In today's Military, can you survive an Article 15 or Letter of Reprimand and still have a successful career?

From experience, a LOR can and will end your career. I was sexually harassed by a commanding general officer (BG). I informed the next MG in the command who was a female. I was afraid of retaliation and wasn’t sure what to do, therefore I requested the assistance of from the next general in my chain of command who happen to be a female. She didn’t do anything but refer me to her EO counselor who did nothing. During the same time I received a referred OER. I am a MAJ and been in over 20 years, and have never received anything derogatory in my record ever. I requested a commanders inquiry, which was forward to the next level, the female MG whom I complaint to about the BG sexual harassment. When in 3 months the commander inquiry turned into an AR 15-6 which stated I falsified my OER. I requested meeting with my rater and senior rater to discuss the OER and the fact that I had a profile and the box on my OER was not checked. I checked the box and forward to my rater, requesting a meeting. I never signed my OER, just reviewed, check profile block, and requested meeting. Once I was denied a meeting, I forward to BG, requesting commanders inquiry and who was my commanding general and the one who sexually harassed me. From the AR 15-6, the OER remained valid and filed, I was accused of falsifying my OER, then two months later given a General Officers Memo Of Reprimand (GOMOR). Then two months later I was given a notice of Involuntary Separation. I appealed the OER, which I was given full relief and is being corrected in my file. I am in the middle of appealing my GOMOR. In the mean-time I have been passed over for promotions and pending separation, as my military career is ending due to retaliation for complaining of sexual harassment against my commanding general officer. Both BG and MG has mover to higher positions elsewhere, while I am still pending separation. A soldier can’t sue the military and therefore is stuck with whatever given, be it right or wrong. Funny, the Army teaches you to speak up and say something, however, once you do, your career is over. Where is the justice!

I would have to say that it all depends on what level it is. Anything that stays with local command like a LOR or summarized AR-15 might be recoverable, anything that can go with you to a new command definitely not. Even when i was in it was becoming a zero defect zero tolerance atmosphere. Too bad really some of the best lessons are learned from making a mistake.

Chesty Puller, one of the Marine Corps most decorated, colorful, and respected leader, once said that if you want the best fighting Marines, go to the Brig. In this day and age of zero tolerance and pristine Soldiers, can we have real warriors? Until the feces hits the fan and real warriors are needed in abundance, I don't think so, save the SPECOPs. And when that happens, because it surely will, will there be any Chesty Puller's to lead the way or just clean cut M.B.A.s?