Airmen accused of minor harassment faces more jail time (130 years confinement) than SGT Berghdahl, warranted or trumped up charges?

2015-11-06T10:09:34-05:00

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/5/aaron-allmon-case-makes-minot-air-force-base-groun/?page=1

Aaron Allmon case makes Minot Air Force Base ground zero in military’s new gender wars

He is an award-winning combat photographer who stands accused of trying to pick up women in the public affairs office at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and for that prosecutors wanted to put him in prison for 130 years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-11-06T10:10:47-05:00

We need to have a fair justice system, not just hand down punishment without taking all things into consideration.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Nov 6 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-11-06T10:33:16-05:00

Read the article, if the accusations are true then he without a doubt should be charged. I will say however that 130 years confinement is way overdoing the punishment. At most he should of course be discharged, serve a few years and he'll have his sexual crimes following him for the rest of his life. 130 years is ridiculous though.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 6 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-11-06T10:34:31-05:00

This is the same service branch that went after it's pilots for lewd text messages that would be laughed off by most anyone else? But isn't this the same branch of service that finds that the cost overruns for the F-35 is ok and did away with some troop programs claiming they are tight on cash, the same service branch that has been caught in lies to congress when it was told to keep the A-10 flying, and they try to give the planes coding that would put some of them away and were caught in it? Maybe the SECDEF needs to look at the leadership or lack there of, and see what changes need to happen starting with the top down, not the bottom up. Sexual Harassment/Assault is nothing to joke or laugh at, but it should be investigated both in the sense of discovering information that could put someone away, and the discovering of information that could exonerate the accused. But once accused, no matter the outcome, your career is over, and for this NCO it is and that's a shame IF he didn't do it, but rightfully so IF he did. I also understand what the SECDEF meant in regards to punishing those who commit sexual harassment/assault, but did his words go too far and reach into undue command influence?

Miley Cyrus song crashes Air Force pilots' careers

The next time you want to send your buddies a joke text message, remember that it could end your career.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 10:34 AM

2015-11-06T10:34:56-05:00

130 years?! .... something is seriously wrong here...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-11-06T10:47:17-05:00

130 years for those charges? Holy Crap. This guy is being put out as an example/scapegoat. There is no way this guy should be facing this kind of court martial. Clearly this is a case of RHIP (Rank Has Its Perks). And since he does not have the right rank, he is getting no perks.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 10:49 AM

2015-11-06T10:49:05-05:00

This situation is tragic, and it clearly demonstrates the capricious nature of the military justice system. An individual should be presumed innocent until the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates guilt. Furthermore, sexual harrassment clearly does not warrant such extreme punishment. The "offender" should receive minor written admonishment prior to any legal action. I do not wish to minimize the unprofessional nature and deleterious effects of sexual harrassment, but the military should not be a refuge for thin-skinned, parasitic individuals.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Nov 6 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-11-06T10:57:55-05:00

Rank certainly does have its privileges. You can't help but sit and laugh when sitting in classes like SHARP and others because we all know there is no level playing field when it comes to these issues. The higher in rank you are, the more likely you will be asked to quietly retire (with full benefits). Just look at David Petraus. Had it been an E-6 or below that did what he did, they would've been booted out of the Army with a dishonorable discharge and no benefits. It shouldn't matter what you've done in the past. If you do something that warrants being kicked out, then your rank or your accomplishments shouldn't matter.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Nov 6 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-11-06T11:03:55-05:00

130 years seems excessive, but let's be careful not to minimize what he did. Especially considering the enormous bias of the article. Holy crap, if I didn't know better, I'd swear it was written by his defense lawyer.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 11:10 AM

2015-11-06T11:10:56-05:00

Wow, 130 years? That's if sentenced consecutively. Concurrently what would he get?

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 6 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-11-06T11:25:13-05:00

Ridiculous! Over sexual harassment?? The sister is right....Some women and even men out of spite and vindictiveness will try and ruin a persons life...but still the fact remains...this guy didn't rape or murder anyone...and even if her allegations are true it's harassment which should not even constitute jail time in any way..... Berghdahl is the one who should have gotten 130 years....

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-11-06T11:25:52-05:00

People who do things like this are why I have to do SHARP and EO training every quarter.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-11-06T12:26:02-05:00

This will be interesting as it unfolds. I hope all parties are treated fairly and there is a measured outcome based on the facts.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 6 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-11-06T13:08:41-05:00

This blurb caught my attention: "As Sgt. Allmon was entering his second year at Minot in May 2013, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declared war on sexual abuse in the ranks. He elevated the offense as a threat to national security." ?!?!? Say again, your last, Mr. Secretary.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 6 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-11-06T13:19:33-05:00

What kind of politically correct drones are being given Command these days? Treat people the way you want to be treated and they'll go through hell for you when its needed. The entire command structure in this fiasco need to be investigated, for lack of common sense and wasting government money. Not to mention interfering with the appropriate medical treatment of a patient by his doctor. That's a level of behavior simply unbecoming of an Officer in the United States Air Force.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 6 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-11-06T14:59:47-05:00

This sounds to me like PC run amok. If it is intended to support the women in the military I'm afraid it will have the opposite effect - it will make them seem to be too dangerous to have around in the rank and file; people to be avoided for self-preservation.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-11-06T15:58:28-05:00

"3 kisses and 6 touches over a 14 month period". And they want him in jail for life. How can anyone look at this and think "Justice"?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 8:33 PM

2015-11-06T20:33:58-05:00

This is but one exampe of the unimaginably absurd charges filed against members of our military over the decades. I have read a number of various volumes containing military case law that go back as far as the War for Independence. Men were executed on the battlefield for crimes that were insanely minor. This current case goes more to the issues of political correctness and public relations than justice. I have little doubt that there will be changes made in the charges, but this one act of overzealous prosecution by the JAG boys and girls is only the tip of a very large historical iceberg. I encourage all of you who are interested in military law and military history to read up on the thousands of cases that make this one pale in comparison. It is fascinating reading, I assure you.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 6 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-11-06T20:38:40-05:00

Is Hitler prosecuting him?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-11-07T16:06:21-05:00

"A Washington Times examination shows that, over a 14-month span, the women’s accusations, in total, amount to three kisses and six touches, plus a series of reported inappropriate comments of a sexual nature."

Obviously, those charges are trumped up; it's not like he killed anybody. What should he get, though? If it was up to me, I'd give him a BCD, register him as a sex offender, give him 6 months jail time, and a decade of parole with mandatory psychological treatment. Unwanted kissing and touching is absolutely criminal in nature.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 8 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-11-08T10:44:06-05:00

That is what happens in any branch of the military once it had been determined that you have been selected to be the "scapegoat example"...
Eventually, someone will call an end to it, but not before your name, honor and career, or what's left of it, is jacked through the lowest excrement of what is suppose to be called military justice...

Response by SPC Luis Mendez made Nov 8 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-11-08T13:07:45-05:00

Maybe the Prosecutors are "gay" or trying to promote a - gay Agenda - therefore they don't want men in uniform to pick-up or trying to pick-up Women (just kidding). That aside, what else can anyone expect from the Military these days of it, being use for ALL Sorts of Sociopolitical EXPERIMENTALISM.

A corrupt, incompetent and perverted Politico-Legal system is going to dictate to the Military what and how to do the "EXPERIMENTS". There's no Avoiding it, no way around it, no saying NO or drawing the "Line" somewhere. You're Indentured Servants, you VOLUNTEERED for it and never forget that. Therefore you'll do as you're told or else!

Treason BTW is mentioned and defined in the Constitution. Sadly however the punishment for it was left up to the prosecutors. As with many other things, the Constitution is Vague to say the least. And that's only 'cause I don't dare at all saying that's also Incompetent and in dire need to be Overhauled from Top to Bottom. BTW and just asking; What's a "natural born" citizen. Since most humans beings, like ALL other Creatures are born "Naturally".

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 7:15 AM

2015-11-09T07:15:36-05:00

The whole sensitivity issue has gotten way out of hand, I'm not just addressing the case that is in question here. There is entirely too much sensitivity going on, it seems like now days everyone is offended by something. People are offended by so many things that we're reaching a point that we will be unable to interact with each other for fear of hurting someone's feelings. Are my thoughts wrong? Am I too tough on people. The law is supposed to protect and defend our rights, not the other way around. I bet his complaint/file has POP written on it somewhere. "POP" is a acronym for "pissed off police" or "pissed off prosecutor".

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 8:31 AM

2015-11-11T08:31:54-05:00

I'll wait for the outcome. I doubt he will get 8 years, much less 130. Has anyone been reading the trends on the FOIA website that has all the Army court-martial proceedings? I am sure the AF is showing the same trend: more article 120 court martials but with 2-8 year sentences. Some of these people are only given 8-12 years who assaulted multiple children.

Here is an excerpt (NOTE: 2 specifications of rape of a child): On 04 September 2015, at a general court-martial convened at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, PFC Robert C. Delmaster, United States Army, was convicted by a military panel composed of officer and enlisted members, contrary to his pleas, of one
specification of false official statement, two specifications of rape of a child, and two specifications of sexual abuse of a child in violation of Articles 107 and 120b, UCMJ.

The members sentenced the accused to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to forfeit all
pay and allowances, to be reprimanded, to be confined for 3 years, and to be
discharged from the service with a dishonorable discharge.

https://www.foia.army.mil/ReadingRoom/Detail.aspx?id=95

Response by Sgt Judy Leonard made Nov 13 at 2015 2:41 AM

2015-11-13T02:41:44-05:00

This story is bullshit. If he's facing 130 years there's way more to the story.

As always blame the victim. No he should know better and not only did he commit adultry but his is to blame. Why should the women have to put up with what ever crap he did?