Posted on May 17, 2015
SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
8.81K
21
17
1
1
0
This is a long confusing situation so please bear with me…

This Soldier got a DUI 2yrs ago & lost his log on credentials. Got the punishment & everything that came with it. He has since cleaned up his act, got his licenses back & done everything he could to show he is ready for the board.

They told him he cannot go to the board till he has log on credentials to the computer since he will need it at WLC. Meaning having his own user name/password instead of signing on as a Guest.

They say they can give him "temporary" access but it takes time to process & it has to be "timed" right when he goes to WLC since it expires in a short time frame, which apparently 4mths later they still can't figure out how to do all this to be able to send him. From what I remember you couldn't get your own username/password till you became an E5 (Fort Bragg was like that). Not sure how each unit works.

I've asked him if his unit gives him a monthly counseling of why he can't go to the board, has not received one. He has tried using the open door policy but it stops at Platoon level or Company Commander, still not receiving any answers.

He shouldn't of screwed up you're right before anyone says anything but he made a mistake & has learned as well changed in the last 2 years. He gets out next year & wishes to stay in progressing. His Platoon SGT seems to be holding a grudge (personal opinion from a few) or they are just stringing him along.

Unless he makes points to be promoted (since he has done the board) & they have to force him to WLC is that the only way?

What can this Soldier do in order to be able to go to WLC?
Posted in these groups: Star Promotions02c7f6b5 Credentials9efe7c3e DUI
Avatar feed
Responses: 8
SFC Stephen King
5
5
0
Army Regulation 600-8-19, Enlisted Promotions and Reductions — this is the best starting point. If you feel the Soldier is being treated unjust after attempting to use chain of command look to JAG or IG as a last result.
(5)
Comment
(0)
SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
That's what I thought was the next step if his unit doesn't do anything was not sure 100%. Thank you SFC King
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
1SG First Sergeant
3
3
0
If what you said is all the information there is an issue here and I would recommend the I G for further guidance.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
3
3
0
At some point this individual will become fed up and leave and become yet another statistic. Yes many of us "screw the pooch" one time or another in our careers. I was a Captain for 10 years - due to my own stupidity. But if you make amends, mend your ways and walk the straight and narrow, the CofC should reinstate their trust and allow you to progress. This sounds like "zero tolerance for mistakes". Treatment like this eventually leads to attitude problems and the SM potentially slipping back to their old ways.

I've never heard of losing log on credentials to a computer system as part of punishment. What system are they barred from that would be needed ad WLT - I've been out for a while so I'm not up to speed on all the changes. This sounds damaging, especially if it prohibits the soldier access to training, as opposed to punishment.

Another step you could try using the open door policies is, in order, for the SM to request meetings with the PSG, 1SG and CSM. At each step if the SM can't get answers or is inhibited, then they request a meeting at the next level. If there truly is someone holding a grudge, going through this process SHOULD vet that out. Insure the SM is coached prior to, uniformed appropriately and acts professionally at each meeting. Insure they have written documentation showing their rehabilitation and return to good standing and their points, etc. to show they are eligible to attend school.

Hope this helps.
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Avatar feed
Specialist is trying to go to WLC but getting denied. Can he do anything?
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
2
2
0
A few thoughts:
- There is a process and a procedure for most everything within the Army. Whether or not the individual and/or his/her chain of command are complying with the process and procedure is a separate issue.
- Enlisting in the military is a privilege, not a right. A right is something that all US Citizens are entitled to because we are citizens. Examples of rights include what is in the Bill of Rights. Examples of privileges include driving. The military discriminates on the basis of age, physical ability, medical status, and a person's record.
- Staying in the military, going to advancing levels of professional military education (PME), and getting promoted within the military are also privileges and not rights. These privileges are exercised (or not) based upon several factors to include performance, potential, and other factors.
- Attendance to PME involves several things but at a basic level it is a combination of cost benefit analysis and return on investment. Stated another way, the Army will invest in the cost of educating a Soldier with limited funds/resources as long as the organization sees a tangible benefit (increased competence of the Soldier) and as long as the organization receives a tangible return on the investment usually measured as some sort of increased service obligation.
- Hard to provide an specific educated and informed response to the limited information provided but a DUI is hard to overcome in today's environment as the Army draws down. Why should the Army invest limited resources into a Soldier who has a DUI assuming all other factors are equal to another Soldier who has never received a DUI?
(2)
Comment
(0)
SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
I'll agree with some of your points. Yes it is a privilege not a right but each Soldier has the right to show he has progressed & improved in his career. You cannot hold something over someones head their entire career either.

A Soldier who never had a DUI may look like the perfect candidate to send to the board, as well he may not be at the top. He may be just doing enough to get by with out causing trouble but since without just cause they send him.

A soldier screwed up once in his/her career but since then had become a hard worker, the go to guy as well being put in the leadership position when NCOs are not available. This shows right there that if the Soldier can temporary hold that position & responsibility they should be given the opportunity to have it permanently.
(1)
Reply
(0)
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
>1 y
SGT Amber M. All valid points above with a few exceptions. That is one reason I laid out my first point about complying with process/procedure. Soldiers E1-E4 are supposed to be counseled monthly. NCOs are supposed to be counseled quarterly. Part of the counseling should include comments on performance, what is needed to sustain/improve, and what is needed to progress in PME and rank. From what you posted in your original question, this is not happening. The exceptions I have include:
- You can not hold something over some ones head their entire career. Depending upon the offense, yes it can be held over a Soldier's head. Illegal, immoral, and/or unethical behavior, depending upon the severity, can and should be "one and done" types of offenses.
- Soldier who never had a DUI may look perfect candidate. Possible but you might have skipped by my "assuming all other factors are equal" qualifier.
- I agree with your last paragraph. If a Soldier is good enough to hold a leadership position temporarily then they should be good enough to compete for the position permanently via PME and promotion.
(3)
Reply
(0)
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
>1 y
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM and @SGT Amber M. Great Discussion on both sides, enjoyed this insightful conversation
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Stephen King
2
2
0
Your welcome ensure he has exhausted all other avenues of approach.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Scott McBride
1
1
0
This case doesn't sound right to me, but I don't know all of the metrics. JAG is your best option based on your example. I won't say I agree with every thing said in these comments, because I don't. We have all screwed up in our careers at some point, to include officers. Many of those violators learned hard lessons and went on to become great mentors and leaders because of their screw ups. They were able to convey their own experiences to the youngsters and send a valuable message that will resonate through the ranks. However, in this day and age of our service, downsize and the senior leaderships unrealistic expectation of a "perfect" Soldier, any infraction that involves a serious case such as DUI, it can be a career ender despite his otherwise good service record. ( I'm not defending this action, he could have killed someone. And I'm sure this wasn't first time...) It is highly probable that his career is done. Senior leaders are being pushed out for less serious infractions so don't think that SPC Snuffy is exempt. There was a time in our Army where if Soldier pissed hot, they could be rehabilitated IF the command so chose. Not the case now. It is sad that his mistake is still following him, it should not 2 years later. He should be afforded every opportunity to move past this serious infraction and progress. Unfortunately, he may be condemned to ETS. Good luck.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Capt Mark Strobl
0
0
0
Edited >1 y ago
I think the problem lies in that opening sentence, "He a got DUI." We used to call those "Career Killers." Even if the kid has straightened out, he's competing against those who have no mis-steps on their records. As far as any road-blocks, I would recommend that he request mast (telling the chain of command that you're about to jump 'em) or, as others have noted, request an IG. Going with either of these two methods should indentify & isolate the problem.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Capt Mark Strobl
Capt Mark Strobl
>1 y
BTW, Someone help me: What does the Army & Air Force call "Request Mast?"
(0)
Reply
(0)
SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
Not sure exactly but maybe the Open Door Policy is what you are referring to?
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Management
0
0
0
I'm confused. Log on and credentials for what? That seems like that is the driving issue.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
When you log on to the government computer which most NCOs have in their office. You as a SFC log on with your information/cac card where all your files & everything is saved. With out one you log on as a guest, you can't save anything as well once you log off everything gets erased.

From what this Soldier is told that in order to go to WLC he needs to be able to log onto a computer with his own information, not as a guest. Other then that I am unsure. I know when I went to WLC we were "issued" computers where we didn't need any of that.

Hope this helps?
(0)
Reply
(0)
SFC Management
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Rgr. I'm tracking what the log on credentials. Why would he lose those because of a DUI? That's what's confusing me on this.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
SGT Dylan Barwick that's what I explained to him that he shouldn't need log on rights. I'm not sure if this WLC is backwards but it seems like it.

SFC (Join to see) That's why he lost his credentials due to the DUI.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

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

close