The guy is ranting like he spent years in war. Armor units spent a max of 100 hours in combat in Gulf War 1.
My position is that I understand what LCT West did, and have said I applaud him. The fact remains that he violated the UCMJ and may pay a price for doing so. He knew the rules, I knew the rules and every other soldier knows the rules.
I didn't make them up, and goodness knows we all violate rules and laws, but we know there is a penalty if caught. I do not want the street cop making up his own law (I have two for brothers-in-law) nor low level bureaucrats at State making foreign policy or LTC's in the field deciding who they will pull off the street and under what rules they will be treated.
The UCMJ has been established by men who have fought our wars for many years (and no they weren't all REMF) and when I dodged they draft by enlisting I agreed to support them. LTC West did also. They may be wrong in this case, we shall see.
For my part I hope he walks and they kick the asses of those who let this get past Brigade level.
As regards the rest, particularly this:
For my part I hope he walks and they kick the asses of those who let this get past Brigade level.
I agree 100%.
And so does LTC West. He reported himself and expected the reprimand he aparently now (according to the recomendation coing out of the article 32 hearing) will receive.
I'll BUMP my latest correspondence directly with West to you.