Posted on 11/08/2009 2:01:08 PM PST by Sergeant Tim
Major Hassan's actions Friday clearly had something to do with him being a Muslim and to state otherwise is akin to a willful suspension of disbelief.
One day back when I was the Operations Sergeant for an Army Provost Marshal Office in Europe, the Provost Marshal (a Major) called me on the carpet for signing off on an investigation where I determined the charges were founded and agreed the facts indicated the named subject had committed the crime for which he was cited. The Major disagreed yet, by his words, revealed he had been unduly influenced into dropping the charges. When I stood by my decision, he said I was "being disloyal" to him. I replied, "My first loyalty is to the nation and while I owe my superiors loyalty, I owe an equal amount to our subordinates, the ones you, Sir, and I lead, including the Military Police who investigated the matter. The witness statements and investigator statements substantiate as reasonable the belief crimes took place and the subject committed said crimes." The Major then threw the case folder at me, striking me in the chest, and told me to have the Military JAG Office review the case; the JAG agreed with my assessment and the charges stood. Not long afterward, the Major relieved me of duty and placed an unfavorable evaluation in my record.
The details of what followed I will not reveal as it was the prelude to a sad and unfortunate end to that Major's Army career; a subsequent command investigation vindicated my actions and cleared my record. I write of this solely to illustrate a mindset each member of our military must have. Rarely during my twenty years of Army service did I encounter anyone without an unwavering sense of duty to nation or lacking in moral courage in the face of adversary. From all I see, admittedly from afar, that sense of duty and mindset remains strong among those who wear our nation's military uniforms. Yet that is what so disturbs me about reports of the behaviors of Major Nidal Malik Hasan prior to the massacre Friday on Fort Hood and the reaction from the current Army leadership:
General George Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, said on Sunday that he was concerned that speculation about the religious beliefs of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, accused of killing 12 fellow soldiers and one civilian and wounding 30 others in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, could “cause a backlash against some of our Muslim soldiers.”
With due respect to General Casey, the publicly known facts indicate what happened on Fort Hood was an attack by Major Nidal Malik Hasan driven by his acceptance of extremist tenants found within the Muslim faith. He expressed prejudicial beliefs, based upon those extremist views, to fellow soldiers prior to the incident indicating his disloyalty to the nation.
It is the duty of every soldier to report such behavior and, when reported, it becomes the responsibility of commanders to determine whether the behavior meets the standards of good order and discipline necessary for continued Army service.
Loyalty is first owed to our nation. Yet beyond that are thirteen dead and thirty-eight wounded and a military wondering if the command failed them. While a fair adjudication of Major Hasan's case is owed him, we owe all who serve the Army far better than to ignore indiscipline within the ranks, be it from a Muslim or one holding with any faith.
What our troops don't need now or ever is someone shoving four stars into their eyes while telling them to ignore such behaviors should they observe them in the future. I hope at least one soldier with less rank on their collar has the moral courage to step onto General Casey's carpet and say that to his face.
With due respect to General Casey, the publicly known facts indicate what happened on Fort Hood was an attack by Major Nidal Malik Hasan driven by his acceptance of extremist tenants found within the Muslim faith. He expressed prejudicial beliefs, based upon those extremist views, to fellow soldiers prior to the incident indicating his disloyalty to the nation.
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There is not enough white wash in the Army to paint over this undeniable FACT. How many more innocent people will have to die to the feed the radical, sick minds of these religious mental cases?? Or does it matter to radicals like Obama??
Thank you, Tim, for these truthful words...
Courage demands the truth be told...
Any old liar can twist and fabricate...
Ping! This subject will be discussed tonight by Honest Conservative on Freedom Radio.
Let me think about this one for a minute.......NO
Next question?
Very well put. Quite a few of us have been saying much the same, but not as well and as authoritatively.
One minor correction for this article, which I hope will be passed around as it deserves: “extremist tenants” should read “extremist tenets.”
Thanks. Alas, diction remains a notch below my lack of tact on my personal list of shortcomings.
Thanks for this.
Thought you good folks might like to see this.
I am sick and tired of keeping an “open” mind when incidents like this happen.
President George W. Bush warned us this would be a long war on terror with an enemy that is cunning, patient and wants nothing more than to destroy the United State of America.
Unfortunately 9/11 has been forgotten by many and the current Administration would prefer to believe that we are at War, but rather we need to play nice with these fanatics!
God Bless the Troops at Ft. Hood, those that died preparing to defend our Country and to the families of all those, who once again, have been touched directly by the War on Terror.
Excellent post and point, Sarge.
I was so disappointed with Casey.
Hasan was outgunned by a hero with a bigger pair (regardless of genitalia) than that murdering coward will ever grow.
As the great zero’s administration progresses there will be fewer combat officers of flag rank, and more political hack, bootlickers like Casey. The same occurred during Billy’s tenure, if all y’all recall.
Excellent article. Thank you very much for your courageous service to our country, and a very happy Veteran’s Day to you, sir!
Thanks, amom!
It needed to be said!
Similarly with Muslims in the military. Appropriate steps should be taken to get us on the right track again.
Thank you for this post!
It’s right on the mark!
Thank you for your service to your country, Sergeant Tim!
Ping
No. God, family and country. Thats the correct pecking order.
That said Islam is whack. They would kill their fellow man because they cant understand the concept of God in 3 persons?
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
These people have no understanding of grace
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