underage drinking citation

I was at a party this weekend where a bunch of kids were drinking, myself not one of them. Unfortunately, a good friend of mine with a USAFA appointment was given a ticket for underage drinking. I feel really bad for him, will something like this affect a service academy appointment?

edit: forget to mention, i posted in this forum because I have an appointment to USMA next year

Certainly won't help.

LineInTheSand said:

Certainly won't help.

Click to expand...

why bother even responding....

He'll have to notify his liaison officer and see what they say. I'm sure they'll pick it up later (if he doesn't disclose it) and it's grounds for separation if he's found guilty.

milesthang - your friend needs a lawyer and he needs to call admissions. Encourage him to call admissions - they are going to find out anyway and it's better to be upfront and repentant. They are the only ones who can tell him what his status is.
I am pretty sure he can't report if this is still outstanding on R-day. Don't quote me on that but that is my understanding.
So - first the matter needs to be resolved legally.

Once the matter is resolved legally it doesn't mean his appointment will necessarily be revoked. He probably will have to explain it or go before a character board.

As for you - you are lucky. In some states just being in the presence of alcohol (without partaking) can be cause for a citation. I guess I don't need to tell you to keep your nose clean as the end of the year, prom and graduation approaches.

misdemeanors

Not being forthright and attempting to duck the issue will likley result in your friend losing his/her admission.

Being forthright immediately to the academy on all the details and keeping them informed, regardless of the legal outcome, will likely not put his/her admission at risk.

If the drinking involved driving or DMV, he/she has a problem.

If the misdemeanor involved drugs, he/she has a problem.

If the misdemeanor becomes a felony or involved violence he/she has a problem.

In anycase full and immediate disclosure is required. This wil not be the first cadet or cadet candidate that did something stupid.

But, it should start to dawn on all those amiditted to a service academy that this is a huge privelege and a covetted honor and they should live their lives accordingly. If you were admitted and accepted your standards of allowable conduct have changed versus your senior year peer groups.

Well it was certainly something stupid to do considering he had an appointment. I suggest you don't get into those situations due to "guilt by association" if you ever plan on attending a service academy.

He needs to contact the academy or his contact ASAP and tell them about the incident. He must show initiative in a time like this and assure them it will never happen again.

Okay, from an ALO...

If he was one of my candidates, after I let him know HOW much he's let HIMSELF, ME, his FAMILY, and the AIR FORCE down...we'd have a serious chat.

This can VERY EASILY be a killer.

Underage drinking is an indication of a willingness to violate the law and that is NOT what I want in an officer. The USAFA/USMA/USMMA/USNA/USCGA also does NOT want that. We want/require/need individuals willing to go the extra mile in following the rules. We have to be able to trust them; sometmes with the nations secrets.

This would put your friend in MY category of: "Can I trust him...right now..I don't think so."

All is NOT lost but he MUST MUST MUST call his ALO ASAP and talk with him/her and explain what we call in the military: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

This is NOT good!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83