Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/22/2010

Question
Sir, I am currently a recipient/member of the US Army Health Professions Scholarship Program.  As such, I am a Commissioned Officer in the IRR, and will be on Active Duty upon graduation in 2012.  A week ago, I made the biggest mistake of my adult life, when I drove after drinking and got a DUI.  I am very embarrassed by my actions and also confused as to whether I should tell someone or take care of it myself.  Also, if I do tell someone, what type of disciplinary actions should I expect?  Thank you for your help.

Answer
M.S.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  A momentary lapse in judgment can do that.  Unfortunately you found out the hard way.

By all means, report it to your supervisor.  Normally nothing much will happen because you told them first.  It's when you try to keep it from them and they find out anyway that heads begin to roll.

Hopefully you weren't incarcerated, even briefly.  Continue to do what the court requires (fine, etc.).  It looks good on your behalf that you were "man enough" to handle matters on your own and resolved the problem.

When you report the DUI to your boss, try to downplay it as much as possible, like "I was barely over the limit", "it's was my first and only trouble with the law" etc.  It will impress your boss that you voluntarily "came clean", that you're sorry it happened and it'll never happen again, and maybe lead him/her to believe that it really wasn't such a big deal.  However, don't act nonchalant...it may lead him/her to think you don't really care.

Disciplinary actions, if any, depends upon several factors...

If it's a first offense I usually just give a verbal reprimand and forget it.

If it's more serious, such as testing way over the limit or having minors in the car, etc. I usually slap them with a monetary fine and document it in their record.

If it involved injuries, car wrecks, etc. then I consider confinement (jail).

Of course that's just me.  Some may do more, some less.  It just depends upon the individual personalities involved.

Bottom line...fess up now, regardless of the consequences you'll have done the right thing.

I wish you well,
Colonel H