Posted on Oct 29, 2015
LTC Professor Of Military Science / Department Chair
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Have you ever paid a bribe/bribed someone in your life/career?

I have. My team and I were in a country in W. Africa and on mission. We needed to get from point A to point B and part of that was a river crossing that could only be crossed with a ferry. As we approached the crossing - several miles from the actual river, we encountered gridlock. After dismounting from our SUVs, one of my teammates went to a local truck driver parked next to us and with the help of our interpreter, asked how long he had been waiting. He replied he had been waiting for a few days and expected to wait up to 9-10 days to board the ferry. We asked people stacked into small station wagons how long they had been waiting, same answer, but with an expectancy to board the ferry within 3-5 days.

That's when my interpreter and partner nation force officer said "Jay, we can pay our way to the front". I didn't over-analyze the situation - I simply said "How much?".

Needless to say - we got on the ferry within 3 hours and met our time hack and link up at point B.

Was it wrong? Was it ethical? I don't know - but I had a mission to complete and I definitely wasn't going to allow my guys and myself to be a sitting duck for 3-7 days. The gray area is what it is - sometimes you have to embrace it.
Posted in these groups: Stock footage mission text in military door versions MissionEthics logo Ethics
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Responses: 13
Sgt Spencer Sikder
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Most definitely, I'm married with children.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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I was a teen growing up in the Philippines. I was messing with my GF in a dark sugar cane field in my truck. Then I noticed 6 militia-types. After a couple minutes I emptied my wallet and they left.
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SPC David S.
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Edited 9 y ago
Sure a number of times. As these are often sketchy situations the funniest one I experienced was in Mexico. I was on my way to hook up with the local rugby club for one of their practices and on the way policía on a motorcycle pulls me over and explains I ran a light that wasn't there - as its a standard practice there I asked him, "Puedo pagar la multa?" (Can I pay you the fine). He responds with "Si, 500 pesos". $40 bucks well worth it to bypass the long bar Hilton. What was funny is his English improved once he knew I understood the process. As well he was way more nervous than me. I think me being 6'5" 270 lbs dressed in a rugby gear scared the shit out of the guy. However "buenas noches" and I was out of there. If you never had to bribe someone you're aren't living.
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