Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Drug Use

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/27/2009


Question
Mark,
My daughter is in the USCG as a reservist. she had a tramatic event happen to her recently. she turned to drug use to manage her pain.she wants to get help. Would a self referral to her CO get her kicked out of the reserves she's only been in for about 18 months. she loves being a part of the USCG and that would destry her. She dosen't know what to do. Most of the treatment programs are at least 60 days and that means she'd miss two drill weekends

Answer
Christi,
I'm sorry to hear she turned to drugs, but at least she has opened to you and wants help.  You're right, a self-referral is an honorable thing but the CO is duty-bound to discharge her.  My suggestion is that she discuss this with the USCG chaplain.  What she tells him will be kept in confidence and he can run interference for her to help her work through the system.  (By the way, a doctor is not under oath to keep a patient's record confidential.)  If anyone finds out AFTER she talks to the Chaplain she is immune from punishment because she's already confided in him.

If there is not a chaplain where she performs her reservist duty, then she can talk via e-mail to USCG Chaplain McKay via e-mail at Daniel.E.McKay@uscg.mil.  She may want to e-mail him for advice anyway since it's often easier than face-to-face and she can initially remain anonymous.

I wish her all the best and thanks for serving in uniform.
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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