Do the math folks ... this CLOWN would have been a Captain when Zero became president. Given his lefty proclivities, probable PHD in butt-kissing and the “Obamaization” of the military, he got promoted to 0-4 and then 0-5 (thereby fulfilling the ‘Peter Principle’ of being promoted one rank beyond his competence.)
Given his knowledge of the Ukranian language and (presumably) its history, it was an easy play for him to convince senior officers of his supposed ‘special knowledge, talents and abilities’ when the Russia-Ukraine situation blew up into war.
THAT, I am almost certain, is how LTC ‘Pudgy’ (aka the ‘chow thief’ according to comrades at an earlier assignment) got his rank.
What he is, however, is a guy trying to play the ‘old country’ vs his ‘new country’ for maximum personal gain.
I have ZERO doubt - NONE - that he has divided personal national loyalties.
Not surprised if his family members used the relationship to get $$$$ for themselves from the uber-corrupt Ukranian government.
I have seen his kind - a game player full of his own overblown sense of purpose and self-worth.
As someone who advised and translated for Task Force commanding generals for a YEAR (including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) during another overseas US involvement in the “East”, I observed that such “dual hat” prima donnas are quite common in that type of environment. When you are suddenly a scarce and wanted commodity like a uniformed native speaker in a nation we suddenly have an interest it, you can parlay that historical accident for personal advancement quite easily - even if what you actually have to offer isn’t worth much more than a hill of beans.
Suspect Ukraine is no different than the countries that I was involved in operations in. I’ve never met or heard of Vindman before this sorry episode - but “I KNOW HIM”, if you get my meaning.
Perhaps, but I never blame the person for the historical accident. He doesn’t give himself a promotion. I blame the one who gave him a promotion. I never blame someone for what they are paid either. When I hear a higher up sometimes complain about someone’s position and/or pay, I think, you were the one who promoted and signed off on the pay.