Railroading Col. West

Washington Times ^ | 11/05/03

[kattracks]

With the clock ticking toward a scheduled Nov. 10 investigative hearing for Lt. Col. Allen B. West

[XHogPilot]

Col West's only error in judgement was telling his superior what he had transpired. Seems two of his enlisted men already received punishment for (ineffectively) beating this same prisoner.

This Court Martial will as a minimum advance to an Article 32 investigative hearing. Sec Def Rumsfield is the commander of the Convening Authority, and as such could direct that commander to conclude a Court Martial is inappropriate. This would be highly unusual, but not impossible.

One of the better articles on this fiasco is in the 31 Oct 03 Washington Times: Colonel in Iraq refuses to resign. Colonel West's attorney, Neal Puckett, suggests the Article 32 investigative hearing scheduled for Nov. 10 in Kirkuk, was approved by Maj. General Raymond Odierno, Commander 4th Infantry Division.

Suggestion that his career is over is bunk. His opportunity for advancement is trashed, but unless he volunteers to separate, Lt Col West has no obligation to leave until several more (28 total) years of service. In fact, he would continue to receive significant pay raises (and improved retirement pay) through his 24th year as.

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the informative reply.

[getgoing]

Lt. West did the job the two (PC?) females responsible for the interrogation failed to do - he got the information. He'd already lost soldiers - the job desc does include avoiding unnecessary risk/casualties of his personnel, right?

The lawyer for Lt. West is still stateside due to mix-up in travel arrangements. In an interview on Dallas radio yesterday he suggested calls/e-mail to put pressure on congress & DOD.

Lt. West's kids are being taunted by some of the base kids (now in treatment for stress) & his wife is virtually uninsurable due to prior cancer...loss of family medical coverage is one of his considerations.

[Ispy4u]

The DIV Commander 4th ID has no choice in this matter except to recommend court martial. He has to make it clear that these methods will not be tolerated.

Regarding the two soldiers already punished for beating the detainee, was LTC West also involved in that? Did he in any way encourage those two soldiers to mistreat the Iraqi? If so then LTC West should be tried for conduct unbecoming an officer in addition to the assault charge.

I hope for his and his family's sake that he doesn't lose his retirement benefits. That would be punishment well beyond what is called for here. I don't think being found guilty at a court martial doesn't ensure jail time either, if anyone knows different please tell me.

[DoctorMichael]

Bump.

[archy]

Suggestion that his career is over is bunk. His opportunity for advancement is trashed, but unless he volunteers to separate, Lt Col West has no obligation to leave until several more (28 total) years of service. In fact, he would continue to receive significant pay raises (and improved retirement pay) through his 24th year as.

Oh, I bet we can find something better than that for him if he is forced out....

Allen B. West
for U.S. Congress

allen.west@us.army.mil

[HardStarboard]

I suggest writing the Senate Armed Services Committee - I wrote John McCain even though he's not my Senator.

This prosecution is a travesty that must be stopped.

[Poohbah]

Regarding the two soldiers already punished for beating the detainee, was LTC West also involved in that?

It would be rather interesting if (1) LTC West encouraged them to beat the Iraqi, and (2) if he gave them an Article 15 over it.

That might explain why there was a command climate investigation in the first place.

Did he in any way encourage those two soldiers to mistreat the Iraqi? If so then LTC West should be tried for conduct unbecoming an officer in addition to the assault charge.

You and I seem to be a distinct minority around here.

[Greenpees]

This may sound extreme, but I see this as no more of a crime than protecting a Jewish family by hiding them in the back room during Hitler's Germany.

Yes, citizens of Germany who did such a thing were directly in violation of the law. But, they were also perfectly moral by doing so.

This COl. is a different breed. He put the safety of his men before his own career, while still winning the battle at hand. That is a man who should be the JCS, not discharged, and damned sure not imprisioned.

I too, understand the technical violations here, I am a military man myself. However, no one will ever convince me that this man was wrong.

[Ispy4u]

Command climate investigations usually occur when there is more than just a complaint. IG will disregard a complaint very quickly if they cannot find evidence to back up the complaint easily. In my experience if the IG is actually investigating they already have the proof they need, they are just gathering more.

I have been trying to figure out why so many people here, who usually are at least objective in their thinking, react to this story with almost pure emotion.