Bowen resigns as National Guard commander after IG's report

AP via AL.com ^ | May 24 2007 | BOB JOHNSON

[SamFromLivingston]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Maj. Gen. Mark Bowen resigned Thursday as the commanding general of the Alabama National Guard, one day after the Army released a report that Bowen had an improper relationship with a female officer in his command.

Gov. Bob Riley said in a news release he had accepted Bowen's resignation, but did not mention the report from the Army Inspector General's office.

"General Bowen has served the state over six different decades in the National Guard and has done a good job. I respect his decision to leave at this time," Riley said.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"He has had an extraordinary career," Riley said. "This guy has served his country for 40 plus years. "

And then he gave it all back for some chick at work. Hope it was worth it, moron.

[relictele]

Hey, it worked out OK for Ike.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

How so?

[lilylangtree]

Never eat where you poop.

[El Gran Salseron]

Would someone be so kind as to explain to me the word “improper” in this context? If there were two consenting adults then what is the problem?

[usurper]

Would someone be so kind as to explain to me the word “improper” in this context? If there were two consenting adults then what is the problem?

He was in her chain of command. These kind of things can reek havoc on morale. Or not.

[BFM]

Unlike the political world, in the military (and, yes, even the National Guard) it is not only improper but illegal (against regulations) to have intimate relations with subordinates under your command. It is even more "improper" and perhaps against military regulations to provide favoritism to anyone with whom you have intimate relations.

That is one of the many reasons as to why Bill Clinton was looked upon with such disfavor by most in the military. The rest of the list could take a long time to type.

In spite of this misconduct, this officer did the correct thing and resigned. Something more of our politicians should consider when faced with improper or illegal conduct.

[Goldwater and Gingrich]

I think there is some room for improvement in the law here.

The main reason not to have relations is to prevent favoritism.

What if a person in command could ask for “permission to engage” and delegate his authority to another person for promotion or review?

In life we love who we work with and it is sometimes a shame to make all the people you work with off limits.

[retMD]

Eisenhower was reputed to have had an affair with his wartime driver, Kay Summersby. Read here.

[Lil'freeper]

If there were two consenting adults then what is the problem?

The UCMJ contains provisions that seem overly strict and archaic to the sensibilities of the average civilian, however, they are designed to maintain the integrity of the chain of command and the good order and discipline of the unit. No fraternization; no adultery. For reference, it's Article 134.

[El Gran Salseron]

Yes, I’m ex-military and I understand the UCMJ but this is 2007. Our soldiers actually use rifles and munitions now. Swords are gone. It seems to me that other updating has to be done.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Thanks for the link, but I refuse to pay $4.95 to read any article by the NY Slimes. I’ll google for the info.

[retMD]

Hm, I’m not sure what the problem is - I definitely don’t have a subscription and was able to read enough to get the drift. Sorry - I would not have linked if I realized you had to pay for it! Plenty of other links.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That rumor was also said to have originated from a very elderly and very bitter Truman. Very classless.