I stated my opinion.
As near as I can figure, SSG matches up with PO2 which is what I held as I was reluctantly separated -- but that is neither here nor there.
When I was in the Nav, we prayed and hoped for officers that were more concerned about the mission and us than they were for their careers. And believe me, I do know about the ones who weren't.
This man looks like he was willing to break some rules to protect his men. To my mind, that means he is doing what an officer is paid to do. Even if that means he gets his nuts in a cracker later.
You disagree. So be it.
I stand by my original remark.
We'll know if in the next three or four months the enlisted men and junior officers of LTC West's battalion start filling in the blanks in the story.
Indeed, I reckon the December 2003 or January 2004 issue of Soldier of Fortune magazine will be a particularly interesting one....