Good Order and Discipline
I sent a soldier home from the army today with an Other Than Honorable Discharge. He’d been AWOL for almost 2 years and had been Dropped From Rolls before he’d ever reported to the unit.
He came back because he was arrested in Florida and had a federal warrant. He came back, he did his time, he was always where he needed to be when he needed to be there. I chose to separate him under a Chapter 10 because he didn’t even come back when he was supposed to.
He made poor choices. He’s no longer a soldier. This should not be a difficult decision and yet, it is weighing on me. Heavily.
Here’s where I’m struggling. As a commander, I must ensure good order and discipline. Soldiers have to follow the orders of the officers and NCOs appointed over them. That’s just the way it goes in the Army. You don’t get the option to obey.
We said farewell to this young soldier today. And that Other Than Honorable Discharge is going to stick with him. It may keep him from getting a job and overcoming his mistakes.
These are the things that keep me up at night. Did I make the right decision for my unit, for the Soldier and for the Army. This is more than what the Army pays me to do – it is expected of me to make the tough decisions.
These are not easy decisions. Because if the little things – and arguably going AWOL for 2 years is not a little thing – are allowed to slide, then we end up with bigger “things”.
Since becoming a commander, I’ve always had such a certainty of purpose. That I knew what the right thing was. Sometimes, I had to talk through to get to the right thing but when it comes down to it, I knew what I had to do. It didn’t bother me. I can’t change the decision I made and yet, I find myself struggling with these decisions as new situations develop.
I guess I need to backtrack and start at my end state.
What is the desired goal?
How do I get there? What are the different avenues that will still get to the correct end state where we have a unit that is functioning with good order and discipline?
I love being a commander. But sometimes, the right thing to do isn’t clear cut.
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People have to learn to be accountable for their actions. I believe that you did the right thing; he needed to have more integrity and stick with what he decided to do in the first place. Thank you for your service and devotion to our country!
I know Jessica, this decision didn't come without you reviewing all angles and nothing is ever clear cut. We also have to take into account our own emotions, the decisions we make and how they will affect us, effect the greater cause. Afterall, we need some kind of validation for our own actions. We do need a clear conscious when all is said and done. The man who went AWOL, probably isn't a bad person yet he made a choice to enlist. Whether from fear or for some other reason, he chose to run. The military has resources he could've turned to. The betterment of an entire unit means looking out for what's best for that entire unit and anyone who shows a lack of integrity and respect would hinder and possibly endanger another human life. Also, the unit requires leaders who lead with justice, fairness, courage and strength. Seems to me, you have all that in spades.
