Will a DUI end my career?

Lemme get this straight...A SSG displayed such a total lack of responsibility and lack of good judgement they drove while intoxicated and now they want to know if they will be looked at for E-7 and/or retained in the Service? Whether said individual arrived home or was detained by law enforcement personnel is irrelevant.

SSG (Join to see) - I'm going to speak blunt for a minute... Avoiding driving while intoxicated is one of THE easiest offenses to avoid. Given the availability of taxis, Uber, Lyft, Designated Driver programs, etc, etc, etc., frankly I see no reason or excuse to justify such poor decision making and lack of personal accountability in a Soldier who is supposed to BE the example for younger troops just starting out. As a Paramedic, I've seen way more times than I ever wanted the aftermath of someone who chose to operate a motor vehicle after becoming intoxicated (by whatever substance they choose be it alcohol or drugs). Countless families have been shattered forever by someone else's poor choices in life. Pray to whatever deity you cherish you NEVER have to see the things I've seen. Broken bodies are bad enough. Having to tell a family their loved one will never come home because of a drunk driver is worse.

Now, that being said....Everyone makes a total error in judgement now and then. It happens; that's just the reality of life. Will you be retained? Honestly, I don't know. I would hope your Commander would look at the totality of circumstances (past disciplinary actions if any, how long ago, severity, past and present duty performance, etc) before making a final judgement. Unfortunately, we live in a "zero defect" ideology so who knows the final outcome. Are you salvageable? I think probably so depending on your history. Learn from the mistake, grow as an NCO and on a personal level. NEVER let it happen again.

GOMOR. Not gonna get looked at for 7. 75-85% chance (maybe higher) gonna face a QMP. If you do face the QMP, I would guess you have a 75-85% chance of being released. No matter what, the odds are not in your favor.

Not to be a dick brother, but you played a stupid game, and now got a stupid prize. Every Goddamn safety brief, for however many years you have served, the number one item on that list is "DON'T DRINK/DRUGS AND DRIVE". We have hammered our junior Soldiers for doing this, we have chaptered our junior Soldiers for doing this, we have reduced then in rank by two, and gave them 45 and 45. This should be on your NCOER, and yes, you should be shown the door. At this point, Getting looked at for Sergeant First Class should be the least of your concerns, as what you did was a Private type mistake, a Staff Sergeant looking for promotion on the first look should be the poster child for what right looks like, and beyond reproach, not making such a poor decision. You chose to get behind the wheel after whatever inhibitor you ingested, now you face consequences. Pray you get to keep your separation benefits. I am this harsh because I have lost loved ones to idiots that got behind the wheel after drinking. There is no excuse, nor mitigation for it.
I can also bet my house that when your 1SG asked what you were thinking, you gave a privates answer "I dunno"

Now that my initial shock, anger, and disbelief have abided, this is what is going to happen. You WILL be Command referred to ASAP, A GOMOR, if off post, you will go before a judge, if on post, Loss of post driving privileges, a Field Grade, loss of 1 rank, a Needs Improvement on your NCOER, relief for cause if in a SQL position, A flag for adverse action, a BAR, and a very very high probability that you will be QMP'ed. In my last 5 years, I have never seen anyone above the rank of SPC get a DUI and be retained.