Quote:
Originally posted by James
I have been told it can be a career killer for an officer.
Not sure why that would be . . . it doesn't much correlate with your ability to lead troops in combat.
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Falls under the charge 'Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman' (Article 133, Uniform Code of Military Justice). Officers are expected to set the example by their behavior to their enlisted troops, which is why officers do not earn a Good Conduct Medal every three years on active duty (a GCM on an officer is a sure-fire way to tell the person was prior enlisted).
Officers go through promotion boards, where the board minutely scrutinizes the personnel record of the promotion candidates. While promotion to the first three officer grades (2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain (Ensign, Lt. Junior Grade and Lieutenant in the Navy)) is nearly automatic after completing time in service (2 years in for 1LT, 4 years for Capt.), adverse disciplinary action may be enough to prevent someone from pinning on higher rank. Being passed over twice at the promotion boards is enough to cause immediate separation from the military.
First offense for a DUI/DWI on or off base is an almost guaranteed an Article 15 (Non Judicial Punishment) proceeding by the commanding officer. Punishment for an offense ranges from loss of rank and pay, confinement and fines depending on the offender's rank. Plus for enlisted, the time period of the GCM resets on the day Article 15 punishment is imposed. In many cases, a first offense Article 15 may include loss of on-base driving privileges as well.
The accused may demand trial by court martial instead of taking the Article 15; however a conviction by court martial is a federal offense and stays on your criminal record.