What happens if a soldier uses the ASAP program?

2018-01-29T19:44:46-05:00

A soldier I know is going through some dark times and came to me looking for assistance. On paper, he is a model soldier. He maxes out his PT tests and has proved himself a good soldier at his unit.

Outside of the military, he has fallen through the cracks. He began hanging out with the wrong crowd, began using drugs and abusing alcohol, and recently received a DUI. This young man hit rock bottom and came to me looking for help. I messaged him back and referred him to AR600-85, telling him that the Army Substance Abuse Program was put in place for a reason.

He notified his immediate supervisor and commander and is looking to seek treatment.

What does the future hold for this soldier? Will he be separated for trying to get the help he needs? He is a great soldier and turned himself in.

What are your thoughts? What would you do if you were in the shoes of his supervisors?

Feel free to share your thoughts.

Response by LCDR Michael L. made Jan 29 at 2018 8:46 PM

2018-01-29T20:46:14-05:00

SPC Pelczarski,
This is a tough question to be sure. It is important to remember that this soldier is getting the help that he needs. I remember one of the old Army adages was mission first and people always. It didn't make much sense to me at the time, but the bottom line is that we have to care for one another. This young man chose to serve and for that I thank him. I thank him for choosing to seek treatment at the sound advice of a concerned comrade (You I believe!). Substance use can be a form of self-medication and we have these programs for a reason. I cannot speak to the specifics of this soldier or the Army program. Though, rest easy knowing your duty to serve your shipmate (Army term is Battle, I think). The system may not be perfect, but I would rather see him obtain treatment than to be a different statistic. Sometimes doing the right thing is not the easy thing. In this case, the right thing has a much higher chance of saving lives.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 29 at 2018 10:03 PM

2018-01-29T22:03:18-05:00

The DUI will effect him more then seeking help through ASAP.
Had he gotten help before the DUI, and was successful at taming those issues, likely there would have been no second order effects.
Realty is, the DUI and likely GOMOR is going to be an issue come board time in his future.
BUT no matter what there is life after service, so seeking help is always the better plan...even if he is separated the day he gets out of treatment (not likely) Having figured a way through self medication is always better....

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 30 at 2018 5:38 AM

2018-01-30T05:38:21-05:00

By reaching out, he has admitted to having a problem. The Army should NOT look upon this a failure but rather a human error. Referring him to treatment was good but better would have been to take him to get the help he is seeking and needs. The fact HE made the first step instead of the Army may have kept his career from going totally in the toilet.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-02-04T11:29:58-05:00

You see the thing is that this soldier should of gotten help before the DUI I don't know why the command would not direct this solider to ASAP. If you are going to go look for help it should be before the criminal charges.