FreeRepublic Exclusive: LTC Allen West personally confirms 'no prosecution advisement' from Iraq.

LTC Allen West from Tikrit | December 10, 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Upon hearing the preliminary news from Fox about LTC West and the disposition of his case last night (12/9/03) at about 11:15 PM mountain time, and the interview with his lawyer on O'Reilley, I fired an email off to the LTC for confirmation. I got a reply back from Iraq early this morning (12/10/03) confirming it. I am posting that email exchange:

Here is what I asked him in my email.

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Al,

We just got preliminary word on Fox from Atlanta (and I'm in Idaho so I am using FR to scour the net) that there will be no prosecution.

Apparently O'Reilley interviewed one of your lawyers and indicated:

"Col West's attorney was interviewed tonight. The attorney said that the investigating officer would recommend that there not be a court martial but that he might be reprimanded. Likely half of his salary for two months and that he would not lose his pension."

Is this accurate? If so, God bless you man...you should be promoted in my opinion, but this has got to be good news...sane news. Sounds like they, albeit belatedly. This should never have gone as far as it did and I only hope it has not effected the moral and willingness for other CO's to do what must be done over there.

Sincerely,

Jeff Head

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That email was sent at about 11 PM or a little after last night. This morning at 05:30 AM I Had the following reply from LTC Allen West himself. Here it is:

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Jeff,

Yes Jeff, that is pretty much it. My attorney contacted me by e-mail last night with the news. Furhterance of my career is not possible because of being relieved of command, death kiss!

I am thankful to God and looking forward to coming home and getting on with my life. Now it is just a matter of going before my CO and receiving the punishment, no problem. Stay in touch and I may be on a flight home within the week.

God Bless,

Al

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I am glad that this good man, who understood the likely impact of his actions, but was willing to take them in that time-critical combat situation he faced in order to better accomplish his mission and minimize casualties to his troopers, and who in fact reported himself...I am thankful to God in Heaven that he will receive his full retirement and come away from this as honorably as he went into it.

We need more good men like LTC Allen West.

While I do not agree with the overall circumstances in this case, our military justice system has worked as the LLTC felt and hoped it should have and I am content in that. I am sorry LTC West had to go to such lengths to make it work, particularly in these circumstances we face as a nation. I will be writing my congressional representatives about it at length in the hopes that some adjustments, particularly in attitude, can be forthcoming.

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Typo in link in reply #1, mod updated per request.

Thought everyone would like to know the latest from LTC West himself.

For those following and documenting this story, here are the earlier two threads I have posted on this topic here on FR.

Colonel West...you've got my back any time

LTC West responds to FR artcile

Jeff Head

[in the Arena]

Great news Jeff...It's a shame that LTC West's career is ending, but he can rest well knowing that he did the right thing for the men of his command...and his country.

[Jeff Head]

FYI...in case you had not seen this. The latets on LTC Al West from the LTC himself.

[MindBender26]

Da, da, da. Tovarich Zampolit

[Jeff Head]

It is great news...and I agree with your sentiments.

[Jeff Head]

Nein, bitte, sag' mir dass es nicht so ist!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I posted # 33. Thanks for making sure I got it.

[MindBender26]

I was FA, but spent most time with ABN, CAV and Applied PSYWAR units, (much more fun.)

To us, SJA was a rear echelon staff officer, sort of along the lines of the Community Laison Offider. He was there to assist troops with legal problems, prosecute and defend in UCMJ cases, etc. His opinion was never sought in any matter, because he was not Combat Arms (FA, INF, etc.) or Combat Support (Chem, TC, etc.)

The unit Surgeon was listened to, because he helped you be ready to fight, but ask the lawyers anything? Why?

[MindBender26]

The Division Commander, or independent Brigade Commanders.....

You wore THEIR patch on your shoulder!

[Jeff Head]

Oops...I see that now. Sorry for the over-kill.

I believe LTC West will do well in his upcoming opportunities...because that is how he views life.

[Poohbah]

There are reports that lawyers are now part of OPNS and OPPLAN sections and the Orders Group, to approve "legality" of plans and orders!

That's probably a sign that we have too many laws.

If a commander doesn't know what orders are "legal," or doesn't have enough faith in his/her ability to do so, then they should not be the commander. That applies all the way from E-4 squad leader to O-10 COSUSA!

True enough.

Let me ask a difficult question that very few have even tried to address: suppose the next mock execution doesn't get the suspect to talk.

What happens next?

What happens if the suspect resists interrogation after that?

Would there be any point, when applying what some here oh-so-politely call "coercive interrogation methods," where we would say, "OK, he hasn't talked, and any more coercion past this point would definitely be illegal?"

[MindBender26]

Prezhalta!

[blam]

Excellent news.

[Travis McGee]

You da man Jeff! Great report.

[Jeff Head]

IMHO, that's a purely speculative and leading question that is not gremaine to what actually happened here.

In this case, the system has worked...and it ended up working pretty much as the LTC expected and hoped it would when he reported himself. It could have gone the other way, but I am thankful for overall moral and for the LTC's sake that it did not. I'm glad he's getting his retirement, and also glad there will be no court martial. I do not believe it was warrented.

Just my opinion.

[Jeff Head]

It is great news. Great for LTC Al West's sake (he expected the reprimand) and great for troop moral at this point...albeit I believe it may have already suffered.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks...it's a good turn of events on this as far as I am concerned. Perhaps not the best...but in the circumstances a good turn and what the LTC expected in the first place when he reported himself.

[Conspiracy Guy]

He is upbeat and not afraid to stick his neck out. He'll do fine, I hope there are as many of him out there as I think there is. I hope that what he has been through doesn't deter others.

[editor-surveyor]

This is major good news, but I think that we should keep up the email campaign to keep this model soldier from being punished in any way.

He truly should receive a promotion, and we would be right in demanding that he be promoted, and any above him in command who interpreted his actions as a violation should be discharged immediately, as they are clearly unfit for command. The men must be assured that their necessary actions are fully supported.

[OldCorps]

To us, SJA was a rear echelon staff officer,...

thank God there are a few combat arms guys on freerepublic! Civilians think all guys in the military are the same. Couldn't be further from the truth! For the uninitiated, combat arms=infantry, armor, field artillery, sf [special forces] (not stupid f...ers as some are wont to say) air defense artillery, combat aviation.

Then there is combat support branches, and combat service support branches (how do you spell jagoff?). Yes, they have their roles and are a vital part of the army. But the grunts (infanty) look down their noses at them as

remfs

because they do not risk their lives daily in close combat with the enemy. They are not considered warriors or leaders, in the classical military sense.

[Issaquahking]

Thanks for the Ping Jeff! I would like the military to pin a medal on the man and, give him a greater leadership position.

It's quite obvious that this is a man who is result orientated, not PC driven! This is the kind of thing that determines leaders among men.

It scares me when our military has treated a man of LTC West's demeanor and stature so carelessly.