Reprimanding a Hero...Would you?

2015-11-08T18:04:40-05:00

Many people are already familiar with the black mark the Army gave itself by ending the career of this highly respected soldier, SFC Charles Martland. For those that are not here is the short and sweet along with a link to the story. Serving as an advisor in Afghanyland, Martland and his team leader were confronted with a local police commander that had kidnapped and raped a ten year old boy, then beat up the boys mother for trying to bring issue with it. Martland and Capt. Quinn confronted the police commander who laughed in their face. Martland and Quinn then escorted the commander out of the camp in a most unpleasant way!
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/08/21/green-beret-striking-corrupt-afghan-got-me-kicked-out/32080843/
For this Martland received a General letter of reprimand that has since then ended his career due to force reductions. This letter came from MG Christopher Haas, director of force management at USSOCOM. A quote taken from Col. Steve Johnson, a U.S. commander stationed in Afghanistan during that time, appears to have defended the Army’s decision in a conversation on his LinkedIn page, according to Fox News.
“The entire operational Chain of Command supported the relief for cause and reprimand. Vigilantism is illegal in the United States and should not be condoned elsewhere,” Johnson wrote. “We should do our best to ensure that the accused is brought to justice legally and fairly — we should never take the law into our own hands (as Martland and Quinn did).”
So my question is what are your thoughts about this Col. Johnson and MG. Haas? I do understand what they are saying but do you agree? Or do you see these two military officers and others unseen as allies to deeds of darkness for the reprimand they issued to a man championing the innocent and helpless.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". - Edmund Burke

Green Beret: Striking corrupt Afghan got me kicked out

A Green Beret says he’s being kicked out of the Army for striking an Afghan police officer – one who had allegedly confessed and laughed about raping a child and beating his mother for telling authorities.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 8 at 2015 6:06 PM

2015-11-08T18:06:07-05:00

No I would not reprimand a hero without sufficient causes SSG John Harpold

Response by TSgt David L. made Nov 8 at 2015 6:12 PM

2015-11-08T18:12:46-05:00

Political BS... He did what was right in that situation. Maybe a bit overzealous but who wouldn't in that situation?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 8 at 2015 6:30 PM

2015-11-08T18:30:42-05:00

Based on what we all know publicly, I would have reprimanded SFC Martland and taken him out of the Province of Konduz (which was a hell hole in 2011!) and brought him back to the HQs. He punched a child rapist for Christ sake....put yourself in that situation, what would you do.....and stand so high and mighty as if you are perfect!

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Nov 8 at 2015 6:36 PM

2015-11-08T18:36:56-05:00

I'm afraid of what I might have done in that situation... Needless to say the Police Officer would not have done it again.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-11-08T18:51:41-05:00

Not sure all the facts of this case have been released... however, if what he did was so egregious, and evidence so overwhelming, why didn't the chain of command opt for Article 15 so this warrior had the choice to go to court martial and defend himself in court. Interesting article at the link below.
http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/reprimands-the-armys-dirty-little-secret

REPRIMANDS: THE ARMY’S DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

BLUF: The Armys administrativereprimand process is broken, fundamentally unfair, and should be substantiallyoverhauled.The Army Reprimand System: Broken and Abused AGeneral Officer Memorandum of Reprimand -- GOMOR -- is the kiss of death in aSoldiers Official Militar...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-11-08T19:05:01-05:00

Bringing the Afghan to justice didn't get him kicked out; taking illegal action while doing so got him a reprimand, which later forced him out due to reductions. There's no story here.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 8 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-11-08T23:00:17-05:00

He should have been rewarded for his actions, not punished.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 9 at 2015 12:37 PM

2015-11-09T12:37:44-05:00

Though I agree with what he did, we're not vigilantes and cannot take the "law" into our own hands. If I was a commander, I would not have punished him to that extent, but something would have happened.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 1:33 PM

2015-11-09T13:33:05-05:00

SSG John Harpold I will never understand....and if I was in that situation, well the rapist should be glad all he did was put his hands on him. The worst part is it seems majority (if not 99.9%) of the Country agrees with SFC Martland.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 9 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-11-09T13:55:16-05:00

No, based on the information that we have, I would not have reprimanded the Soldier. If I were in Command, I would have moved him from that location to another area. I would then in private congratulate him for standing up for those who can not protect themselves. That is part of what we are supposed to be doing. Even though this is an acceptable act by the Afghan culture, it should not be permitted in US locations within the country. If they want to work within the confines of our security, they need to adapt to our rules where child rape and beating females is not tolerated.
I would also talk to the Commander of that Police Chief. Reiterate that this is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated in our Area of Operation.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Nov 9 at 2015 3:39 PM

2015-11-09T15:39:12-05:00

A few thoughts:
- A good example of a bureaucracy "letting things happen" as opposed to leaders at various levels and in various organizations making common sense decisions.
- Process and procedure are good and necessary things but a leader does not always just default to the process and/or procedure answer.
- This could have been handled differently at the source such as a locally filed GOMOR rather than a relief for cause NCOER. The proper message would have been sent without enduring negative impacts for either the Soldier or the Army. In today's environment, leaders need to understand not just the immediate impacts but also the down range impacts for both the Soldier and the Army and then ask the question: is this the right decision for both now and in the future.