Posted on 06/27/2008 4:38:56 AM PDT by PurpleMan
WICHITA FALLS, Texas — An Air Force colonel was sentenced to nine years in prison yesterday and kicked out of the military for assaulting a woman, misusing his government travel card, and other crimes at Sheppard Air Force Base.
Colonel Samuel Lofton III faced 140 years in prison after being convicted of 34 counts, including indecent assault, larceny, being absent without leave, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
The 49-year-old former training commander "systematically abused his power, position, and authority to the detriment of the Air Force and to the detriment of those around him," a prosecutor, Captain John Montgomery, said during closing arguments in the sentencing phase yesterday. "The Air Force will recover, and the stains will fade over time. But (the assault victim) will have memories of this for the rest of her life."
(Excerpt) Read more at nysun.com ...
Must be a HINO
Is Col Lofton the one making weird noises?
For way too many years the military, particularly the Air Force, has pursued an unwritten affirmative action policy for minorities and women. This is now coming home to roost. For every case like this, there are probably at least five that were either “hushed up” or not pursued at all. I expect there are literally hundreds of cases where individuals have been promoted to levels far above their incompetence. I know that more than 20 years ago that this was the case, but because the incompetent was a minority, it was “overlooked” and covered up.
Now,now Imus.
Which man is Lt.Colonel Clark fawning over?
You can receive those medals/ribbons by sitting in a chair for twenty plus.
Having served (my Father also) with Colonel Daniel James, my standard for the integrity of Colonels is a little high.
Yeah, I know. Especially an ethnic officer.
Amen! I was at NORAD Cheyenne Mt in the 70’s when Chappie was ADCOM CC, there was a real fine officer. He retired (I was in that ceremony) and died of a heart attack less than a year later, IIRC.
More affirmative action gone bad? I’d like to think this is just a bad attempt at humor, but perhaps this is what you really believe. If you do, then it’s your prerogative, but I’d like to think that the Air Force I’ve proudly served for almost (20-years) and still do is above the garbage found in the civilian world. Airmen are responsible with flying, fixing, and operating some of the most advanced weapon systems, and most sophisticated equipment in the world with “sticker prices” too high to contemplate. From USAF astronauts in the space shuttle program to our lowest ranking Airmen repairing jet engines on a flight line somewhere around the world, we simply can’t afford to play the affirmative action game.
Clearly this Commander lost his way over the years, but like other parts of society, the US military has its share of “bad apples”. We’re no more impervious to idiots in our ranks than you in whatever industry you work in, but the system worked. Col Lofton was accused, tried and convicted.
I don’t give a rip what you think about these politicians playing word games while trying to become president, but when you insult the men and women of the USAF I guess I can get a little pissed off.
I would have expected nothing less. I don't think I've ever seen an officer with a "toilet seat".
No need to get all huffy. Just because you are upstanding and haven’t witnessed anything like this doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
I served off and on in the Marine Corps and the Army National Guard between 1970 and 1992. I saw some real shitbirds for officers and I saw plenty of good ones, too. By far the best one was a man who was my battery commander and then continued on and is now a full colonel. He had a way about him that was truly worthy of respect. Not flashy or charismatic. Just pure competence and genuine caring about his men and his mission. But he was the exception.
“Toilet Seat” must be an Army or USMC term. It doesn’t ring any bells for this flyboy. In the USAF, there are only 2 levels of qualification with rifle or pistol - Qualified, for which you receive no ribbon or badge and Expert for which you receive a ribbon. In order to get the Expert ribbon, you must achieve a perfect score. If you fire expert with both rifle and pistol, you receive a bronze star on your ribbon.
Having qualified Expert with both, I did not have to demonstrate proficiency or take a class to get my CCW after I retired.
I’m not naive to the point where I don’t think this stuff happens. I’ve been deployed enough and stationed enough places over the years to know how this sh*t works, but at the same time its the responsibility of all us in uniform to get rid of those who don’t cut it. They’re put in positions of leadership and with that comes an awesome responsibility.
I’m an E-7 (Master Sergeant) and I understand my actions are severely scrutinized. From the way I wear my uniform, cut my hair and the way I talk to my subordinates - and I welcome that. Part of being a senior NCO is having my sh*t squared-away to the point where I call others “on the carpet” when they need it.
I still see the 1% of Airmen (of all ranks) who clearly don’t have a clue and I often scratch my head asking how they even got here, but at the same time I’m inspired and amazed at the level of expertise we have in the 99% of personnel. I may have overreacted a bit but my guard is always up when I sense the military being bashed.
That's scary. I have both and I should never be left alone with a weapon. ;)
Not sure about the Army but in the Marine Corps, a “toilet seat” was the badge you got for being a Marksman. There are three levels of qualification : Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert. The Marksman badge is square with concentric circles like a target. Or, as we call it, also resembling a toilet seat.
I never heard it called that in the Army but we certainly did in the Marine Corps.
That’s what I thought. Thanks.
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