BG Sinclair verdict is in...

2014-06-20T12:27:49-04:00

Looks like Secretary McHugh took a stand.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 12:28 PM

2014-06-20T12:28:43-04:00

That's about what everybody expected! I followed this closely as he was one of my BDE commanders when he was a COL.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jun 20 at 2014 12:31 PM

2014-06-20T12:31:56-04:00

Based upon what I know from publicly available information, this is an appropriate decision based upon LTC Sinclair's failure to serve honorably at the colonel and brigadier general levels. Actions must have consequences. Reasons for the administration of military justice (I know this was admin not UCMJ) include: punishment, rehabilitation, good order and discipline, and deterrence. I can argue in support of the SECDEF's decision on each of these four points.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 20 at 2014 1:33 PM

2014-06-20T13:33:48-04:00

Wow. I must say that I am (pleasantly) surprised.

This was NOT the outcome that I expected, though I think it is justified by the admitted allegations (ie, what LTC Sinclair agreed that he did, not everything he was charged with), which included conduct while an O6.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 20 at 2014 2:08 PM

2014-06-20T14:08:22-04:00

So, he remains a Brigadier General until retirement......the article indicates: McHugh said in a statement. “Sinclair displayed a pattern of inappropriate and at times illegal behavior both while serving as a brigadier general and a colonel. I therefore decided there was sufficient evidence and cause to deny him those benefits.”........

A couple questions:

Would a senior enlisted service member have received the same opportunity?

Will he get a General Officer retirement ceremony?

Has anyone heard from the victim?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 2:09 PM

2014-06-20T14:09:10-04:00

It looks like leadership might finally be taking a hard stand!

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 20 at 2014 5:24 PM

2014-06-20T17:24:59-04:00

My question is this. What would of happened if he had not pleaded guilty? I think we just lucked out. I mean the guy admitted to it to drop the serious charges. What else could they have done? I don't think they had a choice but to do what they did. What justification would there be for not since he just admitted guilt?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 8:12 PM

2014-06-20T20:12:39-04:00

I am not privy to all the facts, but it likely a combination of justice served and a politically motivated decision. I wonder if someone has a case of a senior NCO with over 20 being demoted and retaining retirement benefits.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Jun 20 at 2014 8:37 PM

2014-06-20T20:37:24-04:00

Well, the crime is not a crime in the civilian world so much as a civil offense. I happen to think that it probably light -- three grades would be about right. I remember being in a HR consultant course when McKinney's sentence came down, and while the civilian lawyer and most of the participants (women with no military experience as was she) thought he'd really gotten over, I pointed out the reality. He went from pay equivalent to an O6 as retired SMA to the pay of E8 with 30 years service. He lost a lot of benefits and privileges and also picked up a Federal Conviction. Same thing here except the guy was a freaking General and while not included in the investigation, do either of us think this was a one-person deal. Remember when the two star designee deputy commander of the 24th ID was convicted of a pattern of using his position to sleep with subordinates' wives ever since he was a battalion commander? Insane. Got to retire as a LTC.
I have no pity for these guys; just want it imposed fairly...

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Jun 21 at 2014 11:56 AM

2014-06-21T11:56:21-04:00

Nice to see karma catching up with someone who admitted that he richly deserved it.

I think this is the closest the military has come to losing control of the UCMJ in over 30 years.

I wonder which amounts to a larger amount of money: (1) the lifetime difference between an O-7 pension and an O-5 pension, or (2) the TAD cost to the Army of repetitively having to assemble O-7s & above for jury duty. I can only imagine what was taken out of operating funds to pay for the trial.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made Jun 23 at 2014 1:47 AM

2014-06-23T01:47:43-04:00

''The two-grade reduction from major general to colonel should send a very clear, strong signal that there is no place in the Army for this behavior,'' Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, 1999 when reducing General Maher. Apparently the signal wasn't strong enough.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 23 at 2014 3:06 PM

2014-06-23T15:06:56-04:00

My question is, if he was quilty of the more serious charges, why was he allowed to retire? Predators like him make us all look bad and there seems to be a lot more like him? Not wanting to start a witch hunt...warlock (?) hunt...but these animals need to be rooted out and destroyed. Retiring as a LTC is not being destroyed.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 24 at 2014 9:02 AM

2014-06-24T09:02:11-04:00

I have to say, I see it as a good move. The facts showed that this was the correct move to make based on his performance and federal laws that cover pensions and retirement benefits.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Jun 24 at 2014 12:32 PM

2014-06-24T12:32:15-04:00

I don't think he was guilty of more serious charges. I am one of those who believe this woman was fully in agreement with this affair and she decided in the end to seek vengeance. My question is will he really retire as a LTC or will he retire with LTC rank and get BG retirement pay? That would really piss me off! At the very least he should feel some impact because his crimes were deserving of some pain! Anyone know for sure?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jun 28 at 2014 2:05 AM

2014-06-28T02:05:54-04:00

Here is a link to an article that I read this morning. I thought that it was relevant to the conversation.

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/defense/210769-explaining-the-sinclair-demotion

Explaining the Sinclair demotion

Jeffrey Sinclair's demotion was a just and lawful result.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jan 4 at 2015 12:05 AM

2015-01-04T00:05:03-05:00

So he is a sexual predator, pleads guilty to stay out of jail and STILL gets to retire and keep all of his benefits? Yet, 1LT Clint Lorance is sentenced to 20 years and his clemency appeal is denied? I find it amusing that people think being reduced from BG to LTC is punishment enough. Just think it his name was CPT Sinclair or SFC Sinclair, would the outcome be the same?