I was counseled that I'm going to receive a suspended bust, stating that if I screwed up again...?

Question

...I'd be demoted. I haven't actually been counseled on the SB yet. I got in trouble again this morning -- here's my question. If my squad leader counsels me on this before I'm counseled on the SB, can they still use that against me /after/ I'm counseled on the SB to demote me?

Don't judge me or my actions when you don't know the cirucmstances or events involved, please. There's a reason I didn't include specific details, and that was because I'm looking for information on the legality of it.

If I wanted a lecture, I'd be in college.

Answer 1

The thing about Art. 15 of the UCMJ, i.e. Captain's Mast, Office Hours, etc., is that the regular rules of a civilian court don't apply. You don't get a lawyer; they don't have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, etc. It all depends on your CO. Your best bet is:

1. Be genuinely sorry for screwing up.
2. Make your CO believe it won't happen again.
3. **This one is important** Regardless of what happens, take responsibility for your mistakes and move forward!

If you get busted, put on restriction, lose money: deal with it, understand it's not the CO's fault, but yours, the person who made the mistake.

I've seen a number of people never take responsibility for their actions and spend the rest of their time in the military mad at everyone but the person who made the wrong choices. Don't let that happen to you!!!

Answer 2

Wow, does it pay better to be a rebel or do you just do it for the thrill of the bust?

They will surely put 2 and 2 together here, if not at this first counseling that you are trying to hurry up before your one on the SB, then by the time you do have your SB counseling, they will have the details of this new incident. Just because they might counsel you before the SB doesn't mean you didn't screw up after the SB and violate the terms of the SB. Get a grip on yourself and start following the rules and act like a grown-up. A mature person doesn't repeatedly violate rules and then look for loopholes to avoid punishment.

Answer 3

first you say you were counseled and given a warning along with a suspended bust. then you say you haven't been counseled yet. so which is it?!

But yeah, they can demote you. Command discretion, especially if you are a problem child. heck they can demote you based on the this set of circumstances alone, never mind what you did before.

Answer 4

Yes they can. If you try to talk your way out of it using the arguement you just did, you will get in more trouble. Cute sealawyer tricks like that just piss off COs, and make them wonder if, rather than NJP (that is an Article 15 for you Army types, and a Captain's mast for sailors) you, they should just make you stand tall at a court martial. You may not have been officially counselled, but it is in your record somewhere, and you knew it was coming. Just suck it up and hope they don't get really pissed at you for f***ing up twice in such a short period of time.

Answer 5

Here is the best answer for you....obviously your not going to share specifics....so we are not going to judge. The different types of "trouble" vary....were you late to formation? Did you miss manifest? Did you forget to put your rank on your uniform? Your question cannot be answered specifically by the information given so go speak with TDS. They are the subject matter experts.

Answer 6

Don't think like a civilian, the military don't play game. If you knew about the suspended bust you will be liable probably. the rest depends on your commanding officer and the offense. don't try playing the technicallity.

Answer 7

sorry, I dont even know what an SB is...look it up on AKO or armystudyguide.com to find out more, I recommend.