Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 12/15/2009

Question
My son just called me and was scheduled to come home for Christmas and this would be the first one in 3 years.  He also just got back from Iraq.  He did something stupid and got caught with marjuana.  Is there anyway he could still come home??  Also is he looking at being thrown out of the army.  He has just signed to relist.

Answer
Your son is about to have a bad time in the military. His marijuana possession is a crime under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice and he will be punished as such.  Depending on the amount he was caught with, he could face anything from administrative action (fine/extra duty) to jail time, to punitive discharges.  His unit may still allow him to go on leave to visit you for christmas, but it is his unit Commander's decision, and it wouldn't be surprising if they revoked his leave for this.  Being separated from the military is definitely a possibility for the offense he's been accused of.  My advice would be for him to not spend any portion of a re-enlistment bonus he may have received because they will probably move to take it back if he is separated without completing his term of service.