Attorney: Affair cost Byrnes his job as TRADOC commander

Army Times | August 11, 2005 | Gina Cavallaro and Jim Tice

[68skylark]

I can only post this headline, due to request from the publisher.

[68skylark]

The link is here.

Basically, he says he was relieved due to an adult, consensual affair with a woman who was not in the military and not a civilian employee of the military or the federal government.

Somewhere Pres. Clinton is laughing.

[Phantom Lord]

Well, he knowing violated the UCMJ so the action taken against him should not surprise him.

[RAY]

While married, I understand, a commissioned officer can not have an affair with a woman while he or she is married to another. Marriage infidelity is strictly forbidden and if one "gets caught" this is what happens.

[antiRepublicrat]

"I can only post this headline, due to request from the publisher."


I think we need to educate the Army Times about the law and concept of Fair Use.

[caisson71]

It is important that the military uphold the traditions of Duty, Honor and Country and enforce the UCMJ in spite of the fact that even a Commander In Chief may have been less than honorable in the past.

[68skylark]

I agree with you. I was just trying to contrast the (non-existent) standards of conduct supported by Senate Democrats with the very high standards of conduct in the U.S. military.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Gannett has more shysters and deeper pockets than FR does.

[riverdawg]

"It is important that the military uphold the ...UCMJ in spite of the fact that even a Commander In Chief may have been less than honorable in the past."

Here is part of an email on this subject that I received from a (civilian) friend of mine who works at Ft. Monroe:

"Yes, it appears that ... Byrnes had a little affair going on. His wife left him last year. ... I do think its funny they are roasting his chesnuts over the fire for that and Clinton is still walking around like he just had a moment of poor judgement. Oh well."

[RangerVetNam]

The high standard set by the UCMJ provides a lethal club for a jealous spouse

[ops33]

The restriction applies to all members of the military, not just commissioned officers. I knew a Staff Sergeant whose upcoming promotion to Tech Sergeant was vacated because of an affair with a married woman.

[Sergio]

Had to be done. Bad for morale not to. How would you like it if you had to deploy for 6 months to Iraq, and you had to worry the whole time if there was a brother in uniform just waiting for you to leave so he could make the moves on your wife.

Bad enough to have your spouse fool around on you with a civilian while you are doing your duty, but to have a fellow service member betray you is beyond the pale.

In addition, if you can't manage something as simple as keeping it in your pants, or failing that, keeping the affair a secret, how can you be trusted with secret information vital to national security.

Just my $0.02 worth, your mileage may vary.

Best Regards

Sergio

[advance_copy]

General officers do not get away with cheating on their spouse, which is the right policy if you think about it. Too much vulnerability for extortion and other forms of espionage. If you cheat before you get a star, you will never get a star. But I think they'll let O-6 and below stay in through retirement.

[68skylark]

I don't disagree with the removal of this general, or with anything you've written. I'm glad our military has high standards.

[68skylark]

General officers do not get away with cheating on their spouse, which is the right policy if you think about it.

I think it's the right policy. And I also know that a lot of things go on (at all ranks) which never get caught by higher authorities.

[Sergio]

Hey 68skylark

After rereading my post, it does sound a bit accusatory. That wasn't my intent, my apologies if it came off that way to you. It was more meant to make a point to those who might wonder what the big deal is, as both were consenting adults.

Still, I should have chosen my words with more discretion. Thanks for being so cool about it.

Best Regards

Sergio

[Terabitten]

General officers do not get away with cheating on their spouse, which is the right policy if you think about it.

Like I used to tell my soldiers, if I can't trust you to keep a promise to the one person in the world you're supposed to love above all others, how can I expect you to keep a promise you make to me?

[68skylark]

No problemo, my friend -- I didn't perceive an accusatory tone in what you wrote, and I just wanted to say I agree with you.

[caisson71]

"Oh well" exactly. So much for leadership from the top. Today's news on the 9/11 "Circus" again reenforces our need to Duty, Honor, Country....... SOMEWHERE. It certainly is not in Washington.

[RetiredArmy]

You are correct, however under the UCMJ, that applies to Officers and Enlisted alike. The violation of that Article under the UCMJ is for both. Having sexual intercourse, with a person not his lawful husband or wife, and it is a career killer. Even if you are separated, you can still get into trouble if they want to push the letter of the law.

[caisson71]

We - America - is sorely lacking in honorable leadership at the highest places. GWB is continually ridiculed, chastised and teased by the MSM for being the type of leader we sorely need. I believe the disconnect between the MSM/liberals and mainstream America is larger than anyone realizes.