Quote:
Originally Posted by thedahminator
So recently i stuck up in a situation where i was involved with drugs.
No charges have been pursued yet but are in the process. Hoping for njp but im expecting Court Martial and a OTH discharge. Is there any hope for me outside once i get out.
Im just hoping that us basically turning ourselves in helps the out come of the situation.
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1. Turning yourself in won't matter much if your command is in need of making an example of you. This would be particularly true if your command is having a drug problem within its command.
2. Don't wait around to see what is going to happen. Go see your 1SG and ask him/her if your company commander is sitting on the situation and if so, request that you be allowed to speak with him/her. If your deportment/performance has not been a problem and there are any real mitigating and extenuating circumstances that would suggest you get a break, request that this go no further than a company grade Article 15.
If this has been escalated to Brigade, then ask to see the brigade commander. Go in your Class A uniform and plead your case, asking that s/he limit this to a field grade Article 15.
If this has gone to Division, then seek out the specific JAG officer who is prosecuting your case. Ask for clemency and that this go no further than either a company or field grade Article 15. If you are a good performer, have combat and meritorious medals and anything else suggesting you are above average, then perhaps the JAG officer will see that escalating this to a CM is not worth anyone's time.
Except that a CM could be either a Summary or Special CM which would only tie up one judge. So you have to convince your highers that you are normally above average, a performer and that there is no merit to escalating this to a CM when you can have your hands suitably slapped with either a Company or Field grade Article 15.
It would help to have some letters of commendation from as many senior NCO's and officers as you can put together before seeing the Brigade commander and/or JAG so they can see others of rank see you as a valued member of your command.
3. In the event you are given an Article 15, don't worry, these don't show up for civilians. In my day, they would get removed from your 201 file after one year. Even if they don't get removed, civilian employers other than those requiring a secret clearance won't see it.
4. In the event you get a Summary or Special CM, know you can still get an Honorable discharge down the road, assuming you keep your nose clean.
5. Employers will know if you get an OTH discharge since you may be compelled to let them know when filling out job applications. Whether or not this will hurt you will depend on the kind of job for which you are applying and the company's culture.
6. If you get an OTH or other 'less than Honorable' discharge, you can apply to the Review Board to ask them to upgrade the character of your discharge. For them to do so, it will be necessary to show extenuating and mitigating reasons why they should upgrade your discharge. Having meritorious and/or valorous medals will help in this regard, especially if this turns out to be a one time event.
Let's just say I know someone very close to me who has experience with this.
Paul.........
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OTH Discharge ....
