand the consequences then seek counsel.

With the right code, you can say you got cleaned up, get a waiver and come back in. With the wrong code, nothing is impossible to get waived, it just takes more Stars on the shoulder to do it, which basically makes it impossible.

That said, if I were you, I would google all the current reenlistment codes and understand them so you are ahead of the game when they finally present it to you.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Nov 10 at 2020 3:05 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 15:05:39 -0500

A General Discharge would be in order. To change the discharge is a long process and the outcome is usually not favorable. Jay's suggestion is worthwhile. Good luck.