No, it is nearly impossible to get promoted in the military with a DUI.
However, if you haven’t been convicted yet, a Los Angeles DUI lawyer may be able to help you get the charges dropped or secure you a good plea bargain to save your military career.
The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the more time they’ll have to build a strong case, so don’t delay. Schedule a free consultation today.
Do You Have to Tell the Military About Your DUI?
What happens if you hide a DUI from your employer differs a lot when your employer is the United States Military.
After all, the military has access to extensive databases that can track criminal records, including DUI convictions. They will find out about your DUI sooner or later.
Your best bet is to immediately come clean to your commanding officer. Attempting to hide your DUI will only make things much worse for you in the long run.
The Severity of a DUI in the Military
A DUI is regarded much more harshly in the military than in the civilian world because military service members make an oath to be model citizens who respect the law.
Additionally, many service members spend time operating vehicles on land, in the air, or in the water, and the military must be confident they’re sober when doing so.
As a result, DUIs are taken very seriously and can result in demotions or less-than-honorable discharges. That’s on top of losing chances of getting promoted in the future if you manage to keep your job, which certainly isn’t guaranteed.
Military Consequences for a DUI
On top of the civilian penalties you’ll have to deal with for your DUI, some of the military consequences you might face include:
- Disciplinary actions (including a reduction of rank or loss of pay)
- Loss of security clearance
- Difficulty reenlisting
- Discharge proceedings
How a DUI Affects Promotion
There are a few ways a DUI affects your ability to get promoted in the military. These fall into two main categories: direct disqualification and a negative impact on promotion board decisions.
Direct Disqualification
Some ways you can be directly disqualified from a promotion include:
- Loss of required security clearance
- Receiving a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR)
- Inability to reenlist
- Less-than-honorable or dishonorable discharge
Negative Impact on Promotion Board Decisions
Some of the less direct ways that a DUI can prevent you from getting a promotion include how it makes the promotion board see you.
For example, a DUI will affect how they perceive your:
- Leadership qualities
- Decision-making ability
- Reliability and trustworthiness
Can You Still Get Promoted After a DUI?
In times of war, like during the Gulf War and after the events of 9/11, the military is more likely to overlook something like a DUI when enlisting and promoting people.
However, current Reductions in Force (RIF) policies mean the military is currently looking for ways to cut people from the ranks and payroll, so they’re unlikely to overlook a DUI when deciding whom to promote.
In fact, you may be more likely to be discharged and certainly prevented from re-enlisting.
Beyond the Military
A DUI is likely to terminate your military career sooner than you would like through either a discharge, inability to reenlist, or forced retirement.
As a result, you also need to think about how a DUI will affect your ability to function as a civilian. A DUI can make it harder to:
- Get a job
- Get a loan
- Start a business
- Acquire professional certifications
Seeking Legal Help After a DUI
So, you were arrested for a DUI. Now what? A DUI lawyer may be able to help you get your DUI charges reduced or even tossed out entirely.
If you schedule a per se DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest, you may even be able to prevent your driver’s license from being suspended, especially if you have a DUI attorney on your side.
A free consultation with a DUI lawyer can let you know what your options are.
How a DUI Lawyer May Help
There are many ways a DUI lawyer can help when you’re facing a DUI, such as:
- Informing you about your rights every step of the way
- Attending your per se DMV hearing to help prevent your driver’s license from being suspended
- Looking for evidence to help dispute your DUI
- Helping you get a good plea deal
- In some cases, they may be able to get your charges dropped entirely
Contact a Los Angeles DUI Attorney
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, Los Angeles DUI Attorney can connect you with an experienced DUI lawyer who may be able to get your charges dropped and save your military career.
Consequences like a suspended driver’s license start happening quickly after a DUI arrest, so schedule a free consultation today.
