Lt. Col West will not be court martialed
12-13-2003, 12:51 AM
#1
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Lt. Col West will not be court martialed
Just thought I'd update you guys. That is such good news. Thanks to those who signed the petition, I know it helped (believe me). There were senators and congressmen going to bat for him. Finally our elected officials didi something good.
Many thanks.
-Matt
Many thanks.
-Matt
12-13-2003, 07:49 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Yep, this is OT.
No court martial - he's only being forced to retire. Same difference to a career Army officer - his career is over. (With a court martial, there is a [very very small] chance of acquittal, however, you are generally guilty until proven innocent.)
Like I said before when this was brought up, if he was really smart, he shouldn't have done it, in the environment of today's military. No ballsy deed goes unpunished.
No court martial - he's only being forced to retire. Same difference to a career Army officer - his career is over. (With a court martial, there is a [very very small] chance of acquittal, however, you are generally guilty until proven innocent.)
Like I said before when this was brought up, if he was really smart, he shouldn't have done it, in the environment of today's military. No ballsy deed goes unpunished.
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12-14-2003, 01:16 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
The title of the post is obviously off topic. The need or requirement to place an "OT" in front of "LTC West..." is unecessary for those of us who realize that our 944s do not have a court martial or a Lieutenant Colonel under the hood.
>"Of course nothing happened to him, that's what I said months ago."
Im sure you are also able to predict which part is going to fail on your car next?
>"Like I said before when this was brought up, if he was really smart, he shouldn't have done it, in the environment of today's military."
For those without any military command leadership experience, it is very easy to condemn or berate the actions or intelligence of a combat soldier. But until you have been given the responsibility of the health, morale, welfare, and lives of soldiers (mostly 18-20 year old kids) under your supervison, you cannot relate. Until you have lived with the daily responsibility, that these soldiers look up to you and expect you to train them and protect them, knowing that their parents, wives, and children expect you to bring their loved ones home safe, you should not judge. What this Battalion Commander did does not make him a hero or a villian. He did what he believed was necessary at the time, to complete his mission and take care of his soldiers. I would expect other commanders in similar circumstances to take similar actions. And if they would choose not to because of "todays environment", they should be looking for a new job.
>"He retired so there wouldn't be any political fallout. He will be well looked after."
The implication that he will be treated any differently than any other soldier that retires off of active duty after 20 plus years of service is pure ignorance. A monthly retirement/pension check (% based off of grade on date of retirement), access to VA medical benefits, and the ability to buy groceries at on post commissaries are the perks.
>"Of course nothing happened to him, that's what I said months ago."
Im sure you are also able to predict which part is going to fail on your car next?
>"Like I said before when this was brought up, if he was really smart, he shouldn't have done it, in the environment of today's military."
For those without any military command leadership experience, it is very easy to condemn or berate the actions or intelligence of a combat soldier. But until you have been given the responsibility of the health, morale, welfare, and lives of soldiers (mostly 18-20 year old kids) under your supervison, you cannot relate. Until you have lived with the daily responsibility, that these soldiers look up to you and expect you to train them and protect them, knowing that their parents, wives, and children expect you to bring their loved ones home safe, you should not judge. What this Battalion Commander did does not make him a hero or a villian. He did what he believed was necessary at the time, to complete his mission and take care of his soldiers. I would expect other commanders in similar circumstances to take similar actions. And if they would choose not to because of "todays environment", they should be looking for a new job.
>"He retired so there wouldn't be any political fallout. He will be well looked after."
The implication that he will be treated any differently than any other soldier that retires off of active duty after 20 plus years of service is pure ignorance. A monthly retirement/pension check (% based off of grade on date of retirement), access to VA medical benefits, and the ability to buy groceries at on post commissaries are the perks.
12-14-2003, 01:58 PM
#10
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Oddjob-
Do a search and read my prior thoughts on this. I was an enlisted man, NCO and then an officer in the Army in the states and stationed overseas, in combat arms, special operations and the medical corps. I am confident I am qualified to speak on this matter - are you? In today's military, having a backbone is often penalized, when the rules come up against what is right or needed in a given situation. That is unfortunate reality.
Peckster- This guy's military career is over, period, for having the guts to get the job done. He'll get the same retirement as anybody else, and his former peers will be promoted to the higher ranks he will never attain.
Untier-
WTF are you talking about? The internet definitely makes it easy to be an ignorant loudmouth *******. Go though the military service that I have, and then come back and talk to me. Otherwise, go back to your playground and try to bully other 13 year olds.
John D.- looks like this one belongs in the Abyss or at least General, just my 2 cents.
Off the soapbox..........
Do a search and read my prior thoughts on this. I was an enlisted man, NCO and then an officer in the Army in the states and stationed overseas, in combat arms, special operations and the medical corps. I am confident I am qualified to speak on this matter - are you? In today's military, having a backbone is often penalized, when the rules come up against what is right or needed in a given situation. That is unfortunate reality.
Peckster- This guy's military career is over, period, for having the guts to get the job done. He'll get the same retirement as anybody else, and his former peers will be promoted to the higher ranks he will never attain.
Untier-
WTF are you talking about? The internet definitely makes it easy to be an ignorant loudmouth *******. Go though the military service that I have, and then come back and talk to me. Otherwise, go back to your playground and try to bully other 13 year olds.
John D.- looks like this one belongs in the Abyss or at least General, just my 2 cents.
Off the soapbox..........
12-14-2003, 02:11 PM
#11
Originally posted by Untier
too bad your not in calif. you could work with the albertson/kroger managment and try to break the american unions too.
too bad your not in calif. you could work with the albertson/kroger managment and try to break the american unions too.
While the strikes are not related to Lt. Col. West's situation, the strike is a really tough situation in Southern California for 70,000 grocery store workers.
http://www.ufcw.org/
12-14-2003, 02:42 PM
#13
12-14-2003, 05:05 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
>"I am confident I am qualified to speak on this matter - are you? "
If I wasnt, I wouldnt have spoken. 9 years combat arms, green tab positions for all but 2 years, including combat zone tax exempt deployments.
I didnt track the past thread on this topic so my mistake for making assumptions. I still may not completely agree (regardless of the risk of penalty, with the information that I know, that Bn Cdr probably took the right/necessary action) but I respect and understand your point of view now that I know where its coming from. So I owe you a beer.
If I wasnt, I wouldnt have spoken. 9 years combat arms, green tab positions for all but 2 years, including combat zone tax exempt deployments.
I didnt track the past thread on this topic so my mistake for making assumptions. I still may not completely agree (regardless of the risk of penalty, with the information that I know, that Bn Cdr probably took the right/necessary action) but I respect and understand your point of view now that I know where its coming from. So I owe you a beer.
