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Question
Hello-my son just finished his basic at Ft. Sill and has stayed there for AIT. During basic he was sleepwalking for about a month everynight. Several times he asked the fireguard for his weapon and tried to leave the building.Will this cause him to be discharged and if so what will be the procedure?He had never had any problems sleepwalking before.
Gail,
Sleepwalking is more commonly experienced in people with high levels of stress, anxiety or psychological factors. Since he has no history of it, the stress of simply being in the Army, and attending Field Artillery School is most likely the culprit.
Sleepwalking falls into the medical category of "Personality, conduct, and behavior disorders." Sometimes that can be a reason for discharge if the soldier is considered a threat to himself or others. Asking for his weapon is not a good sign. Sometimes the soldier is simply monitored to see how frequently this occurs. In the old days the soldier used to have his buddies tie him to the bed to prevent discharge offenses. Nowadays they have medication to help prevent sleepwalking.
It mostly depends upon the severity of the individual case. Hopefully he'll get to continue his Army career.
Colonel H
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Answers by Expert:
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.
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Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.
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