DR Ron,
It was mentioned on BROTHERS & SISTERS last night that the Army wanted Justin back and would handle his rehabilitation itself. That was their way of circumventing your criticisms. If I understand you correctly, the writers are totally off base about that, that this would never happen.
Is the policy you have stated for all the U.S. military or is it possible, especially in this age of a lack of the draft, that the Army especially might be a bit more lenient about it needing every body they can get their hands on?
I'm not challenging your knowledge; after all, you were in the service; I wasn't. I'm just wondering if perhaps things have changed a bit since Iraq.
It is certainly possible that in some cases, the Army would seek to rehabilitate rather than simply cast off. I can also imagine that in the volunteer era, some cases might be referred to rehab rather than discharge. However:
Army Policy:
In accordance with Army Regulation 600-85, Army Substance Abuse Program, drug abuse will not be tolerated and there are serious consequences for such misbehavior.
All soldiers, to include Army National Guard (ARNG) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) soldiers ordered to Active Duty (AD), under Title 10, U.S. Code, who are identified as drug abusers, without exception, will-
-- Be referred to the ASAP counseling center for screening.
-- Be considered for disciplinary action under the UCMJ, as appropriate.
-- Be processed for administrative separation in accordance with AR 600-8-24 (for officers and warrant officers) and AR 635-200 (for enlisted personnel).
Discharge for misconduct under Army Regulation 600-8-24 or Army Regulation 635-200, as appropriate, will be initiated and processed to the separation authority for all soldiers involved in illegal trafficking, distribution, possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs. Soldiers will also be considered for disciplinary action under the UCMJ, consistent with Chapter 6, AR 600-85 and Rule for Courts Martial 306, MCM.
All ARNG and USAR soldiers ordered to AD will be tested for illegal drug abuse at their reception station.
The ingestion of hemp seed oil or products made with hemp seed oil is prohibited.One would like to think that a kinder, gentler U.S. Army might recognize its contribution to someone's drug addiction, but the Army has truly never accepted that notion as having merit.
There is also
this recent policy clarification that seeks to ensure all branches of service are on the same page about drug abuse, especially "since Iraq."
Re: the assertion that Justin's problem would be rehabilitated by the Army once he was reinstated, given the evidence above, I find it unlikely the Army would spend money and time to rehabilitate Justin's "civilian addiction problem" with no clear hope of returning him to a war zone. This is not Justin's first bout with demon drugs...something that has been unclear up till now on the show re: when did this first start and was he separated from the military at the time.
The show will be what it will be.
