Still waiting....

[BlastClip]

Here's an update for those who have read my previous posts with what's going on here at Fort Drum, NY. It's become pretty clear that I'm getting a Chapter 14 and some type of court-martial. What type of CM, I don't know, but there is one coming my way. Most say I will get my CM and leave within 2 weeks after with an OTH discharge. I've had a few say that I will probably go to jail for 30 days but with good behavior get out in 25 days and THEN leave 2 weeks later with the OTH. Although, I've learned not to listen to what everyone says around here, I advise that to anyone. I'm now pretty much on hold waiting for someone on leave to come back and sign something, and THEN my wait for a CM begins. I've done my physical for being chaptered, and I'm still working on dental. I also had all my equipment shipped up and turned in so I won't be charged for it. I talked to some legal guys which told me I should have been read within my first few days here, but my Commander said they had some trouble with some paperwork and that's why this is just now moving along. I'm still restricted to post, but it's not an issue for me since my life is back in Texas with my wife. I just live day by day, acting like your average soldier at work. I'm still treated good, and sometimes it seems even better than all the other guys. Maybe they consider the fact that I'm leaving the Army, so my actions and stuff are less of a concern to em. I get along very well with everyone, even made a few friends that I might keep in touch with even after I leave. But like I said, I'm on hold for now, and not much has happened so far. As soon as something does I will be sure to post it, Take care guys.

[patriotam22]

Originally Posted by BlastClip

Here's an update for those who have read my previous posts with what's going on here at Fort Drum, NY. It's become pretty clear that I'm getting a Chapter 14 and some type of court-martial. What type of CM, I don't know, but there is one coming my way. Most say I will get my CM and leave within 2 weeks after with an OTH discharge. I've had a few say that I will probably go to jail for 30 days but with good behavior get out in 25 days and THEN leave 2 weeks later with the OTH. Although, I've learned not to listen to what everyone says around here, I advise that to anyone. I'm now pretty much on hold waiting for someone on leave to come back and sign something, and THEN my wait for a CM begins. I've done my physical for being chaptered, and I'm still working on dental. I also had all my equipment shipped up and turned in so I won't be charged for it. I talked to some legal guys which told me I should have been read within my first few days here, but my Commander said they had some trouble with some paperwork and that's why this is just now moving along. I'm still restricted to post, but it's not an issue for me since my life is back in Texas with my wife. I just live day by day, acting like your average soldier at work. I'm still treated good, and sometimes it seems even better than all the other guys. Maybe they consider the fact that I'm leaving the Army, so my actions and stuff are less of a concern to em. I get along very well with everyone, even made a few friends that I might keep in touch with even after I leave. But like I said, I'm on hold for now, and not much has happened so far. As soon as something does I will be sure to post it, Take care guys.

take care man, love reading your up-to-date updates, will pray all goes well for you keep us informed when you can. I have no doubts that you'll be ok. You may just end up getting a chapter 10 and sent home when it comes down to it. Do they REALLY wanna go through all the motions to send you to jail for 30 days? Go through all the hearings and preceedings? Or just say get this guy out of here now. I think you'll be ok but keep us informed.

[BlastClip]

Ok I've been here over a month now, this last week I received no word of anything, and the week before I received no word of anything. Three weeks ago I was sent to Trial Defense Services and I was kicked-back for an incomplete packet, I then walked over to my brigade's legal office and asked what the problem was. They said the Major in charge at legal was on leave for that week and would be back the 26th of June to sign some papers I needed. So I understand that the week before this last week I was pretty much just waiting on the Major to return from leave, but then another week goes by after that and still no word of anything. I've been told over and over again that they are trying to get me out of here quick, but I'm still left out in the cold like . I've asked about it, my wife has asked about it, but we get no clear answers as to what is going on. I'm treated really good by the command, but I am super curious as to what is going on, and if they are even working on my situation. Anyone have the slightest idea of what might be going on? Is it normal that they don't release very much information to me of what is going on? I know the military is slow with many things but wouldn't they at least keep me up to date of the situation? Thanks guys.

[SHORTY LONG]

01 JULY 06

BlastClip, good hearing from you; thank you for sharing with us of what is going on with you! Correct me if I am wrong, that is, you are not being CM but you are being discharged by way of Administration with an "oth?" Just curious, any way of changing your mind and wanting to stay in? If not, OK but just curious. About processing you out; again if you are not being Courted out and Admin. out, it will not be to much longer; hang in there BlastClip! Each day that passes is a day closer for your release! Shorty

[Tanon]

Hey BlastClip, thought I'd throw my info in from Fort Bliss.

I'm basically in the same boat.

Getting Chapter 14 Midsconduct. 30 days in jail. OTH discharge.


I'm already done outprocessing, but I'm also waiting on my CM. ITs going to be a Special Court Martial, and I assume yours will be just the same.

I'm supposed to be SCM'd this week, but we'll see.

But I'm not restricted to base, infact I'm at home for the holidays.

[BlastClip]

Hooray finally something new is happening! I got my chance to drop in to TDS and talk with an attorney and everything. He gave me my options and all the worst-case scenarios. He says the LTC over the prosecution board or whatever is pretty reluctant for AWOL guys that are gone for more than 6 months, so he said don't get your hopes up too much. We decided to take the option of pleading guilty in exchange for lowering my Special Court-Martial to a Summary Court-Martial which would in turn get me home sooner. Sooner I get home to my wife, the better, and my attorney wants the same for me. Which I will find out within the next 8 days if my pleading guilty is accepted or denied. He said again not to get my hopes up, but if all else fails and I do go to the Special Court-Martial trial, the circumstances of my case would be on my side because he says the Judge is pretty easy on AWOL guys....especially young soldiers and even moreso young married soldiers. There is still the possibility that I go to jail for a good bit of time and possibly get a worse discharge than what expected, so from here I've just got to hang in there and pray that all goes well. I'll be sure to update within the next couple weeks on what is being decided. Advice to any AWOL guys, especially perm. party....go back as soon as you can, you'll be treated good, better than alot of the guys on these boards treat you. If you get back soon enough it's very possible that the entire Court-Martial process be skipped and they just Chapter you out, if that's what you want that is. A couple guys in my unit before I came back were AWOL like 5 months and they got off with no jail and within a couple months. That beats what is going on with me, I'm looking at possibly up to 1 year at this point. Think it over, if you have questions just ask me or Tanon, he seems to be in nearly the same situation where he is. Be prepared for the worst, I would have had alot harder of a time if I hadn't made sure my wife could take care of things back home before I came back up here.....but don't preperations keep you for too long, that was one of my mistakes. Ok guys, take care.

Originally Posted by BlastClip

Hooray finally something new is happening! I got my chance to drop in to TDS and talk with an attorney and everything. He gave me my options and all the worst-case scenarios. He says the LTC over the prosecution board or whatever is pretty reluctant for AWOL guys that are gone for more than 6 months, so he said don't get your hopes up too much. We decided to take the option of pleading guilty in exchange for lowering my Special Court-Martial to a Summary Court-Martial which would in turn get me home sooner. Sooner I get home to my wife, the better, and my attorney wants the same for me. Which I will find out within the next 8 days if my pleading guilty is accepted or denied. He said again not to get my hopes up, but if all else fails and I do go to the Special Court-Martial trial, the circumstances of my case would be on my side because he says the Judge is pretty easy on AWOL guys....especially young soldiers and even moreso young married soldiers. There is still the possibility that I go to jail for a good bit of time and possibly get a worse discharge than what expected, so from here I've just got to hang in there and pray that all goes well. I'll be sure to update within the next couple weeks on what is being decided. Advice to any AWOL guys, especially perm. party....go back as soon as you can, you'll be treated good, better than alot of the guys on these boards treat you. If you get back soon enough it's very possible that the entire Court-Martial process be skipped and they just Chapter you out, if that's what you want that is. A couple guys in my unit before I came back were AWOL like 5 months and they got off with no jail and within a couple months. That beats what is going on with me, I'm looking at possibly up to 1 year at this point. Think it over, if you have questions just ask me or Tanon, he seems to be in nearly the same situation where he is. Be prepared for the worst, I would have had alot harder of a time if I hadn't made sure my wife could take care of things back home before I came back up here.....but don't preperations keep you for too long, that was one of my mistakes. Ok guys, take care.

Fort Drum is a stone throw from Syracuse.

Anyway: Not everything in life is like a drive through Burger King window.

Fast Fast Quick Quick Now Now... I want out I want out...

It will happen in due time.

Sorry to be so indifferent... It's late

Good luck

[BlastClip]

I got denied a summary CM, nobody is really sure why**************..quiet suprised actually, but it happens. So now I'm looking toward a special CM, which is on the 25th of this month. I'm told I have alot going for me as far as getting some mercy I guess you could say. I know I'm most likely gonna be locked up for some time, just not sure how long. Where am at now is pretty bad as it is, I'm told that it isn't really THAT much worse in jail. Anyways though, that's that, one step closer to getting this all behind me and move on with life.

[BlastClip]

My court date was moved to the 23rd of August, which is Wednesday of next week. I made a pre-trial agreement to pleed guilty for AWOL, in exchange that the government gives me no more than 5 months confinement, which with good behavior is around 4 months and 5 days. I will be given a BCD, and if the judge decides not to, the unit will almost certainly chapter me, which can be nothing worse than a general under honorable. I also gave up the privelege of having a witness come with all expenses covered by the government as part of the pre-trial agreement. Although I will still have some family coming as witnesses, they have to pay there own way. Just giving an update on what's going on, and letting you all know, don't believe everything you read, or even believe what a seemingly respectful person tells you. The truth is, it doesn't always turn out like you expect, and every case is treated differently, even if the circumstances seem the same. I will do my time and move on with life, and it will be a scar that sticks with me.....but I have gotten alot out of all this, and I wish all you AWOL guys the best, hopefully they will be easy on you. Just take it as a lesson learned and live life. That's it from me, as I will soon be in confinement. Take care everyone and God bless.

Originally Posted by BlastClip

My court date was moved to the 23rd of August, which is Wednesday of next week. I made a pre-trial agreement to pleed guilty for AWOL, in exchange that the government gives me no more than 5 months confinement, which with good behavior is around 4 months and 5 days. I will be given a BCD, and if the judge decides not to, the unit will almost certainly chapter me, which can be nothing worse than a general under honorable. I also gave up the privelege of having a witness come with all expenses covered by the government as part of the pre-trial agreement. Although I will still have some family coming as witnesses, they have to pay there own way. Just giving an update on what's going on, and letting you all know, don't believe everything you read, or even believe what a seemingly respectful person tells you. The truth is, it doesn't always turn out like you expect, and every case is treated differently, even if the circumstances seem the same. I will do my time and move on with life, and it will be a scar that sticks with me.....but I have gotten alot out of all this, and I wish all you AWOL guys the best, hopefully they will be easy on you. Just take it as a lesson learned and live life. That's it from me, as I will soon be in confinement. Take care everyone and God bless.

I wish you the best of luck.

[SHORTY LONG]

19 AUG 06

BlastClip, your post is down to earth and somewhat reational! Why I state this, is that I hope you do not get a "BCD" for I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH WORDS to express what it will do to your life! So, if at alll possible, plead for mercy to not have this "badge of infamy" with lifelong stigma consequences!

Originally Posted by BlastClip

My court date was moved to the 23rd of August, which is Wednesday of next week. I made a pre-trial agreement to pleed guilty for AWOL, in exchange that the government gives me no more than 5 months confinement, which with good behavior is around 4 months and 5 days. I will be given a BCD, and if the judge decides not to, the unit will almost certainly chapter me, which can be nothing worse than a general under honorable. I also gave up the privelege of having a witness come with all expenses covered by the government as part of the pre-trial agreement. Although I will still have some family coming as witnesses, they have to pay there own way. Just giving an update on what's going on, and letting you all know, don't believe everything you read, or even believe what a seemingly respectful person tells you. The truth is, it doesn't always turn out like you expect, and every case is treated differently, even if the circumstances seem the same. I will do my time and move on with life, and it will be a scar that sticks with me.....but I have gotten alot out of all this, and I wish all you AWOL guys the best, hopefully they will be easy on you. Just take it as a lesson learned and live life. That's it from me, as I will soon be in confinement. Take care everyone and God bless.

[Tanon]

Wow Blast they screwed you over big time.

I actually just got back from Jail, and I start clearing this week hopefully.

I was given a summarized court martial, 30 days in jail, and an OTH discharge.



Best of luck with your CM though, hopefully they won't take it rough on you.

[BlastClip]

Yeah I'm begging that I don't get the BCD, but the rate that things are going for me, I expect to get it. Good to hear your done with your time in Tanon, be glad you got what you did.

[patriotam22]

tanon what was army prison like? What did you do daily? Was it super strict? Were you in any danger? What was it like?

[Tanon]

Sorry patriot just saw this post today.

No idea what "Army" prison is like because I was only sentenced to 30 days. At least here at fort bliss they send all pre-trial and people serving 30 days or less up to Otero County Prison.

If you serve over 30 days then they send you to Fort Sill or another base that has a facility.



As for where I served, it was Solitary Confinement. 23 hours out of everyday you spent in your tiny 8 by 12 cell. You got an hour of outside recreation, and a shower. Thats the only times you got out. You got 2 books a week, and the food was really lousy. I won't say it was fun, or even halfway enjoyable. It wasn't. But its not unbearable.