Posted on 11/13/2012 10:40:27 AM PST by billorites
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has demoted the former head of U.S. Africa Command who was accused of spending thousands of dollars on lavish travel and other unauthorized expenses, a senior U.S. official said Tuesday.
Panetta stripped Gen. William ‘‘Kip’’ Ward of a star, which means that he will now retire as a three-star lieutenant general despite arguments from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff against the demotion. Ward also has been ordered also repay the government $82,000.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to discuss a personnel matter.
The demotion comes as retired Army Gen. David Petraeus resigned as CIA director because of an extramarital affair and Marine Gen. John Allen is being investigated for improper communications with a woman.
According to the official, Panetta reviewed the Ward matter and concluded that the wrongdoing found by the Defense Department Inspector General, in a report released earlier this year, demanded accountability.
Retiring as a three-star will cost Ward about $30,000 a year in retirement pay — giving him close to $208,802 a year rather than the $236,650 he would get as a four-star.
Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, urged Panetta to allow Ward, the former head of U.S. Africa Command, to retire at his full four-star general rank, according to defense officials. Other military leaders had noted that the demotion would cost Ward a lot of money.
The inspector general’s report found that Ward used military vehicles to shuttle his wife on shopping trips and to a spa and billed the government for a refueling stop overnight in Bermuda, where the couple stayed in a $750 suite. The report detailed lengthy stays at lavish hotels for Ward, his wife and his staff members,
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
In light of the recent news re: Petraeus and Allen, there's more than a little whiff of hypocrisy in the air when an officer is cashiered for insisting that his wife accompany him abroad.
Who did this guy think he was?
Nancy Pelosi and her spawn??
Michelle on “Wookie One”?
Hillary and Huma on “Broomstick 2”?
And the purge continues.
She shoulda married a community organizer instead of a solider if she was hoping for free international travel.
“Kip”?
did he spend it all on brie cheese and fancy drapes?
It seems like the top brass is being purged so Obama can take absolute control.
If Obama owns the military, who would be able stop him? John Boehner? John Roberts?
Get ready for the SHTF!
“And the purge continues.”
Just as Val Jarret(sp?) said it would. “Revenge!”
Obama is the CIC; he already has absolute control.
Wow. They’re really purging the ‘4 stars’ aren’t they?
Our military promotes through O-8 (major general, rear admiral (upper half)). All higher ranks are appointive: the president appoints and the Senate confirms. No one is "broken" from O-10 to O-9 because O-9 also requires Senate confirmation. This guy has obviously been reassigned to an O-9 billet and will have to be confirmed in it. Only the Senate can allow someone to retire as an O-9, O-10, or (in war), O-11.
Boston Globe, you still suck.
Another affirmative action success story.....
Just waiting for the inevitable cries of racism. You KNOW it will happen.
Post-election Purge.
What the heck is going on with all these generals?
here is a question for you military FReepers - how many of those four star generals do we have in total?
Almost as if they are planning something......getting rid of any American patriots and replacing them with loyalists to the administration. Should we be afraid?
“Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has demoted the former head of U.S. Africa Command who was accused of spending thousands of dollars on lavish travel and other unauthorized expenses, a senior U.S. official said Tuesday.
Panetta stripped Gen. William ‘‘Kip’’ Ward of a star, which means that he will now retire as a three-star lieutenant general despite arguments from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff against the demotion. Ward also has been ordered also repay the government $82,000.”
Obama is clearing the way to promote homosexuals.
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