Will an old DUI haunt me for the E7 promotion board (SSG Evaluation board)?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 15:57:46 -0400

I am getting looked at for the first time in January for E7. I am in a low promoting MOS. I have been working on other areas that will possibly allow me to stand out like becoming airborne and air assault qualified, working towards my bachelors, and improving my Fitness levels, all while holding leadership positions within my unit.

The Derog is from a DUI 7 years ago. They will unfortunately see it even though I had my GOMOR moved to my restricted file, its annotated on a -R eval.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 2 at 2023 4:26 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 16:26:27 -0400

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/dui-can-i-ever-recover-from-it

Can I ever recover from a DUI that I received about 5 years back? | RallyPoint

I got a DUI about 5 years back. Can I still get promoted with it? I got my 1st E7 look coming up.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 2 at 2023 4:27 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 16:27:19 -0400

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/cam-someone-still-get-promoted-with-derog-like-duis-to-e7

Can someone still get promoted to E-7 with derogatory information in their file like a DUI? |...

got one as an E5 over 7 years ago. Received a gomor. His first look is in February for E7. lower density non combat MOS. Completed an AA degree, air assault, airborne and has deployed since then. Decent NCOERs. Mostly HQ. Still a shot at promotion? Likelihood of NFQ? Anyone "know a guy" that had derog and made it recently?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 2 at 2023 4:28 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 16:28:20 -0400

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/will-one-dui-end-my-career

Will one DUI end my career? | RallyPoint

I got a dui off post. My co found out. He counseled me and said im getting a gomar and article 15. My buddy I might get chaptered by hec for qsp. Is this true?

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 2 at 2023 4:49 PM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 16:49:51 -0400

Short answer: Yes. However, I assume you're looking for the longer answer which is "how much will it haunt me and will it stop me from being promoted"? Anything you get will be a subjective answer.

The instructions to the FY23 SFC board members* were to look hard for examples of five threshold behaviors - Integrity, Empathy, Discipline, Physical Fitness, and Mental Agility - in the Soldier's career, both where they have demonstrated them or where they failed to demonstrate them. A board member coming across your file might absolutely consider this a failure on your part with regards to Discipline*. However, others might not. Again, subjective.

I told someone that asked a similar question once that one person will look at your DUI when you were a junior NCO (I assume based on timeframe and the -R eval) as a momentary lapse in judgement while another will look at it as you were phenomenally lucky that you didn't crash into a pregnant lady that was driving a van full of nuns.

From your description, you've done work to put marks in the positive column in order to overcome the big one that was placed in the negative column. What else can you do? In the AAR*, the board said they gave the most weight to someone's NCOERS. At this point I would expect that is out of your control except for possibly your next one.

One comment that you CAN do is pay attention to your Soldier's Record Brief (SRB) and Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). The board noted that a high number of outdated SRBs and OMPFs that were missing documents. Make sure your most updated civilian transcripts are included and absolutely make sure you certify "My Board File" on iPERMS after you review it (less than 50% were certified).

Aside from that, there's not much you can do at this point. What will happen will happen. Would it behoove you to have a plan B? Yes, I would explore options 'just in case', but don't commit yourself to a COA unless you are planning on a path regardless of the outcome of the board.
--------------------------------------------
* MOI to Board Members - https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/26657
* Discipline as defined in the MOI - NCOs must control their own behavior in accordance with Army Values, and obey and enforce orderly practices in administrative, organizational, training, and operational duties. NCOs uphold good order and discipline, enforcing Army standards for themselves and those around them.
* AAR - https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/26653

HRC Homepage

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 6 at 2023 10:53 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 10:53:33 -0400

It is a safe bet that it will be a variable at some point. The goods news is that it isn't recent and that you have done a lot to distance yourself from who you were 7 years ago when it happened. Sounds like you did your very best to make lemonade and that will also be seen. Keeping working hard and it will pay off.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2023 1:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:32:13 -0400

Depends on the board members ultimately. Some SGMs might take DUIs seriously and score you lower for it, some might say well it's been 7 years and not let it affect how they score you.