Why do senior leaders make the brig seem like the worst place on earth?

2017-07-10T23:54:32-04:00

I understand the brig isn’t the best place to be in the world however it’s not the worst thing that could happen to you.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jul 11 at 2017 3:15 AM

2017-07-11T03:15:59-04:00

Don't really understand why you are even posting this. You often hear people say bullshit like " Send me to jail... I don't care,, Jail ain't shit!!" These are people that have absolutely no will to succeed in life. If your idea of being a success is having a hot and a cot and a 10 X 12 living space be my guest.
I've lived in situations that weren't much above those in a brig, minus the guards. I have froze my ass off and been soaked to the bone and stayed up all hours of the night while brig rats were warm and cozy with full bellies.
One thing I had that they didn't. Pride in what I did.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 8:39 AM

2017-07-11T08:39:33-04:00

It may not be the worst place on earth but that doesn't make it better than the alternative. For starters, most service members want to be in the service, doing their job, picking up rank, etc. Being in the brig doesn't allow any of that. On top of that, I can't tell you how many forms and applications I've filled out in my life that asks questions about felonies, jail time, convictions, etc. So while the living conditions may not be the worst, there are far reaching ramifications for being a guest there. It's probably nothing you can't recover from if you're inclined to do so. It will take hard work and dedication but I've seen it done. Good luck.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 9:32 AM

2017-07-11T09:32:15-04:00

So you are saying that you have been to jail and no problems spending time in jail?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 9:42 AM

2017-07-11T09:42:55-04:00

Anyone who thinks that jail is fun or not the worst place to be is going to be spending a lot of time there for the rest of their life. I have no inclination to ever go to jail. Ever. I've heard about it from my ex husband. He's spent quite a bit of time in prison (minimum security) and jail...it doesn't sound like fun at all. I much rather enjoy my freedom and ability to get a job.

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 11 at 2017 10:14 AM

2017-07-11T10:14:04-04:00

I don't know about the other branches but what I saw in the Air Force if somebody spent much time in confinement a.k.a. jail or the brig it was because they have done something that they are getting a court martial for and if they have already been through a court martial and their punishment includes confinement it usually goes along with reduction in rank, reduction in pay, and a dishonorable discharge.

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jul 11 at 2017 10:37 AM

2017-07-11T10:37:00-04:00

Well for one, senior/older leaders tend to be a little wiser than the typical young troop. Two, they're not afraid to try to teach you about life vs some friends who are probably just trying to put up a front. Third, why think things can be worse if they can be better?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 11 at 2017 11:51 AM

2017-07-11T11:51:01-04:00

It's not the place. It's how you get there that can make it a bad place. It's what you do with the time you are there that can make it better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 12:05 PM

2017-07-11T12:05:24-04:00

If you ever find yourself facing a QRP board or whatever your service's version of that is, you can bet that you're going to be shown the door with time in the brig on your record.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2017 11:37 AM

2017-07-12T11:37:44-04:00

This is one of the more painful threads to read.
I just can't... but what the hell. I will try anyway, for those who may read this for posterity.
The brig, or any military confinement, is not a good place. It is not fun. It is not a club med. It is not what there was in the old days where you'd be busting up rocks and taking a flogging, and there are recreational opportunities to keep idle hands out of trouble and educational opportunities to help make a productive member of society afterwards, but go there and you will be behind the eight ball for life. Don't get into this situation, if at all possible.

Now as for this particular individual, if I follow the story, he was accused of some stuff by his spouse (not unheard of) and the CO tossed him in the brig to cool his jets and deescalate the situation while they investigated. So far so good. The charges are found without merit (or short of evidence, or some such) and dismissed. Then he decides to go sideways and get in arguments with superiors - something sure to bring the green weenie in for a poke.
Now you have transitioned from wrongly accused potential rehabilitation project to mouthy malcontent with authority issues. The USMC says thanks, but no thanks.
Then, in the service determination phase of out-processing, this young man goes against all sense and any counsel he would have had and accepts an Other than Honorable because he was "impatient" about the process! I suspect that what he was impatient with was the details, extra duty, and general military comeuppance that comes around when you are judged insubordinate and on the way out.
That was a very unfortunate mistake on his part.

It sounds like he's landed on his feet and has a job lined up, so I wish him luck.