Yep. The days of sweeping DUIs under the rug are over. In today's military, you are pretty much allowed one alcohol-related incident, go to rehab and then don't ever get a second one. A second alcohol-related incident is a career-ender. To be fair, one alcohol-related mulligan is more than you'll get in many civilian jobs.
My money says he'll get busted down to E-8 and allowed to retire with full benefits.
Once he retires, he’ll get retirement pay based on the highest rank he held - which is E9, right?
That's how it is in my civilian job (pharmaceuticals.) Second DUI or second failed alcohol/drug screen, and you're out. I've seen it happen to custodial staff and to senior scientists making serious six figure money. No exceptions.
They were over long ago.
In 1988 I was the bailiff at a courts martial of an O-4 for his second DUI.
He was busted down to E-6 (which I didn't even know could be done, not to mention the slap I thought it was to the NCO Corps) and loss of pay and benefits. He then opted to get out shortly after and I heard he retired as a Major.
Saw him working in the Burger King on post a few months later. No lie.