Should Commanders report their soldiers if they have an alcohol addiction issue?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 15:04:23 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2016 3:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 15:14:06 -0400

Report to whom? Now a lot of Soldiers have a love of alcohol leaders need to deal with the problems that there soldiers have if a soldier can't handle his liquor then that needs to be dealt with but as a good leader you should try and handle this at the lowest level so hopefully you will be able to take care of this soldier without going to the commander.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2016 3:29 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 15:29:52 -0400

Once an alcohol incident gets to the commander, the Soldier MUST (by regulation) be referred/enrolled in the ASAP (Army Substance Abuse Program).

The key is for the Soldier with the problem to self-refer, which gets them the treatment, without the potential for legal action. Good leaders below the company commander level can and should get involved by urging the Soldier with the problem to seek assistance through ASAP.

Once the problem gets to the commander, the options and good intentions go away.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Oct 1 at 2016 3:53 PM

SSgt David Tedrow — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 15:53:47 -0400

If they don't they are doing the soldier and their unit a great dis-service.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 1 at 2016 9:12 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 21:12:28 -0400

"Should Commanders report their soldiers if they have an alcohol addiction issue?"
Report them to who? the commander is "The guy" things get reported to.
If you mean should a commander with knowledge of a SM having a alcohol abuse issue enroll the SM in a treatment program the answer is yes, both morally and ethically.,,as regulation requires it,,not optional.
If you mean others than the commander reporting the SM TO THE COMMANDER, the answer is, it depends...if peers and leaders have done what they can and failed to convince the SM to seek treatment and they are convinced it is an issue affecting the unit, the SM, their family.. then YES go see the 1SG and CDR on an open door policy and share your concerns.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 4:58 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:58:51 -0400

If a soldier, regardless of rank or pay grade has or is starting to develop a problem with alcohol, it is time to sit them down and talk to them - explaining the impact alcohol has on their career, your genuine concern for them, and what resources are out there for them, all the while doing away with the stigma that getting help will stunt their promotion. An assessment should be made on whether or not the soldier should merely be told about what resources are available, or whether the soldier should be ordered to receive help.

Alcoholism is not easy to accept. It is probably one of the most denied diseases by those who suffer from it. We in the military have always been under the connotation that we are supposed to drink. That simply must change. The chain of command, from E1 to O10, should ensure this soldier is getting the help he or she needs without and fear of reprisal. No one should be afraid to talk to their leadership about a fellow brother or sister. We are obligated to look out for our own. You aren't a snitch and you definitely are not being a "blue falcon". Whether they have a problem or not, they should understand that you were looking out for them. You should not "mind your own business"; as a soldier, the business of your fellow soldiers is your business. When something interferes with their well being or their ability to complete their tasks or your ability to rely on them, whether it be alcohol, finances, relationship problems, etc. its our job as leaders to identify a problem and propose a solution.

Be a leader and get them the help they need. Start informal and make good decisions from there. They may not understand at first, but down the road, problem or not, they will realize that you were looking out for them when no one else was. You stepped up.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 2 at 2016 8:29 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 20:29:51 -0400

Been there done that... on Both sides of the coin...
if you want to Keep the Service Member get them some Help... fast ... before he or she takes the unit and themselves down...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 8:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 20:40:27 -0400

Should we report Soldiers that have PTSD and attend ABH? Addiction is a subjective term. It's open to interpretation. If we reported every Soldier that had an 'alcohol addiction' there would be very few in our ranks to meet the mission. So I have to say no.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Oct 4 at 2016 6:56 AM

CPT Tom Monahan — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 06:56:38 -0400

Yes. What liability is the Commander putting the Army at if they don't. Think if the soldier has a DUI related accident and injured him or her self or worse kills someone.

ISG, think of this: A POL tanker driver is behind hour spouse and kids on a post road. The tanker driver has a drinking problem. How do you feel now?

Response by CH (COL) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 7:14 AM

CH (COL) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:14:30 -0400

Self-referral is much better but SOMEONE should get the soldier the help that they need.

Response by MAJ Gary Davis made Oct 4 at 2016 7:44 AM

MAJ Gary Davis — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 07:44:20 -0400

Well, I don't know how things are these days, but, when I served, unless alcohol was negatively impacting a soldier's job performance/on-duty performance, it was something to be left alone. Drugs are different because drugs are illegal. Alcohol is not illegal. If anybody "turned me in" to the Command Chain because I drank a six pack of beer at home every evening after Duty Hours, I would be highly pissed at Mr. Buttinsky.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 8:00 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 08:00:34 -0400

Agree with the others on refer/refer... Commanders cannot determine if someone has an "addiction"--they are not trained for that. However, incidents relating to alcohol can, and should be referred to a counselor. Depending on the circumstances, though--there is some wiggle room. I've had Marines get totally drunk and get in a fight. I did not consider that a referral event unless it would happen multiple times.

Response by CPT Dennis Stevenson made Oct 4 at 2016 8:11 AM

CPT Dennis Stevenson — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 08:11:36 -0400

As far as I am concerned, my duty to my troops is to kept them safe and healthy. I would find a way to get the soldier help without ruining her/his career. Hopefully, the chain of command understands that alcoholism is a disease that can be treated and not necessarily a weakness in character.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Oct 4 at 2016 9:51 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:51:10 -0400

Yes Yes Yes and they need to getvthem treatment just like Suicide Prevention and Sexual Harassment TNG!!

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Oct 4 at 2016 9:52 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:52:42 -0400

Do it ASAP

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 4 at 2016 1:54 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:54:17 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member I think they should first go to the soldier and discuss it with them and give them a choice...get into a treatment program or get reported.

Response by Lt Col Phil Henning made Oct 5 at 2016 4:06 AM

Lt Col Phil Henning — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 04:06:14 -0400

As a former x2 commander yes. Rather get him treatment than a DUI or accident. Would be negligent not to

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 7:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 07:38:04 -0400

Command referred asap program

Response by MAJ Glenn Lasater made Oct 5 at 2016 9:10 AM

MAJ Glenn Lasater — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 09:10:52 -0400

Yes, Absolutely.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Oct 5 at 2016 4:23 PM

LTC Mark Beattie — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 16:23:49 -0400

Absolutely they should in order for the individual to get help. Alcoholism is a disease, and most people are unable to deal with it on their own. If in a position to help an alcoholic get help, and you don't, you're doing a disservice to that individual and failing your individual responsibility. I've lived around a alcoholic family member and witnessed what it does. It's not pretty!!

Response by SGT Tom Lippert made Oct 6 at 2016 7:33 PM

SGT Tom Lippert — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 19:33:27 -0400

Nope

Response by SSG Andrea Renee Morain made Oct 16 at 2016 12:02 PM

SSG Andrea Renee Morain — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 12:02:49 -0400

Yes, If they cared, they would and it would show that the Commander knows his soldiers.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 1 at 2020 11:25 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 23:25:52 -0500

Commander is responsible for the health and welfare of their Soldiers. They should take every step necessary to ensure their health.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2020 4:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:13:33 -0500

The commander should ensure the Soldier is counseled and referred for treatment.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Sep 11 at 2020 11:02 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 23:02:34 -0400

If it can't be handled in-house, yes.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Sep 12 at 2020 5:17 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 05:17:02 -0400

I believe that is what Command referral to ASAP is for, to identify and help Soldiers before the addiction becomes a problem for the unit and mission. You can say they have a moral and duty responsibility to do so.