Situational questions are a big part of boards, so make sure you have them down solid.

Here is your question.

“You receive a phone call from your Soldier at 0600 on a Saturday morning. They say they woke up in a strange bed next to a stranger, and they believe they were drugged last night and don’t recall anything. How would you respond?”

Now, let’s talk through how to answer this question using a 3-step proven method. This approach shows board members that you know how to think like a leader. The format is: Step 1: Make sure the Soldier is safe and take care of them. Step 2: Handle it at the lowest level possible. Step 3: Use Army programs when applicable.

First, take care of the Soldier. In this situation, the Soldier could be in immediate danger. They are confused, possibly still under the influence of drugs, and unsure of what happened to them. The very first priority is to ensure they are safe. You should stay on the phone with the Soldier. Confirm their exact location and assess whether they feel safe where they are. If they are in any kind of immediate danger, help them call emergency services right away or get to a safe place. Try to get to their location, or at the very least get a nearby battle buddy that is closer to them. Even if they feel okay, arrange for someone you trust to pick them up immediately. Once they are in a safe location, encourage them not to shower, not to change clothes, and not to throw away anything from the scene. This preserves any forensic evidence. Encourage them to get a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, or SAFE kit, as soon as possible, even if they aren’t sure whether they were assaulted. The exam is time sensitive. Taking care of the Soldier’s physical and emotional safety is the priority. Make sure they know they are not alone, they are supported, and they are believed. Offer to take them to a chaplain or behavioral health to get emotional support as well.

Second, handle it at the lowest level possible. You are the Soldier’s leader, and they called you first for a reason. You don’t need to immediately pass them off to someone else. Stay with the Soldier and support them through the next steps. This means informing them about their reporting options. Since you are their chain of command, they cannot have a restricted report, you must file an unrestricted report, you can help with that process. Since you are now aware of a potential sexual assault, you have an obligation to report the situation to your SHARP representative or law enforcement. You can also encourage the Soldier to speak with their SHARP representative to fully understand their options. However, at this point, your job is to support, not to force decisions. You should offer to accompany the Soldier to medical, to SHARP, or to wherever they need to go. Do not leave them to figure this out alone.

Third, use Army programs when applicable. This situation is exactly why the SHARP program exists. Connect them with the SHARP representative as soon as possible. Also, Behavioral Health is an essential support here. The Soldier may be dealing with trauma, fear, or confusion, and they need to know that Behavioral Health is a safe place. You can also offer the Chaplain’s support for confidential counseling. If the Soldier is under the influence of drugs, they may need medical attention quickly. Medical providers can test for substances and provide care, so make sure they get that care without delay. The Soldier needs to know about all the support available to them, and your leadership is key to guiding them through it.