Lawyer: Florida soldier reprimanded for marriage to Iraqi, will be discharged

The Charleston Gazette ^ | 1 December 2003 | BILL KACZOR Associated Press Writer

[11th_VA]

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- An American soldier has been reprimanded and will be discharged for taking a break from a foot patrol in Baghdad to marry an Iraqi woman, his lawyer said Monday.

Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, is being punished for divulging the time and location of the patrol to his bride and the Iraqi judge who married them, his attorney said. The Florida National Guardsman avoided a possible court-martial for dereliction of duty and disobeying orders.

Blackwell received a written reprimand in advance of the discharge, attorney Richard Alvoid said.

"The more they punish him, the more negative publicity the military likely will receive,'' he said. "He is guilty of falling in love.''

Florida Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Ron Tittle said he had no word on disciplinary action against Blackwell or a second Florida guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, who married another Iraqi woman in a double ceremony during a break on the same patrol Aug. 17. Both women are physicians.

The soldiers, attached to the 1st Armored Division, have been in Iraq since April. Both were Christians who converted to Islam before they married.

A division spokesman in Baghdad, Capt. Jason Beck, had no immediate comment on the soldiers' status. Blackwell's mother, Vickie McKee, said her son has told her he could be discharged and sent home by Christmas.

The Army has not permitted Blackwell to see his bride since the wedding but recently allowed them to resume contact by telephone, McKee said.

"He's a little ticked off at the government right now,'' she said. "I'd hate for him to get a dishonorable discharge because he fell in love.''

McKee said her son told her Dagen and his bride are divorcing under pressure from the wife's parents. Gwen Tutton, Dagen's cousin, said he has told family members to stop speaking to the media.

Alvoid said Blackwell's bride, Ehdaa, has received anti-American threats and may leave the country by Christmas to go to western Europe, where the couple could be reunited. It would take much longer to get her into the United States, he said.

The couple met while Blackwell was on guard duty at the Iraqi Health Ministry.

Alvoid said he soon expects to complete a book deal for Blackwell and his wife, and that a movie may follow.

AP-ES-12-01-03 1839EST

[ServesURight]

Guys, guys!! We're on the same side here. Don't get yourselves banned from JimRob's home!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"But whaddaya expect from an NG."

What's with the snide remark about the National Guard?
National Guard men and women are helping protect Freedom for all Americans.
Please show proper respect to ALL who serve in the military.

[Newbomb Turk]

Thank you for your service Sir. I recognize your comment as I hear it from people of your generation all the time.
True the National Guard was once a place for deadbeats and draft avoiders, weekend warriors and wanna bees.

Those days are long gone my friend. Todays Guard is better educated and often more motivated than the regular Army soldiers we train with.

My Armor unit competed on a yearly basis with troops on Ft Knox, Ft Carson and Ft Riley and not only did we hold our own we waxed many a units butt.

Add that to the fact that the regular Army trains all year and we acomplish that in exactly 38 training days per year. That means we have to be highly organized and motivated.

Please don't think I am knocking you. I mean no offense. Things change. Welcome to the year 2003.

[SouthernFreebird]

he said. "He is guilty of falling in love.''

BullF'ingchit....he is guilty of leaving his post... putting how many in danger...? he should be court marshalled and do time! ...and keep his enemy bride outta here we have enough sleepers already.

[mystery-ak]

Thank You....My husband's Brigade CO(out of Germany) told his commander that they were the best Chinook unit he has ever seen, including his own...while *regular* army Chinooks sat grounded for repairs, ours were flying their missions...we kept them up and flying....

[Old Sarge]

Todays Guard is better educated and often more motivated than the regular Army soldiers we train with.Too bloody right we are!

My guys were out at Ft. Irwin in June, running with 11th ACR. The Guard guys were appalled; meth everywhere. And such slackjob discipline, our Sergeant-Major and theirs had words.

And the sight and sound of two E-9's locked in mortal combat is awe-inspiring.

Glad you're out there, Brother. At least, one of us on this thread is.

[JoeFromCA]

A lot of people just don't know the extent to which our military forces are made up of national guard units subject to active duty on a moment's notice. Thanks to your husband and your family for all you are doing for our country. He is a full fledged soldier and American in every way.

[mystery-ak]

This perception of the Guard has got to change...thanks for your kind words.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Send deployed troops message on SoldiersRadio.com

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You can do an Audio Post Card simply by calling 1-800-330-5090.
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You can record a short message (30 seconds) to friends, family members or just a random message of good will. SoldiersRadio will then take your message and put it on the radio Web cast throughout the Holiday Season. Its very simple to do and works both ways ... from the field or to the Service member.

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The cut-off date for the call in is Dec.15.
SoldiersRadio.com

[Newbomb Turk]

People just don't understand do they. Today the Guard makes up over 50% of the stregenth in many units.

Almost all support functions for the active duty Army are Guard units.

[templar]

Please don't think I am knocking you. I mean no offense. Things change.

My experience with NG's in Viet Nam was that they were poorly trained and even more poorly disciplined. They were considered as a kind of a joke by most of us (at least when their units first arrived, they learned pretty quickly and got pretty good). Their officers, and a lot of their senior NCO's, seemed to be more 'buddies' to their men than disciplined leaders. They took quite a few casualties as a result, as did those relying on them.

What I see in this article doesn't indicate any change in the disicpline scenario. Here we have a NG troop that gave vital information to a potential enemy, left his duty post, engaged in unlawful activities which involved fraternizing with a local woman (at the very least), and generally disobeyed orders: All in a combat zone. That should merit a court martial and a pretty stiff prison sentence. He basically gets off free, though, That is not discipline, this does not inspire other troops to strictly obey orders without question, that is not indicative of a strong and serious command structure nescessary for confidence in superiors when split sceond life and death decisions are being made. The failing is in the command, not in the individual soldiers, they are just doing what the command's disciplinary standards indicates is acceptable (even if only fringe acceptability). This is generally fatal in war zones.

I hope you don't think I'm discounting the importance or honor of your service. NG recruits are, I'm sure, as serious about being soldiers as any other regular recruits. Any failing lies in the leadership, not in the soldiers. The NG soldiers are, I'm sure, as good a stock as any that have ever served America. I'm truly hoping I don't hear of a NG unit taking heavy casualties due to a breach of discipline in the ranks resulting form letting this guy off so easy.

[river rat]

I know at least a couple of old gunnys - that upon hearing what this clown did while on "patrol"...would probably have attempted to kill him for his reckless and dangerous behavior...maybe not to kill - but to deliver severe pain and remove him from the field - while he awaited trial under the UCMJ...

Would any of this asshole's defenders - accept the explanation that their son or daughter was killed when they unknowingly accompanied this idiot to a PRE-DETERMINED wedding/ambush site - because this idiot simply "fell in love"....and agreed to be at a certain place at a certain time to get MARRIED while on patrol?

One can NOT trust one's life or the lives of his team to an immature asshole like this....

A Dishonorable Discharge would be getting off light..
In my book - he would spend at least 10 years in Leavenworth...

Semper Fi

[Ruth A.]

Seems like a solution that will kep the whiners fairly quiet. These two slackers should have a little blanket party before they leave, IMHO.

[templar]

You have mail.

[Old Sarge]

Sorry, but it got deleted.

You can put your apology to myself, and Mystery-ak and her husband, and every other National Guardsman and veteran on Free Republic, out here in public view, where it belongs.

Until that happens, don't Freepmail me. Ever.

[templar]

What apology? I sent my address. You indicated you wanted to visit me.

[HitmanLV]

Look if he married an Iraqi man, he would have no problems at all....

[sarasmom]

"This perception of the Guard has got to change"

I agree.
And I myself was guilty of harboring a less than enthusiastic opinion of National Guard units, untill a young NG co-worker of mine educated me on the new mission and requirements of the NG, as opposed to what they were tasked with in the 1970/80s.(the old days)
I am no expert still, but it is my understanding that many States actually have basically a "lease" agreement with the Federal Government.
The Feds drastically reduced the active duty numbers, and now rely on the NGs to provide large numbers of manpower, outside of the CONUS.
I am sure many people who did not closely follow what has been done to our armed forces in the last 20 years would be as shocked as I was to learn the National Guard in my state is not going to be responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and God forbid, enemy incursions on CONUS.
They are constantly deploying overseas, and have been for quite some time.
Not a comforting thought to those of us who foolishly assumed our individual State Governor's had a fully staffed force to call to active service in any emergency.
God bless your husband!

[DeepDish]

"Look if he married an Iraqi man, he would have no problems at all...."

And a far better shot at a movie/book deal.

[mystery-ak]

Your post says it all...NG'smen are highly trained and professional soldiers...they do their jobs and are proud to do it....My hubby knows he will probably be rotated back to Iraq a year after he returns home in April...so he'll end uo doing two tours in Iraq before he retires.