Anyone know what kind of Army punishment will ensue?

Question

My husband, who is a sergeant in the U.S. Army, is in Iraq and under a lot of stress. He has been over an hour late to work on several occasions because he can not wake up after taking prescribed Ambien. He will have to go before the reduction board. Has anyone ever gone through this before? What happens?

Answer 1

This isn't all the story. I have seen several of these cases and there is more to it. Whether you know all the facts or do, there is not a 'reduction board' per se. That would mean he has been found guilty and your point is moot. I few times late as a NCO in Iraq under the influence of prescription drugs...not a case for him to lose rank. Your not getting the full story.

Answer 2

It's the military. Show up on time. There IS no excuse for being late!

He needs to get a written letter from his doctor stating something of relevence, otherwise he will be reprimanded somehow.

Answer 3

If he got the Ambien prescribed then there should be NO issue whatsoever!  As previously stated he should make sure he's got that prescription in hand with his unit.  I'd look at getting ahold of IG and filing a complaint if he's taking a prescribed medication and his unit is trying to fry him.  That's just me though.

Answer 4

Tell him to go on sick call and see his doctor about the problem. This is a medical problem related to the prescription he is taking. The doctor will probably change the drugs or try a different treatment.

Answer 5

the last person said it all get the docter to write something up basically the medication side affects and what it can cause how it would affect him waking up....you know the ****** up thing is no one can swing by his room to see if he's up??? if i had a friend on that **** and i know it can cause you to over sleep i would be happy to check on him in the morning....you might wanna see if someone can check on him in the morning....if the docter writes that and that doesn't take care of it then i would call IG!!!! these link below might help im not sure if this even qualifies has a IG complaint...but the contact info is below...good luck

Answer 6

Hard to say..... I do not think you have all the facts. The military does not arbitrarily demote sergeants for being late to work,... especially if they are under medication. There is more to this story than you have been told. Your husband is on someones $hit list.....

Regardless there is nothing you can do except support and be there for him. This is a problem only he can work out.

It is possible he will be demoted.... that will, in this modern Army, be a career killer. No sense worrying about something that has not happened yet. All demotions are reviewed by the convening authority. If he gets demoted it will be for cause and not just a personality clash.

Answer 7

he will be given an article 15. loss of rank, loss of privledges, and if he can't show that money is necessary he will lose that too. suspension to post and depending on offense possible relief of service, but i doubt they will boot him, they may have him see a psych though. that sux they are punishing him for using something they gave him to sleep. i find i have the exact same problem with ambien. i have to literally pry my eyes open in the a.m. it sux. he shouldn't be punished for it. maybe they'll just write him up as an offense if hes really lucky. i wish him luck.

Answer 8

I agree with the others....something with that story is not adding up. First, there is no such thing as a reduction board. Second, he would not get into that kind of trouble for being late. You need to ask him what is going on b/c he is not telling the whole truth.