LTC Al West Responds to FR Article

That article haas received a lot of attention and became a very good thread with people inside and outside the military analyzing and commneting on the episode in Iraq where this fine Lt. Colonel acted on his own volition in a time-sensitive, combat environment to extract information from an enemy spy within the coalition fomred and supported Iraqi Police Force.

The method of intimidation Colonel West used to extract the information has become the center of controversy and is leading to military legal proceedings against the Colone...despite the fact that the information panned out, other enemies conspirators were caught and an enemy ambush against American forces was averted.

It has been my own position that while Colonel West's actions may have violated general rules concerning enemy detainees or prisoners, his dicretion and initiative in accomplishing his mission (securing and pacifying the area of operation) while minimizing American casualties should be applauded and should lead to subtle changes in the rules to ensure that such successful initiative and disretion is not punished in the future.

Having been given Colonel West's military email in the course of discussing that initial article on FreeRepublic, I emailed him informing him of the article and of the strong support he has amongst the public. I presumed (as it turned out correctly) that he was receiving hundreds of emails a day and that I would probably not hear from him.

To my surprise, I did hear from him and have now carried on an exchange of emails with him regarding his circumstances and plans. He has given me permission to post the email he responded to me with in the hopes that people will understand his position, his plans and his feelings regarding this episode.

At almost any other time in history we would call that type of action in a combat zone "service above and beyond the call of duty".

He deserves our support and our prayers. I pray that he will not be marked by this incident, that he will be allowed to retain his full military honor and retirement and that he will write his story for all Americans to read. I have encouraged him to do so.

If what West did was the right thing, then why shouldn't every platoon leader follow his example, and disregard their orders if they have reason to believe it will put their men at risk?

First, it was not simply about not putting his men at risk. The principle objective is to accomplish the mission which is furtherance of NCA, which in effect is in furtherance of defending America and its liberty. He sought to accomplish his mission while minimizing US casualties.

Seconde, our commanders are expected to use their judgement and discretion. They are not automons. They are also expected to take responsibility and be accountable for it. West did that.

IMHO, what he did was spot on...it was right...and the SOP needs to be reviewed and adjusted to allow for such actions in time-critical combat situations, and take into account the fact that the info and the action pans out. Commanders would then be in a position to make the similar hard call, realizing that if they are wrong, and if they go too far...then they are accountable for that. But if they are right, and if the new SOP accounts for such latitude as West took...then they are free to act as he did, based on the knowledge and judgement that they have...and realize the same benefits. IE. accomplishing the mission and minimizing US casualties in the process.

Thanks for the reasoned dialogue. I'm covering the same ground here so I'll close on this post.

Mr.Head, I am a mother of a 4th ID soldier who has been serving in Iraq since early April when his unit went in. I have also been corresponding with Col. West via email, Angela likewise, and visited with her by phone.

I'm including a piece I assimilated, most recently on this case. Ordierno's languor on the case, is most troubling. As a mother of a troop who is trying to stay alive in a most hellish environment, where in civilians are regularly and willing used as cover for insurgents, and our soldiers see the horror of war up close and most personal--blown faceless comrades stumbling towards them-- tell me how is it even conscionable that, in such an environment, we expect our soldiers to have in focus, that their mission is to win the hearts and minds of the Iraq populace?

And the West issue is well known amongst the troops. They have more faith in being prosecuted then they do being defended.

Here's the article:

While 4th ID Major General Presses
"Be Lethal" Message, One of his own Lt. Col. Stands So Charged

In seeking to find the equitableness in the case against
Lt. Col Allen B. West, one struggles as the news
poured out of Iraq, in regard to the action of the
troops of the 4th ID--which Col West was a part of up
until he was removed from his battalion command--
with in the span of one week, included the following:

November 17 Reuters reported:

Angered by bomb attacks ... the
commander of a US battalion in Iraq
sent his tanks and armored vehicles
through the streets on Monday in a
demonstration of firepower to
insurgents.

Weapons of choice: Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting
vehicles, armored personnel carriers, “.. Infantrymen
in full battle dress... machine-guns mounted on
Humvees...”

Message cast: It’s in your best interest to not resist us;
cooperate with us; tell us what you know of the
activities aiding this insurgency. Or there will be
severe and fearsome consequences to pay.

November 18, World Net Daily report:

'Heroic' officer faces
Army hearing
Lt. Col. West argues aggressive
interrogation saved lives of troops

Article breakdown: after suffering previous ambush
attacks to his troops, upon being tipped-off of yet
another organized attack designed for he and his men;
in an attempt to advert that pending attack, Lt. Col.
Allen B. West-- former commander of the 4th ID’s 2
battalion of it’s 20th Field Artillery Regiment--used a
demonstration of fire power. Thus, successfully
obtained legitimate human intel sufficient to avoid that
foe-scheduled appointment with death for he and his
troops.

Weapon of choice: 9 mm weapon. Fired twice; close
to the mans head; with the urging: “Talk or I kill.”

The man, who had been with his female interrogators
for two hours and yet only claimed he knew nothing,
suddenly with the aid to his memory granted him by
the aggressive actions of Col. West, was blest with
total recall.

Additionally on November 18, Washington Post
carried a story: This, a narrative of this division’s
major general, MG Ray Odierno. It Spelled out, how
he pressed to drive home his message to officers under
his command: “ ... make sure you understand my
intent: that I want to be lethal. Make them, (any
insurgents) understand.”

This General is said to “care deeply” for his soldiers.
Said to be a man who “lead by example”, a no
nonsense kind of a leader. Article also spotlighted,
General Odierno was “the youngest division
commander and one of the most rapidly promoted
officers of West Point's Class of 1976.”

Next caption: 18 November, Los Angeles Times: U.S.
Flexes Its Muscles in Iraq's North, Tells of
“Intimidation campaign.” Used to 'send a signal.’

Weapon of choice: “a missile carrying a 500-pound
warhead.”

Message implied: No more footsies; Cooperate: Or
there will be hell to pay.

November 19, Reuters: Emotional U.S. officer
admits wrongdoing in Iraq.

Opening paragraphs quote a man who says he knows
his actions were not in line with Article 128 of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice, but argues his
actions were in line with his will to do all he could to
keep his promise to the families he and his boys left
back in Ft. Hood, TX. That being, bring them home
alive.

Weapon of choice: recall the 9mm pistol.

Intended end: Cooperate; or else.

Twentieth November, Army Times: “Military in Iraq
gunning more firepower as scare tactic for
insurgents”

Weapons of choice: “artillery, tanks and aircraft.”

Message sent: Conveyed in article’s title.

All these, from the ranks of the 4th ID.

Now the hearing is past, and once he receives the
recommendation from the Article 32 hearing officer
the decision of what to do to Col. West lies with
Major General Ray Odierno.

Should that recommendation be to proceed with a
court martial, the General is in a tough spot.

How can he in good conscience do any thing less than
decide to bring this--except for it’s sombourous
possible ends --ridiculum on our will to be lethal
without apology, to an all ready all-to-late and
none-to-soon abrupt end?

Mean while, a division watches. So too, a nation.

Likewise an most lethal foe.

All-the-while, daily this past week the death toll in the
4th ID continued to rise. And as a mother of one 4th ID
soldier, we can only pray our son is blessed enough
to be serving under the command of a man the likes of
the height, width and stock not far from that seen in
Lt. Col Allen B. West.

Debi M. Brand
918-283-2477
20405 E. Hwy. 20
Claremore, OK 74019
Mother of a 4th ID Soldier,
Serving in Iraq since Early April,
When his unit first went in

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