General Dempsey on Recent Allegations

It is good that DOD says they are not being distracted, but the question is what are they focused on, what concerns them? The Army specifically developed the SHARP program to handle the real “scandal” of the military, and yet it is still not up to par with where it needs to be. There are literally thousands of “subject matter experts” annually that the military can draw upon to improve the system. How can a fully functional system be removed before the next program is fully operational? How is this protecting the troops?

Fifteen years ago, in 1997, there were several officers who faced court martial for adultery. Among them was Lt Col Karen Tew who committed suicide rather than face the loss of rank, time in service, and further penalties of sentencing. The question is, how will the JCS handle upholding the UCMJ in light of past cases and the degree to which Petraeus and Boradwell have brought discredit upon the service? Broadwell is a Major in the reserves and has been found to have classified information in her home. I do believe she and Petraeus both need to answer for their indiscretions.

As a Soldier, I looked to my senior NCOs and Officers for mentorship and direction, for the most part I got that, both good and bad. It helped to develop me into a good leader, one that knew where the line was, and not to cross it. It was easy to obey the regulations in the military for me, and even easier to see often around me those sense of entitlements that many seniors and officers felt they deserved. The one thing I never did do was just give blind respect, you still had to earn that both with me and myself with others. While I agree judging is often in bad taste, as a former NCO, and Training Operations Leader, when you obtain certain titles and positions, you should know you will be judged, watched and scored, that is a fact. This is happening now. The problem is officers for the most part are still treated much better even with committing crimes, than NCOs and Enlisted members. This needs to change. All SOLDIERS should be accountable to the same standards and regulations, we are ALL Soldiers regardless of the rank, title or duty we perform. Uniformed Code of Military Justice means just that.

It is human nature to wage war against thoughts, that go contrary to our PRIME DIRECTIVES. One battle could win the war! The simple fact is that thoughts lead to actions. It is the nature of pure energy to flow under direction. So, that being said; it is imparative to constantly revaluate the directional flow of any given situation or circumstance. The mightiest military on the face of the planet, did not come together by accident. And a few bad thoughts that turned into the wrong desicions, will not defeat the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Just maintain the BATTLE mentality, those who do will persevere and thrive.

For those who will read this and all of the post the same issues are echoed. General grade officer are above the UCMJ. The UCMJ only applies to Enlisted Personnel and lower grade Officers. The recent allegations on General Petreas and General Allen have brought disgrace and dishonor to the Uniform we all wear or have worn. Their misconduct took place while in uniform and should be brought back to active duty status and court martial. We are not civilians where our private life is separate from our work life. We are subject to the Code 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It is about time that someone with the intestinal fortitude to take a stand and deal with these Generals and make examples of them. Willing Misconduct cannot go unpunished.
SFC Mario Salinas
US Army

It will be decided by the Court & Board, I believe.
If found guilty……….will pay & that is what it is.
Not feeling sorry for them at all ….. are U ?
No one is above the Law / Policy / System.
Thanks.

I do not think anyone in the Army profession is looking to push the British Admiral John Byng course of action. That said the GEN Petraeus action(s) does bring laser like focus on the Profession of Arms, specifically the Army. These recent events by senior strategic Army leaders have generated multiple discussions. It has also put the whole discussion of the Profession of Arms in a pickle. Are we still a profession or are we Rome? Does pedigree mean more than the rule of law?

I would have never thought of these question(s) until I witnessed MG Jeffrey Schloesser, a true Army innovator, have superfluous negative energy targeted towards him for the Battle of Wanat. This one battle out multiple unknown/unnamed battles since 2001 seemed to be the only event to draw any serious attention towards
Afghanistan. My point is not to reargue the case of Wanat, but in this case
point out infantry was not the only thing going on down range. Just ask the
folks in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). However, MG Schloesser took the
political brunt unlike any other Afghanistan combat commander in the last 11-years.
Accountability of senior Army leaders, perception wise, does not seem consistent.

The Chairman asked for folks thoughts on twitter. Here are mine: Transparency, fairness, consistency, respect for the Institution, and deference for the American Soldier not yet born. To steal a line from Gladiator, “what we do in life echoes in eternity”. For some senior Army leaders, 200 years from now, their immortality will be their actions navigating these current leadership challenges brought on the
Institution by a very small number of senior leaders. No one grows up wanting
to be a CGSC or War College case study.

General of the Army Marshall did not have to worry about his actions being instantaneously graded by social media. However his leadership decisions concerning senior Army leaders has stood the test of time over multiple decades. Maybe the way forward is the past. The good news is the Army’s and its professionals’ commitment to
those they lead is enduring, regardless of the actions of a few.

As a retired Army officer I am ashamed by what’s going on re Patraeus, et al. At a minimum we need a single standard, not different rules for different ranks.

As an aircraft commander in the military, I had to write OERs and APRs on the members of my crew. Writing these demanded total objectivity and the setting aside of friendships. No one gets to the Four Star rank without being able to cut through the chaff and judgment clouding issues. So, let’s look objectively at this issue:

1. Both Broadwell and Petraeus are military officers subject to the UCMJ.
2. Regardless of the axiom of what goes TDY stays TDY, these individuals knew the consequences of their actions if caught as they have been.

3. Past accomplishments are irrelevant to the issue at hand.
4. The suicides of past personnel who underwent court martial is irrelevant. The suicides were a choice made by the individual.
5. Officers above the O-6 level sign an additional letter acknowledging that they can be recalled to active duty for court martial.
6. Broadwell has been found to have classified material in her home. Regardless of the content it’s still classified and subject to being handled under certain protocols which she has violated.
7. Many military personnel have probably had affairs which were not made public in such a manner or were swept away at the discretion of the Commander.
8. The commander is responsible for maintaining discipline and setting the example.
9. The Commander of the JCS has a decision to make. He has to set aside all friendship and make an objective decision which upholds the UCMJ as well as military discipline and morale.