Little story. In 99 as a PFC I got two Article 15s in one year in Korea, first a company grade and then a field grade. The first for being drunk and getting in a fight at the ville, the second for the same. My E-7 at the time was a real NCO. Desert Storm guy, old school military flat top buzz cut kinda fella who blew his knee on a jump and was riding out his last couple years before retirement in a signal company. I'll never forget when we had to go to batallion to stand on the carpet for my field grade. The LT Colonel asked him "Whats your soldiers problem Sergeant." He responded, "He's partial to drinking, fighting and loving Sir. He performs his job exceptionally and shows great potential...... He's a damn fine soldier Sir!"
That last sentence will forever be burned in my head both in word and sound. The tone and assurance in which he said it. For that to be said by that old school NCO who joined around 79 was the best compliment and meant more to me than any award, and was worth the two stripes I lost that day. Lol.