Pentagon Investigates Top General Franks

CNN ^

[areafiftyone]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Pentagon has launched an investigation into allegations of possible misconduct by the man who would lead U.S. forces in the event of a military strike on Iraq, CNN has learned.

Army Gen. Tommy Franks, the head of the U.S. Central Command, has been under investigation for some weeks now by the Pentagon inspector general's office. It is not clear how serious the allegations are, or what direction the probe has taken.

[txradioguy]

"So, you're a 4 star regional commander and you call Col So & So down to Florida to meet you at your puzzle palace. While there the Col gets invited to some event. "Hi Dear, this is Col S&S. He's Cdr of the 1st S&T of Ft Campbell's 101st.

Later that night you hear them in a conversation about special weapons, or night assaults, or etc., etc., etc.

What suspicions do you have?"


I'm just a little ol Spec 4 (promotable) and I've found myself in conversations like that. It happens without people even realizing that it happened.

[tracer]

Seriously, I think the guy is OK. I was trying to lighten things up a bit with some dreadful puns about Franks being a weenie, etc.

Just trying to stay on an even keel, I suppose, in these troubled times, and I do it with wry (or possibly whole wheat) humor. All the best, and try to smile -- even when it doesn't seem to make sense to do so.....

[txradioguy]

Plus take into the fact that Gen Franks isn't a "ring" i.e. a West Point Grad. They take an evil eye to officers who come up through small college ROTC. Plus there are still some friends of the BIG DOG in the 5 sided building that resent the POTUS and the way to get at W is by getting the CENTCOM commander, who happens to be from the same town, Midland, Texas.

[Stand Watch Listen]

           Biography

TOMMY R. FRANKS
Commander-in-Chief
U.S. Central Command

General Tommy R. Franks is the Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

General Franks was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1967 as a distinguished graduate of the Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After an initial tour as a battery Assistant Executive Officer at Fort Sill, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam, where he served as Forward Observer, Aerial Observer, and Assistant S-3 with 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery. He also served as Fire Support Officer with 5th Battalion (mechanized), 60th Infantry during this tour.

In 1968, General Franks returned to Fort Sill, where he commanded a cannon battery in the Artillery Training Center. In 1969, he was selected to participate in the Army's "Boot Strap Degree Completion Program," and subsequently attended the University of Texas, Arlington, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1971. Following attendance at the Artillery Advance Course, he was assigned to the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany in 1973 where he commanded 1st Squadron Howitzer Battery, and served as Squadron S-3. He also commanded the 84th Armored Engineer Company, and served as Regimental Assistant S-3 during this tour.

General Franks, after graduation from Armed Forces Staff College, was posted to the Pentagon in 1976 where he served as an Army Inspector General in the Investigations Division. In 1977 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army where he served on the Congressional Activities Team, and subsequently as an Executive Assistant.

In 1981, General Franks returned to West Germany where he commanded 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery for three years. He returned to the United States in 1984 to attend the Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he also completed graduate studies and received a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration at Shippensburg University. He was next assigned to Fort Hood Texas as III Corps Deputy Assistant G3, a position he held until 1987 when he assumed command of Division Artillery, First Cavalry Division. He also served as Chief of Staff, First Cavalry Division during this tour.

His initial general officer assignment was Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), First Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During 1991-92, he was assigned as Assistant Commandant of the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill. In 1992, he was assigned to Fort Monroe, Virginia as the first Director, Louisiana Maneuvers Task Force, Office of Chief of Staff of the Army, a position held until 1994 when he was reassigned to Korea as the CJG3 of Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

From 1995-97, General Franks commanded the Second Infantry (Warrior) Division, Korea. He assumed command of Third (U.S.) Army/Army Forces Central Command in Atlanta, Georgia in May 1997, a post he held until June 2000 when he was selected for promotion to General and assignment as Commander in Chief, United States Central Command.

General Franks' awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service Medal (two awards); Legion of Merit (four awards); Bronze Star Medal with "V" (three awards); Purple Heart (three awards); Air Medal with "V"; Army Commendation Medal with "V"; and a number of U.S. and foreign service awards. He wears the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember's Badge.

[thinktwice]

General Franks "Bio" ... from http://www.usembassy.uz/centcom/frankbio.htm

TOMMY R. FRANKS
Commander-in-Chief
U.S. Central Command

General Tommy R. Franks is the Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

General Franks was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1967 as a distinguished graduate of the Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After an initial tour as a battery Assistant Executive Officer at Fort Sill, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam, where he served as Forward Observer, Aerial Observer, and Assistant S-3 with 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery. He also served as Fire Support Officer with 5th Battalion (mechanized), 60th Infantry during this tour.

In 1968, General Franks returned to Fort Sill, where he commanded a cannon battery in the Artillery Training Center. In 1969, he was selected to participate in the Army's "Boot Strap Degree Completion Program," and subsequently attended the University of Texas, Arlington, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1971. Following attendance at the Artillery Advance Course, he was assigned to the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany in 1973 where he commanded 1st Squadron Howitzer Battery, and served as Squadron S-3. He also commanded the 84th Armored Engineer Company, and served as Regimental Assistant S-3 during this tour.

General Franks, after graduation from Armed Forces Staff College, was posted to the Pentagon in 1976 where he served as an Army Inspector General in the Investigations Division. In 1977 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army where he served on the Congressional Activities Team, and subsequently as an Executive Assistant.

In 1981, General Franks returned to West Germany where he commanded 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery for three years. He returned to the United States in 1984 to attend the Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he also completed graduate studies and received a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration at Shippensburg University. He was next assigned to Fort Hood Texas as III Corps Deputy Assistant G3, a position he held until 1987 when he assumed command of Division Artillery, First Cavalry Division. He also served as Chief of Staff, First Cavalry Division during this tour.

His initial general officer assignment was Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), First Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During 1991-92, he was assigned as Assistant Commandant of the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill. In 1992, he was assigned to Fort Monroe, Virginia as the first Director, Louisiana Maneuvers Task Force, Office of Chief of Staff of the Army, a position held until 1994 when he was reassigned to Korea as the CJG3 of Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

From 1995-97, General Franks commanded the Second Infantry (Warrior) Division, Korea. He assumed command of Third (U.S.) Army/Army Forces Central Command in Atlanta, Georgia in May 1997, a post he held until June 2000 when he was selected for promotion to General and assignment as Commander in Chief, United States Central Command.

General Franks' awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service Medal (two awards); Legion of Merit (four awards); Bronze Star Medal with "V" (three awards); Purple Heart (three awards); Air Medal with "V"; Army Commendation Medal with "V"; and a number of U.S. and foreign service awards. He wears the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember's Badge.

[swarthyguy]

Thanks. Nice to see some light being shed on this.

[txradioguy]

My bad. Just a little touchy about the fellow Midlanders. Didn't mean to shoot first and ask questions later. I gotta find a way to lighten up a little! LOL!

[TC Rider]

General's wives are hell.

It wasn't widely reported, but a US NATO chief during Clinton received a brand new armored Mercedes limo.

The wifey took it golfing. When she was done golfing, she insisted that her 'driver' come fetch her golf bag. While he was lugging her clubs back to the car, a miscreant jumped in the still idling limo and drove off in the 500,000+ Mercedes.

My recollection is that it was later recovered with minor damage.

[areafiftyone]

Why do women in power have to act that way? They screw it up for other women. I am a woman and never acted that way. LOL but then again I am a peasant!

[txradioguy]

"This is far from highly decorated for a 4 star general. Actually, it is rather minimal for someone in his position. Most 2 tour RVN vets have alleast a SS, maybe a DSC, etc."

Those are just the ones they listed. There's more. I know I've interviewed him while he was in his class A's. And I wouldn't knock anyone with three PH's. Especially knowing what you have to do to get one. Franks is a warrior. You can bank on that.

[freebilly]

I heard something about allegations that he is not "all-beef," was not cutting the mustard, and that they grilled him, confirmed their wurst fears, noted that he was on a roll, and realized that their suspicions were pretty much in the ball park....

You're quite the hot dog. I noticed that you seem to relish his predicament....

[tracer]

Actually, I'm saddened by his predicament. Your puns are good, though...

[billhilly]

He told his wife the truth. A PC no-no.

[xzins]

I didn't know that. Is Franks really from Midland, Tx?

When do you do PLDC?

[zeaal]

Recall if you will a while back reports about the top brass in the Pentagon being resistant to the Bush Administration and Rumsfeld's leadership because they had all come to their positions during the former president's administration and were 'used' to another style of leadership?

Seems some of those folks who might be resistant to the Bush Policy on Iraq might be stirring the stew?

[txradioguy]

Yes he graduated from the same high school as Mrs. Bush but graduated the year before. Donnie Evans (commerce secretary) is from here too. My dad did business with Messrs. Bush and Evans while they were both still in the Oil Business in the early 80's. I'll probably go this summer when it warms up a little at Ft. Riley. I'm a little behind the power curve for my promotion due to spending 3 years in the Guard. But I'm gonna make up time real fast.

[MindBender26]

"he was selected for this job because most in the military consider him our toughest battle hardened commander."

Sorry, but my sources, deep in the Five Side Puzzle Palace, describe Franks as from "our toughest battle hardened commander."

Franks is a good man, a very good man,(he was 2 months junior to me at FA OCS) but he is a staff and politico type who made most of his strides under Clinton, as opposed to Abizaid who commanded the Rangers in the Panama Invasion, etc.

Is Franks even a Ranger?

[MindBender26]

"he was selected for this job because most in the military consider him our toughest battle hardened commander."

Sorry, but my sources, deep in the Five Side Puzzle Palace, describe Franks as from "our toughest battle hardened commander."

Franks is a good man, a very good man,(he was 2 months junior to me at FA OCS) but he is a staff and politico type who made most of his strides under Clinton, as opposed to Abizaid who commanded the Rangers in the Panama Invasion, etc.

Is Franks even a Ranger?

[xzins]

Good luck. Work Hard. Pray.

Xzins
Chaplain (Ret) US Army

[txradioguy]

I'm doing all of the above sir. I can assure you of that.