What was the worse advice that you had received from a "Barracks Lawyer"?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:59:07 -0400

"Barracks Lawyers", "Guardhouse Lawyers", "S**thouse Lawyers"- whatever you called them- we have encountered these purveyors of bad advice during our time in the military. What was the worse advice that you'd ever received from a "Barracks Lawyer"? Did you take their advice? And if so, did you regret it and vowed never to receive advice from a "Barracks Lawyer" ever again?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Mar 18 at 2014 4:20 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:20:09 -0400

I think that we have all had our fair share of experience with "barracks lawyers" (aka as PNN or Private News Network in TRADOC). The important thing to do as Leaders is to squash that advice at the source and provide the proper guidance to our Soldiers. That is very important in this day in age in our Army with downsizing and such. Any decision a Solider makes based off of bad advice from a "barracks lawyer" or from PNN can be devastating.

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Mar 18 at 2014 4:51 PM

SGT Suraj Dave — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:51:59 -0400

When I was a PFC, this other PFC told me he was going to tell our CoC that he was allergic to peanuts so he could turn his meal card in and get separate rats. I told him they may check, he said "What are they going to do? make me eat a peanut?". I told him, "Just simple blood work really." He walked into the training room to get his 4187 back directly after.....

Response by TSgt David Holman made Mar 25 at 2015 12:58 PM

TSgt David Holman — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:58:33 -0400

That if you ask someone if they are "OSI" they have to tell you.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 25 at 2015 1:05 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:05:21 -0400

You can only get a LOR/LOC from your direct chain.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Mar 25 at 2015 1:15 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:15:36 -0400

"I'd tell the First Sergeant to KISS MY ASS!" Sadly the young troop followed that advice which is what led him to my office as the Area Defense Counsel. I put on my line badge, found out what aircraft this maintainer/lawyer was working on and I drove out to the plane parked on the ramp. I went over to his tool box (he was working in the bomb bay), grabbed a big wrench and started tapping on the airframe and unlatching openings. The guy finally noticed me and said "Hey! Sir! What are you doing?" I told him since he felt like practicing law I felt like practicing maintenance." He took my meaning. I also made a phone call to the concerned First Sergeant who took a special interest in this young fellow for the duration of his assignment.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 1:19 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:19:49 -0400

Many moons ago, I got an Article 15 ((shriek!!!!)). Reported to Area Defense Counsel (ADC) to a brand spanking new Capt (by direct Law School commission to Capt not just-made-Capt-after-1LT).

He looked over the facts of my case, refused to listen to my added information, told me that I "was looking at A1C and lucky to not get thrown out", then regaled me with tales of all the other cases he was working at that time. I *respectfully* told him to pound sand and hired a civilian Attorney. Best money spent. Case was eventually Set Aside and I pressed on smarter.

That whole experience was my ah-ha moment. I am delighted to say that I learned so much from that and recovered my career.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 1:30 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:30:55 -0400

I had a friend who didn't want to deploy to Desert Shield/Storm with the ship...he didn't miss ship's movement but he wanted off. A sea lawyer told him to pretend to be crazy and he'd get a medical discharge so he proceeded to carve "I hate the Navy" in his arm with a knife, talk to himself randomly, and he told medical he was having suicidal thoughts. Well, he got off the ship alright. He was sent to Bethesda and I visited him there after we got back. I believe he was still there when I separated from active duty in '93! Turns out they Navy was sure he really was crazy and not matter how often he told them he wasn't they just wouldn't believe him. They wouldn't let him out of the Navy until they were sure he wasn't a danger to himself or others!

Thanks Sea Lawyers!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 1:34 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:34:17 -0400

During a certain rebellious stage in my career I was told to, "remain silent and admit to nothing." Even back then I wasn't stupid enough to follow that advice. I knew that if I owned my actions, accepted my punishment and carried on, I could survive. I did and because I chose my way, I might have gotten my @$$ handed to me and it definitely woke me up but I was able to bounce back quickly.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 1:53 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:53:45 -0400

It was actually the best advice ever. I had been kicked out of sub school and sent to a ship as an undesignated seaman, basically the lowest of the low. A E-3 (leading seaman in deck) told me they violated my contract because I was a 6yo and promised AEF (Advanced Electronics Training) so I put in a chit to get out of the Navy. Longer story but it launched me on the path to where I am today, well next to joining in the first place.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 9:12 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:12:54 -0400

Overheard in Basic: "Tell them you don't like guns if you don't want to be a cop." What happened to this poor girl who listened? Discharged. Horrible, horrible advice! Lol