US COMMANDER RELIEVED OF DUTY

sky news ^ | 04/04/2003 | sky news

[MIKEinGA]

A US commander who was leading a push by marines through southern Iraq towards Baghdad has been relieved of his post.

No reason has been given for the decision to relieve Colonel Joe Dowdy, commander of the Marines First Regimental Combat Team, Public Affairs Officer Steven Schweitzer said.

"He was responsible for the regiment until three hours ago," Schweitzer said.

More follows...

Last Updated: 15:46 UK, Friday April 04, 2003

[TexasNative2000]

They found a Dixie Chicks CD in his pack?

[PISANO]

Retirement soon, career ended, no star for this guy. Wonder what he did OR didn't do.

[Magnolia]

Wonder what he did OR didn't do

Punched out an embedded reporter?

[Thinkin' Gal]

Punched out an embedded reporter?

Geraldo was with this unit?

[BluH2o]

Earlier this AM an embedded reporter with this unit reported an Iraqi ammunition dump exploded killing several Marines ... could that possibly be the reason the unit commander was relieved?

[eyespysomething]

Let Whoraldo back in?

[randita]

Checkpoint debacle?

[epluribus_2]

handed out MRE Alabama Pork Rinds (tm) to citizens in An Najaf?

[gdc61]

i wonder if this is the guy who did an interveiw from in the field on fox last night? i remember saying to myself he's giving away alot of info..........

[goldstategop]

We don't know. I suspect it involved major dereliction of duty. We'll find out soon enough the reason for his being relieved of command.

[AgentEcho]

Here's his Bio:

Colonel Dowdy, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, was commissioned in 1979 as a second lieutenant following graduation from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. He also holds a M.A. degree from Webster University in Management and Human Resources Development and a M.S.S. in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Schools, Command and Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College and U.S. Army War College.

Colonel Dowdy’s command assignments include: rifle and Dragon platoon commander, Second Battalion, Eighth Marines (1980-83); Company Commander, Company E, Second Battalion, Sixth Marines (Second Battalion, Sixth Marines was redesignated as Second Battalion, Eighth Marines) (1988-1990); Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, Second Battalion, Eighth Marines (1990); Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Keflavik, Iceland (1990-1992); Commanding Officer, First Battalion, First Marines (1998-2000).

Colonel Dowdy’s staff assignments include: Marine Corps Recruiting Station LittleRock, Operations Officer and Executive Officer (1983-1986); Assistant Operations Officer (S-3A), Second Battalion, Sixth Marines (1987-1988); Operations Officer (S-3), Second Battalion, Eighth Marines (1990); Crisis-Action Plans Officer, Operations Directorate (J-3), United States Central Command (1993-1996); G-3 Operations Officer, 1st Marine Division (1996-1998); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 1st Marine Division (2000); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5, First Marine Expeditionary Force (2001-2002). .

Colonel Dowdy’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

[libbylu]

Maybe he is the one who killed two marines....ordering them across the river with their back packs and full gear, and they drowned. i imagine it would take them a week to investigate and remove him. if so this is very good.

[vollmond]

My guesses:
1. Disobeyed a lawful order.
2. Incompetence.
3. Drunk.
4. Did something politically incorrect.

[demlosers]

Geraldo was with this unit?

He was embedded with the 101st Airborne.

[AgThorn]

That could definitely be related ... was it booby-trapped? (is that how you spell booby?)

Or was it just poor demo work?

[Magnolia]

Let Whoraldo back in?

LOL....speaking of....he's now reporting from Kuwait City on Fox News. Bet his ego can't take this for very long.

[twigs]

I can't help but notice he's from Arkansas. What goes down there?

[fightinJAG]

I saw that also. WAY too much jaw-flapping going on.