Is it legal/right to guard a soldier?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 15:54:45 -0400

So I have a soldier in my Platoon with a drinking problem , my platoon sergeant wants to start a guard shift on him in his barracks room. is this the right answer? I'm not sure if the commander or 1SG ordered it. Also, if not then what should or can we do? this is not the 1st time it happened

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2015 4:03 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 16:03:05 -0400

I have known several sailors who drank after shave at sea when their stash of booze ran out. This may be in someone's mind about this order, which it is. Follow it.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Oct 10 at 2015 4:50 PM

PVT Robert Gresham — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 16:50:38 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Although I find it to be an excellent temporary solution, my question would be, "what is the long term plan?" The fact is that an alcoholic is not simply going to stop drinking because he/she "dries out". Alcoholism is psychological (also occasionally physical) problem that requires psychological, and also often medical, intervention.

If this is a "solution" so that the soldier doesn't drink on the weekends, so be it. If other action is being contemplated, and this is going to take weeks, or months, then a facility that can give the soldier 24 hour treatment would probably be more appropriate.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 10 at 2015 4:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 16:51:31 -0400

He needs rehab to change his lifestyle.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 10 at 2015 5:59 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 17:59:23 -0400

Is he restricted to the barracks or is he free to go when it is after duty? If he has not been punished under Article 15, then he should not be restricted to the barracks. If this is solely a way to keep eyes on him when he is in the barracks, that is different. But in the bigger picture, what is the commander doing to get him the help he needs. I would think that if it is severe enough to keep an eye on him in the barracks, then it is severe enough to refer him to whatever agency helps Soldiers with alcohol problems.