03-03-2008, 16:08
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#1
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Texas, I can see OK from here!
Posts: 2,077
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I am so pi$$ed
I am so pissed! A young Specialist in my unit just got popped for a DUI leaving post Saturday night. This guy was a bright, smart, “jonnie-on-the spot” troop that was great at his job…but made a crucial error in judgment. He is an E4 promotable waiting out the points game. I worked with this kid on a new commo package we put together and he was quick to understand the technology, grasp the importance of his role, when we thought we were going to go catch a falling satellite the BC assigned him to the CG’s commo team. Hell the CG just gave the kid a coin for his efforts last week and the BC instructed his NCO to write him up for AAM.
But he just screwed all of that up!! Blew a .07 at the gate leaving post. I am pissed at this kid for making a huge totally avoidable error. I am pissed that his Blue Falcon battle buddy, that had nothing to drink that day, let him drive while he just at in the passenger seat. I am pissed because this is the first DUI incident in the unit in over 3 years. I am pissed because the command just suffered the loss of some family members killed by a drunk driver and this bozo knew about that. I am pissed because I voiced my opinion to the command that this troop was one to watch, groom and nurture! I am pissed because a bright young troop just pissed way a promising career.
Again I beg everyone to be smart and do not drink and drive. Watch out for your buddy, team mates, and others. Don’t think you are bigger than the law or the law of averages, if you drink and drive it will catch up to you. I don't want to sound like the Battalion Safety Officer...but if you want to drink don't drive a damn car! It's really not that hard!
Rant off…now I gotta go find some other young troop to train and mentor. Yeah, the next one is going to get an earful about how not to make dumb mistakes!
Last edited by SF18C; 03-03-2008 at 16:11.
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SF18C is offline
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03-03-2008, 16:15
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,813
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I lost a great medic and outstanding 18D SSG with a DUI on a deployment as well.
At that time, it was the kiss of death, the USASFC CG withheld the filing determination authority, and it was always permanent record with him.
He got a Soldier's Medal for his actions on a deployment, and a QMP packet two weeks later. Less than a year afterwards, he was a civilian.
At least there was no accident and no one was injured.
This is not your father's army. Drinking and driving is not going to be tolerated. Everyone in a uniform needs to decide if they want to be a soldier or a civilian before they start drinking and get behind the wheel.
TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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03-03-2008, 16:55
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#3
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: The Black Hills of SD
Posts: 5,944
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Great post !!!!
FWIW, this should be made into a stickie.
My $0.02
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Non Sibi Sed Suis
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It's Good To Be Da King !!!! Just ask NDD !!!! 
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Sdiver is offline
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03-03-2008, 16:59
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#4
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Guerrilla
Join Date: May 2007
Location: lake,ms
Posts: 113
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Great post!
I remember the things we used to pull in the late 60's and early 70's, I believe they would lock us up and throw the key away now days.
This post needs to be required reading by all members of the military and any inductees that are going thru reception station.
clapdoc sends.
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clapdoc is offline
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03-03-2008, 17:07
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: OCONUS...again
Posts: 4,702
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SF18C,
"ONE mistake does NOT make a man!"
Stay safe.
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“It is better to have sheep led by a lion than lions led by a sheep.”
-DE OPPRESSO LIBER-
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Guy is offline
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03-03-2008, 21:52
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#6
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Guerrilla
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kansas
Posts: 249
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guy
SF18C,
"ONE mistake does NOT make a man!"
Stay safe.
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No, but one mistake can kill a whole family, a couple, a man...or another soldier.
One mistake can unmake a life.
Great post - I just sent this to my soldier sons.
Yep, darn right - Stay safe!
Three Soldier Dad.
__________________
I never let school get in the way of my education
- Mark Twain
Last edited by 3SoldierDad; 03-03-2008 at 21:59.
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3SoldierDad is offline
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03-04-2008, 05:38
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#7
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa
Posts: 2,527
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Be pissed...it was a mistake yes, but it was one I am damn happy he got CAUGHT doing.
Of course, this is especially tight with me as my younger brother was just killed 16 Feb this year by a guy who blew a .07, 3rd DUI, had beer, vodka, and 5 Rx narcotics in the car / in his system. My brother is dead none the less. I have no sympathy whatsoever for this kid.
You stuck your neck out and vouched for someone, then got your head cut off. The faith you placed in this kid has now been wasted. Don't let it prevent you from choosing the next "one to watch".
Eagle
__________________
Primum non Nocere
"I have hung out in dangerous places a lot over the years, from combat zones to biker bars, and it is the weak, the unaware, or those looking for it, that usually find trouble.
Ain't no one getting out of this world alive. All you can do is try to have some choice in the way you go. Prepare yourself (and your affairs), and when your number is up, die on your feet fighting rather than on your knees. And make the SOBs pay dearly."
The Reaper-3 Sep 04
Last edited by Eagle5US; 03-04-2008 at 05:41.
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Eagle5US is offline
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03-04-2008, 06:07
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#8
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Texas, I can see OK from here!
Posts: 2,077
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Guy, yes I agree that "ONE mistake does NOT make a man!" But in today’s Army there are a few zero tolerance issues that everyone must abide by if they choose to be a U.S. Army Soldier; no drinking and driving, no drug abuse of any kind, and stay clear of any sexual harassment situation. These things can end a career without a second chance. E-4, O-4, SF, or conventional support troop: situational awareness and operating within the constraints of your environment will always be key to achieving success.
Eagle5, yes I agree that it was much better to get caught prior to ending someone’s life.
I am not too bothered by the fact that I stuck my neck out for this kid but you can be damn sure that the next one will get the common sense discussion! With these young and upcoming troops I try to not cross the line into what is an NCO’s job but for better or worse they do look up to me as “the old SF guy” and I truly want to bring the best out in them. I work with them, I train with them, and I deploy with them…someday it’s like having my own little G-camp! It just burns me that THEY know better than this. I don’t want to sound as if I am holier-than-thou; yes I drink - sometimes way too much; I live in Italy, the land of wine and Grappa, you can get awesome Cuban Rum here, and I am only a few hours away from great German Pilsners; yes I have been know to “tie-one-on” but the simple rule I use- if I start drinking I stop driving.
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SF18C is offline
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03-04-2008, 06:42
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#9
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: south western pa.
Posts: 692
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Quote:
I remember the things we used to pull in the late 60's and early 70's, I believe they would lock us up and throw the key away now days.
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Clapdoc: Mine goes back to the late 50s early 60s. How very lucky we were not to have ruined our careers/lives or some innocents life.
Agree this should be required learning on all levels or rank or responsibilities.
__________________
Special Forces Association A-593 Life
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Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotle
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swpa19 is offline
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03-04-2008, 09:08
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#10
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: OCONUS...again
Posts: 4,702
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Like I'm not aware of this...
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3SoldierDad
No, but one mistake can kill a whole family, a couple, a man...or another soldier.
One mistake can unmake a life.
Great post - I just sent this to my soldier sons.
Yep, darn right - Stay safe!
Three Soldier Dad.
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I hire kids all the time! The problem is with the parents and society...
Instead of letting their asses remain in jail; they are immediately bailed out; lawyers hired and charges reduced or dropped. WTF kinda of lesson is that?
I have a guy here that started his own HVAC company and is pulling in $200K/yr NET! You oughtta hear his story about previous screw ups yet...some "old" SOB put foot in his ass and he straightened up. 
SF18C,
Don't preach to me about "Todays" Army! The majority of the Army is sitting on their collective asses in "secured" bases generating Power Point slides and enforcing assinine directives.
The kid screwed up and he has to pay-the-piper! I know of GOs, SNCOs and politicians that have done the same thing...it wasn't the end of the world for them?
Stay safe.
BTW...If you're caught drinking & driving in CA...your car is gone and I totally agree.
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“It is better to have sheep led by a lion than lions led by a sheep.”
-DE OPPRESSO LIBER-
Last edited by Guy; 03-04-2008 at 09:33.
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Guy is offline
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03-04-2008, 09:39
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#11
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guy
I I know of GOs, SNCOs and politicians that have done the same thing...it wasn't the end of the world for them?Stay safe.
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I think we all do, but that further compounds the problem when it comes to the application of fair and impartial punishment and makes a mockery of the system. It becomes a good lesson in what happens with the application of situational ethics. I can remember back when happy hour was a command performance and if you did not drink then you were considered a pariah and careers were destroyed as quickly for those that did not drink back then as those that are destroyed today by those that do.
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Wenn einer von uns fallen sollt, der Andere steht für zwei.
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Jack Moroney (RIP) is offline
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03-04-2008, 09:57
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#12
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: OCONUS...again
Posts: 4,702
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Roger that!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jack Moroney
I think we all do, but that further compounds the problem when it comes to the application of fair and impartial punishment and makes a mockery of the system. It becomes a good lesson in what happens with the application of situational ethics. I can remember back when happy hour was a command performance and if you did not drink then you were considered a pariah and careers were destroyed as quickly for those that did not drink back then as those that are destroyed today by those that do.
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It's common on the civilian side also.
Stay safe.
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“It is better to have sheep led by a lion than lions led by a sheep.”
-DE OPPRESSO LIBER-
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Guy is offline
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03-04-2008, 10:03
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#13
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 20,929
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guy
It's common on the civilian side also.
Stay safe.
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Yes, Senator edward m. kennedy comes to mind.
A date with edward m. kennedy: get drunk, have an accident, kill a nice little girl and run away.....
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"The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy, but where they are."
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Team Sergeant is offline
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03-04-2008, 10:15
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#14
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Columbus
Posts: 793
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Watched the Kennedy endorsement of Obama a couple of weeks ago on CNN with my 17 y.o. daughter. When I gave her the background on Teddy she wanted to know why he wasn’t in prison instead of in office! 
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Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. - John Adams
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sg1987 is offline
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03-04-2008, 11:13
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#15
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: OCONUS...again
Posts: 4,702
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LOL!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Yes, Senator edward m. kennedy comes to mind.
A date with edward m. kennedy: get drunk, have an accident, kill a nice little girl and run away.....
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Someone took a picture of us downtown Baghdad picking up some beer. 
The only problem was...it wasn't for us!
"If we get hit picking this up, someone better have a damn good explaination."
Stay safe.
__________________
“It is better to have sheep led by a lion than lions led by a sheep.”
-DE OPPRESSO LIBER-
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Guy is offline
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