Article

2010-10-15 -Lurid Crime Tales-

Army Scandal - Possibly Hashish, Murder, War Crimes

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-10-15 10:32|| || Front Page|| [11136 views ] Top

#1 Yup, I spent years in the Army, reported something illegal in my unit, got screamed at day after and finally lost my temper when I was being punished for NOT breaking the law and told off the responsible officer and was dropped 3 ranks. Ultimately, doing the right thing cost me a year's worth of reprisal, and then I left when my contract was completed, which admittedly, was the outcome I preferred. After the incident, I left through the exit and I don't look back unless I have to. This article, though, didn't come as a surprise -- there is crap going on all the time. The Army is not worthy any more respect than any other organization unless it is earned respect. Yall can call me a loser all day, but to this day I still know I did the right things to difuse a situation that could have been much worse and took the burden on. Cutting corners and illegal acts are very common and this scandal in this article is probably just scratching the surface of things going on Army -wide. If my rogue unit and the criminals in it were any indication, this is huge, HUGE, dude. Rogue units are NOT uncommon. The Army culture is quite un-self aware, and allows minor and major petty crimes and not so petty crimes to perpetuate,as many people with rank and commissions are criminals themselves. Some of the Nadals and young hoodlums of the world know they can sign up to go kill with a government sanction, and loose entrance requirements usher them in. Had I known then what I know now, I would have never joined and been surrounded by felonious and petty tyrants.

For any hardcore advocates of enlisted or Officer status, spare the attacks on me or my character about what I am saying because I am not here to debate with you. I know what I know.

Posted by Private Eye 2010-10-15 15:21|| 2010-10-15 15:21|| Front Page Top

#2 TITLE 10 United States Code > Subtitle A > PART II > CHAPTER 47 > SUBCHAPTER XI > § 938

§ 938. Art. 138. Complaints of wrongs

Any member of the armed forces who believes himself wronged by his commanding officer, and who, upon due application to that commanding officer, is refused redress, may complain to any superior commissioned officer, who shall forward the complaint to the officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction over the officer against whom it is made. The officer exercising general court-martial jurisdiction shall examine into the complaint and take proper measures for redressing the wrong complained of; and he shall, as soon as possible, send to the Secretary concerned a true statement of that complaint, with the proceedings had thereon.

It's a nuke hand grenade in the hands of any member of the armed services. It must be investigated by the IG of the appropriate service and resolved. Anyone caught in the process, usually can kiss their career good bye. Congress put it in there. Trying to bury it constitutes a violation of the statute. It's not advertised for obvious reasons. However, if you're going to commit professional suicide, you might as well take the bastards with you for the team.

Posted by Procopius2k 2010-10-15 16:27|| 2010-10-15 16:27|| Front Page Top

#3 Thanks. I handled my business. Well, the irony is the same officer (the CO) got Court Marshalled for something else entirely . As for taking one for the team, there was no team. This CO's unit was wonky that way. It was everyone for themselves, make no mistake. Not all units are jacked up, just this CO's unit, I had been in good teams prior. The soldiers under him really did take direction and attitudes from the leadership, so since our leadership was lacking or even negligent, it is so very bad- you had crimes busting out.

Posted by Private Eye 2010-10-15 18:17|| 2010-10-15 18:17|| Front Page Top

#4 This is really wild and sick stuff. As a grunt, this shocks me. I wonder why I am just reading this now? Had this happen during Bush's term, Murtha, et al, would have been lined up to lay blame on George Bush for this. Bush will still get blamed for this in...3...2...1...

Posted by Punky Thavish9434 2010-10-15 21:45|| 2010-10-15 21:45|| Front Page Top

#5 Nothing shocking about it, IMHO, par for the course.Since the mil has UCMJ there are matters that are taken into the military's own hands and settled accordingly without ever breaking into civilian news- and details of cases, or entire cases can be kept secret and confidential, even within *especially* within a unit. Secondly, you have a volunteer force- if you were a criminal who liked to shoot and maim things or people and get away with it, and were so good at it that you didn't have a wrap sheet, (ie: you may have never been caught) you could easily continue your pursuits while in uniform. Chilling thought really. Because the screen out process is not tough enough, which gets us to the Nadal Hasans and this Sergeant ring leader.

Posted by Private Eye 2010-10-15 22:07|| 2010-10-15 22:07|| Front Page Top

#6 Private Eye: however belatedly, thank you for what you did. The Army is the team, and the nation that it protects. As the wife of a manager (and a former multiple managee), I'm quite certain that CO was looked at more closely because of what you did. I've seen that happen in the civilian organizations I've worked for: once the end of the thread is pulled, the fabric starts to unravel.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-10-15 23:32|| 2010-10-15 23:32|| Front Page Top

#7 Dear grunt/Punky Thavish9434, your shock and revulsion mark you as one of the good guys. You should be proud. This has been in the news for a bit -- google the names in the article at the link (click on the article title to go straight to it) -- but I imagine you've been a bit busy with more important things.

Thank you for what you have done, and what you have left to do. We here at Rantburg appreciate what you do, even this little civilian housewife.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-10-15 23:38|| 2010-10-15 23:38|| Front Page Top

23:52 trailing wife
23:47 Redneck Jim
23:38 trailing wife
23:33 JosephMendiola
23:32 trailing wife
23:12 lotp
23:11 lotp
22:47 Mullah Richard
22:27 JosephMendiola
22:20 JosephMendiola
22:12 JosephMendiola
22:10 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:07 JosephMendiola
22:07 Private Eye
22:04 JosephMendiola
21:53 JosephMendiola
21:45 Punky Thavish9434
21:40 JosephMendiola
21:35 JosephMendiola
20:55 Water Modem
20:33 Water Modem
20:24 Water Modem
20:23 Procopius2k
20:05 Frank G