Posted on Oct 1, 2016
Should Commanders report their soldiers if they have an alcohol addiction issue?
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Substance Use
Alcohol
Leadership
Chain of Command
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 25
"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.
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.
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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...
if you want to Keep the Service Member get them some Help... fast ... before he or she takes the unit and themselves down...
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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.
SSG Carlos Madden PVT James Strait SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" COL Mikel J. Burroughs SN Kevin Neff SN Greg Wright PO1 Andrew Gardiner
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.
SSG Carlos Madden PVT James Strait SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" COL Mikel J. Burroughs SN Kevin Neff SN Greg Wright PO1 Andrew Gardiner
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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.
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.
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Pat McCracken
How could any leader close their eyes to drug abuse of any kind? I, too, would hope the soldier would recognize his/her problem and seek assistance. If not, someone needs to care enough to do it for him/her.
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If they don't they are doing the soldier and their unit a great dis-service.
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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.
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Self-referral is much better but SOMEONE should get the soldier the help that they need.
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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.
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MAJ Mark N.
I agree to a point, as I am one of those "old Army" guys. Back in the '80's, there seemed to be a lot (sometimes too many) alcohol related incidents, especially in Germany. However, after getting my soldiers out of jail and talking with them, we often found out that the alcohol was a cover for something much deeper. In those cases, the Commander, as well as the unit/company chain of command, was aware of the situation - but we did not automatically label it "addiction". If the incidents continued after some constructive counseling, then we went the formal route and sought professional intervention/treatment. Don't know what it is like these days.
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COL Andrew Burns
Self-referring is the best option. Alchohol does not carry the same weight anymore. As a commander, take positive action!
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Lt Col Phil Henning
He posted alcoholism. I'd define that as impairment of duties or causing an incident. I would not interfere with normal drinking at home, etc. only rule is on the dorms if under 21
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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.
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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?
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?
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