Posted on Apr 11, 2015
1SG First Sergeant
8.66K
26
14
2
2
0
It's Friday morning and you get a call that one of your Soldiers got arrested by local law enforcement for a DUI. You can bail them out in the next few hours or let them sit until Monday morning. What do you do?
Posted in these groups: Leadership abstract 007 Leadership140114202911 large AlcoholOriginal Crime
Avatar feed
Responses: 11
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
9
9
0
- Arrest for DUI is not conviction for DUI. Two different issues. Chain of command must let this civil issue play out within the civil arena. If convicted then certain actions must be taken by the chain of command.
- If "bail out" means go pick the Soldier up and bring them back to the unit then yes. That is a chain of command responsibility.
- If "bail out" means to commit chain of command personal funds for bail then no. That is the Soldier's responsibility. If the Soldier can afford bail great, then see comment #2 above. If the Soldier can not afford bail then the Soldier waits until Monday morning. It is what it is.
(9)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Operations Officer (S3)
4
4
0
This one is ripped for debate:
Ultimately, it comes down to you doing the right thing as a Leader to help REHABILITATE the Soldier.
(4)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1LT William Clardy
3
3
0
Edited 11 y ago
That is a no-brainer in my mind: you immediately assist your soldier in arranging to be released and then bring them back to their place of duty.

That is *your* soldier sitting in jail. Unless you know that he or she is guilty of the crime, you have no business as a leader letting him or her sit there all weekend -- not to mention deliberately adding an unauthorized absence from place of duty.
(3)
Comment
(0)
SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
SSgt (Join to see)
11 y
Thank you! One thing that is pissing me off is jumping to conclusions and this insane desire to have Article 15s meted out. Let's give our people a break until we can't anymore. SSgt Alexander Ingram
(2)
Reply
(0)
Will Beltz
Will Beltz
8 y
so my boyfriend was in jail with no bail and got released to army official how is that possible?
(0)
Reply
(0)
1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
8 y
Because police are familiar with the ways of the Army, Will Beltz. If PFC Schmuckatelli's squad leader says his private will not miss his court date, the cops know that Schmuckatelli will be in even deeper doo-doo if he ghosts.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Avatar feed
Sit in jail or bail them out?
SGT(P) Human Intelligence Collector
2
2
0
Honestly, if the soldier can't afford their own bail, I probably can't afford it either.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG (ret) William Martin
2
2
0
He can bail him or herself out, and I can help point that SM in the right direction for those funds. Also, I was in a unit that allowed a soldier to stay in jail for almost a month due to the court needed bail money for writing bad checks and it was a lot of them. Remember, if you pay someone's bond, you are pretty much responsible to get them to court.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT John Wesley
2
2
0
I'd let them sit in there... You are responsible for your actions and must learn from your mistakes.

Btw, I hate the fact you're at Schofield... I tried for years to get there, but my MOS was too small... Dang you!
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGM Bill Frazer
0
0
0
Does it require bail, or just your signature? A DUI on a Friday, hmm- it would depend on what kind of soldier they are- a 1st mistake/great troop- get them. A problem/dirtbag/repeat offender- let them enjoy the visit. Either way their 4th POC is mine when I do get them.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Floyd Williams
0
0
0
Let him sit in jail and think about the wrong decision using your money to pay someone's bail can open up another issue if the person don't want to reimburse you.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Shawn Taylor
0
0
0
Depends on the soldier. I personnelly let my soldiers set in there until the next day or over the weekend. But I go see them first to make sure they were ok.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
0
0
0
Speaking of bailing someone out. I need to go bail my mother out. Bingo again! You'd think at 79 she would be over that,,,,,
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close