I know Susan personally. We are both Army Social Work Officers; we worked together at the prison in Ft. Leavenworth. Let me start by telling you [all] what I think about Susan allegedly saying something sexually inappropriate - bollocks!
I will not comment on the other matter specific to her case but I’ll leave you with my two cents regarding her situation as it relates to soldiers as a whole. In my opinion, it’s part of a “draw down”; if that’s true, among the first to be discharged will be the soldiers with medical or mental health diagnosis; then those with legal issues, poor performance and “chapterable” conditions such as misconduct… she’s a good person with a big heart. She loves being a social worker and loves it even more in the Army. Susan bleeds green.
As for some of the other comments, I’ll just speak briefly on two: [Age]: Social Workers are a part of the Army’s Medical Service Corp. That branch includes: physicians, veterinarians, dentists, psychiatrists and biochemists to name a few. Unlike most branches in the Army, age is not necessarily a disqualifier. Furthermore, we can enter as Captains and Colonels without even having been in the military. That being said, be sure to ask the next soldier you see with a prosthetic leg, how important was their doctor’s age when they got their leg blown off?”
[suspicion]: Just like Susan, I joined late. I was 40 at the time. I did so because the Army gave me $90,000 to pay my student loan; 100% medical care; free travel; free room and board; a $25,000 unsecured “starter” loan with 5%APR and bonuses when we earn additional credentials. If that’s “suspicious”, then there’s another 500,000 “suspicious” soldiers returning form combat. Be sure to tell them what you think:)
Thanks for joining FR. STEPWILLIS
Since Feb 25, 2012
Blunt comments below—Warning
Nice you defend her. I would rather wait for the facts to come out rather than, not to be too blunt, accept what some friend say she couldn’t possibly have done. We have all read and hear on the news after some nasty crime, the neighbors/friends/relatives of the criminal say, “she is such a nice person,” “she would never hurt a fly,” “she could not possibly done the deed, as she is such an angel,” etc. . .you get the point.
And regarding your assessment of the priority of the draw down, I would expect you to put your vocation as number one on the hit parade. Why? Because that justifies why some of your peers are getting axed while you see other, more deserving non-performers, staying in.
Fact is, draw downs happen and the effort is to ensure we keep the most fit (mentally and physically) people on active duty. Medical retirements or separations have processes and review board well before separation papers are drawn up. Nothing new there.
Finally, “Furthermore, we can enter as Captains and Colonels without even having been in the military. That being said, be sure to ask the next soldier you see with a prosthetic leg, how important was their doctor’s age when they got their leg blown off?”
Sheesh. . again not to be too blunt, but come one, really? You talk about entering active duty as a captain or colonel and then somehow tie that to age and invent some sort of straw-man to support your made-up point? Might as well ask, “Heck, be sure to ask the next soldier you see with a prosthetic leg, how important was their pilots age when he flew that CAS mission saving his life,” or “Heck, be sure to ask the next soldier you see with a prosthetic leg, how important was the fact the medic was a homosexual when he saved his life.”
Onto another point: In the medical field you are not officers in the true sense. Your pay-grade is exactly that, a pay-grade. Nothing more, nothing less, and in fact, much less than an officer that earned his rank through professional military training and out on the line leading men and taking the fight to the enemy. And because of Geneva protections, you can never be the SRO in any combat situation, from firefights to POW camp. You can’t LEAD, and that is what officer do in combat.
Because you came on active duty as a captain or a colonel means nothing. It especially doesn’t mean you are any better or more capable than any 2Lt on the line.
Bonuses and pay and all those goodies you brag on supports studies that prove most medical personnel, and a majority of women, enter active duty for those reasons (pay, tuition, travel, etc). This is in direct contrast to the major motivations as to why men enter active duty (to serve, patriotic duty, the challenge, etc). While in the Pentagon in the mid-90’s, the results of those studies made quite a stir because it required a whole new approach to recruiting.
Basically, what you said, and tried to justify, is you are “serving” because of base selfish purposes, i.e., what’s in it for me.
I expect you to rant/reply, and that’s okay, I promise to maybe read your reply. But thing is, I’ve said my piece and will move on.
Have a nice day.