Field Grade Officer convicted of SA allowed continued service......

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:27:58 -0500

As we all know the Army has made a tremendous push towards the prevention, and dealings with sexual assault. Recently a LTC was convicted by way of court martial of sexual assault, and his punishment was 1500/ a month, for a year, a letter of reprimand, and restricted of movement for two months. Is it just me, or does this seem totally off base here. He wasn't even put into force retirement! What message are we sending to our troops now? How are past, present, and future victims of SA suppose to feel? How are Soldiers expected to work with or for this officer in the future? I must say I don't agree with everything the Army does, but I'll always support it. In this case, I simply can't, events like this is what keeps me from going INDEF. Am I alone on this one?<br>

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 16 at 2014 7:13 PM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:13:25 -0500

This is what has always been known as the different set of standards for officers and enlisted, if this had been an enlisted SM, they would be sitting in prison with an OTH to boot.

It has always been this way and will continue to be this way from now until infinity, look at COL Johnson a few years back was convicted but allowed to retire to allow his family to maintain his pension and benefits. "Good Old Boy" network from the officer side of the house.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 7:57 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 19:57:36 -0500

Does anyone know any of the details? Covert extrajudicial punishment candidate?

Maybe I am off base here. But, there are traditional ways to resolve SA problems.

Rapists attack seeming helpless victims. We need a more credible reliable deterrent.

Maybe it is time to send a clear, direct, and unambiguous message to the rapists.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 8:50 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:50:54 -0500

BLUF: The more senior your rank and the more distinguished your service; the harder you should be punished because the better you knew and the more you let down the institution.

There is this long-standing trend in the military justice system that we take your service into consideration as a mitigating factor. Such as the fraudulent enlistment E-9 in Fort Bragg who got kicked out, used his brother's SSN, served 20-odd years, and is being retired as a SFC. Show me a PFC who lies about something that substantial in MEPS, I'm pretty sure there's no such rosy future.
The same goes for the former commander of AFRICOM who essentially embezzled tens of thousands of dollars worth of TDY money. The 2LT who takes the government travel card to the strip club for a cash advance is most likely going to be sent packing without a O-9 retirement check for life.
My favorite is still the rising star O-6 from the 173rd who had an affair with a foreign national, funded her family through government channels, married said lady by double-proxy (neither party present) in Montana, "divorced" his wife by forging a divorce decree and enrolled said new spouse in DEERS. Reduction to LTC, retirement, restitution payment of something shy half a million. I can't even imagine anyone who has not been selected by a DA centralized board having the clout for that kind of ridiculous skullduggery.

Here's my problem with that: It's so, so wrong. A GEN, a COL, a SGM, and a whole long list of other high-ranking offenders know better. They are supposed to be mature, have the responsibility to command troops in harm's way, and they more than know what they are doing is wrong on more than one level. We're putting kids barely old enough to shave out of the Army with a permanent black mark on their civilian record for making one bad decision. Then we turn around pay someone who abused rank, authority, and trust given to them by the American people in ways more heinous than I can believe and of a far worse impact than that kid whose life we permanently impacted in a bad way.

Honestly, if you are retiring because of a GOMR and a relief for cause NCOER for consistent SHARP violations throughout your command time; there should be no LOM for a retirement award. An ARCOM is almost too good at that point; people can actually earn that one with valor.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 9:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:13:25 -0500

I've watched closely all these stories that have been mentioned, but this one takes the cake. I can NOT get over how he is allowed continued service, it's a DIRECT slap in the face of every leader, and Soldier. I'm slowly losing hope in the very force that only 8 years ago gave me a chance at being successful. This is a shame.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2014 3:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:10:06 -0400

It is hard to judge the merits of any case on second hand information. In today’s instant media society is hard to find out the fact through all the word of mouth news. Certainly there are lots of these cases in the news which is very sad. That being said, any officer who missteps even if they are kept would most certainly never make there next rank and be summarily dismissed when they fail to reach their next grade aka they are kicked out.

Response by CPT Robert Skinner made Oct 16 at 2014 4:46 AM

CPT Robert Skinner — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:46:17 -0400

SSG Boca,

Ultimately it is your decision to reenlist, but I would tell you that you're the Army and your moral conviction shows that you care about the Army. You don't have any influence on what the convening authority has set forth, therefore I think your emotions might be influencing your decision. Is our Army always right...NO! Do guys like you have the ability to make it right...YES. That message that you're talking about is heard loud and clear, but your right and left limits are what, currently? There are a host of things you can get fired about, and this is one of them, but is it in your fields of fire?

I would ask to suggest you take a step back before you make a hasty decision because sometimes that action has second and third order affects that can't be seen clearly right now.

I can't for the life of me figure these cases out either, especially if it was a LTC, but don't let this one soldiers despicable act persuade you from doing what you seem to enjoy. I could be off base and you can discount my opinion or words of caution, but want you to know, there are soldiers that believe what you believe and will hold true.

The thing I learn when I went to OCS is " I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate officer who do" that has rang true and holds true today. Your honor is not affected by this man, he and he alone has to deal with his failures. Good Luck!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 16 at 2014 6:20 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 06:20:32 -0400

SMs have been forced out for lesser offenses. This seems totally ludicrous!

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 17 at 2014 2:50 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:50:13 -0400

Disgusting. There is no reason for SA ever!! It's a serious crime needing serious punishment. Should have been confinement and DD.

Response by SGT Kevin Smith made Nov 1 at 2014 10:48 PM

SGT Kevin Smith — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 22:48:12 -0400

Let's not forget the General at Bragg convicted of Sexual Harassment of a subordinate downrange. I was there when the Trial was going on and he was forced to Retire at a lower rank (a COL) but got full Retirement benefits and NO CONFINEMENT!!!!!!! When Leaders appear to have full impunity where no real consequences are given, then the Military ceases to be a Professional organization. When standards are not enforced, then a new standard is created.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 2 at 2014 12:38 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 00:38:12 -0400

It's called a double standard for an officer. If it was an enlisted male, he'd be a felon upon released from prison.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 18 at 2015 12:04 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 18 May 2015 00:04:16 -0400

The more rank you have, the lighter the hammer of justice gets however, it helps to get a good lawyer for anyone regardless of rank.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made May 18 at 2015 12:06 AM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Mon, 18 May 2015 00:06:57 -0400

But my Capt. that got a DUI- not allowed to stay in. Bull shit.
How are they making the victim whole with minimal punishments?

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Jul 31 at 2019 11:02 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 23:02:28 -0400

This result is unacceptable to me. This seems like the military version of the rich and powerful buying a favorable verdict