Fox5 Atlanta says Col West won't be prosecuted

Fox5 Atlanta ^ | Dec 9, 2003 | Fox5 Atlanta

[mikegi]

Fox5 Atlanta says that Col. West will only receive a written reprimand and won't be prosecuted.

[Calpernia]

GET OUT!!!!

That is criminal!

No wonder the libs always try to criminalize the good guys! They have quite a few rungs to knock off the ladder before they are in the same atmosphere with us.

[dougherty]

He should have been given a medal, not a reprimand.

Ditto.

[aynrandfreak]

I think he could win a seat in Congress easily in GA, which would send a message to politicians about what approach the voters want our leaders to take towards fighting terrorism.

[What Is Ain't]

Agreed. Good news, but it should never have been news.

[CyberAnt]

I totally agree. He did break the rule. However, he never hurt anyone, and he saved his men from death and injury.

[RebelBanker]

Would this written reprimand have a serious impact on whether he could be promoted in the future?

For a commissioned officer, it is a career-ender. With a letter of reprimand in his file, he will NEVER receive another promotion. I think they said he has enough time in to retire, so the only bright spot is that it will not impact his pension.

[cavtrooper21]

I'm betting that he gets to inspect the readiness of NG cannon cocker units in Idaho until he has his time in grade.
Then he can go on to better things. (with that LTC retirement pay)
I have the feeling that he may have been planning to retire anyway. I think this whole thing was a fluke and he knew that he would not get nuked too badly so he did what he wanted to do, not what he would have done if he had been looking for a bird or a star.
Besides, he was kind of long in the tooth for being as low in grade as he was. I bet he was gone at 20 anyway with the Army's up or out rules.

[Mike Darancette]

I think he could win a seat in Congress easily in GA,

Is he a Pubbie? If not he should be. He should get his bird too.

[cavtrooper21]

And a hearty DITTO!!!

[Lijahsbubbe]

Very nice post. I am happy to hear the news, but sad that Col. West had to be put through such a draining ordeal.

[connectthedots]

There should be some news on the legal front fairly soon. A very important person in DC is aware of the coruption in Washington state courts related to a case a friend of mine is involved in. The fallout from his case will assure my success, if I don't get to these judgs before he does.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Can't a letter of reprimand be expunged from a persons record? Seems to me I remember it can be. (I could be wrong). Regardless, this won't affect his rank or retirement. Plus, this also isn't a court martial, but a letter that "could" affect promotion when all things are being considered.

So, it isn't as hard a pill to swallow when an officer or higher ranking enlisted person is deciding on life or death situations for his troops. (Sets the precedence).

I am waiting for final word on this along with others. I think a letter of reprimand is better than a court martial or a reduction in rank. I think a total dismissal was in order, as did everyone we talked to, but it's over.

But a letter of reprimand, as distasteful as it may be to many of us, is only a slap on the wrist. I imagine the LTC will accept this with dignity and relief. Now he can move on with his life, as he and his wife wish to do.

This is a very positive outcome!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Darn!! I don't know why you aren't in the ping list for my post 92!! It was your ping I was answering!! ?

[xzins]

I don't think he was going to pasture. It is very rare to be chosen for battalion command and he was a battalion commander. He's also a minority. I'd say he was a shoo-in for bird colonel before this.

But LTC retirement pay ain't so bad.

I agree about Idaho cannon cockers. He'll be counting bombs in some ammo plant in AMC. Or worse...the most dreaded assignment for majors and ltc's....go to the puzzle palace and do the paperwork for some 1 or 2 star.

[archy]

The JAG that brought charges against Lt. Colonel West should be taken to the wood shed himself.

Herself.

[Calpernia]

I'm here! And I agree with you! :)

[doug from upland]

Way to go, Colonel.

[cavtrooper21]

No, but it can be sealed.
In this case it would not matter, as every one will know what the letter is for anyway.
I think LTC West knew what would happen all along. What he did was a final act of, from what I have heard, a long career of caring about and for his troops.
What he did was wrong. No amount of good intentions can alter that. He knew that when he pulled the trigger.
I think he is getting what he deserves. No more, no less.

[maui_hawaii]

If true, its very good news.

If they would even try to prosecute this the armed forces would have absolute hell to pay.

Did they say anything about his pay and all that?

If they take away his pay it still could be bad for them.

Other than that its a good deal. Just say you are sorry and don't do it again. Not bad.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

This is wonderful news. God Bless LTC West and his wife. May retirement be a blessed event for both of them. Do you remember when his time was up? I know he was getting really short. (That means near retirement time, near the 20 years).