[Jeff Head]

My thoughts on the Colonel West affair.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, my own thoughts on the developing situation with Lt. Colonel West.

[Jeff Head]

Here's the article I mentioned to you.

[Jeff Head]

Mega-Ping?

Colonel West deserves all the condieration and attention we can muster for him. I would pray to God that such a man would lead my own sons in war.

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[JesseHousman]

Big Colonel West bump!

[Sender]

What can we do to help Colonel West now?

[Ronin]

Ditto and bump!!!

The man is a good soldier and the kind of officer our troops deserve.

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

Bump

As I ponder this, I can not help but think to myself how rare good solid O5's and O6's are. After eight years of clinton and I'm sorry to say, the four previous years, I am a bit surprised that there are any "God, Honor, Duty, Country" officers willing to put their men first left above the rank of O3.

Just a thught, more of a private ramble I would suspect, but, bump just the same.

[Jim Noble]

Jeff, in your future history series, victory required that the C-in-C chosen in 2000 be replaced at the head of the 2004 ticket by someone who was a capable war leader who could fight our enemies undeterred by political correctness.

As 2004 draws closer, how does our real C-in-C look to you now, particularly in light of this story?

I know you are praying for him-I am, too-but what's your take on his adequacy in the job?

[Ispy4u]

The following article shows that LTC West Intended to save lives he did not certainly save lives.
Number of Attacks in Iraq Constant, Enemy Tactics Change By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
"The number of attacks fluctuates. The beginning of Maysaw six to 30 attacks each day. The upper number has dropped; in October, the average has fluctuated from the mid-teens to low 20s."

We have on average lost 1-2 soldiers daily but the attacks number from 6 to the low 20s, then it is obvious that not every attack results in lives lost. This proves that LTC West's intentions were in the right place, but to defend his actions based on that is going a bit far.

He obviously does have the courage of his convictions. But you are incorrect when you state "West knew his greater responsibility and he performed it, regardless of personal cost" because his greatest responsibility is to be simultaneously a leader of men and a follower of his leaders. His leaders no doubt have told him in almost uncountable ways not to do what he did. He disregarded those orders entirely. And for that he must be disciplined.

There are many here who will attack me for this reply, but it is not opinion, it is fact. I do not think this man deserves to be thrown out of the Army with a felony conviction and loss of retirement benefits. None of that has happened yet, and I do not think it will. The outrage revolves around the opinion of one JAG officer, who had no choice but to state the charges as they were seen by him. I have confidence that LTC West's chain of command will discipline him in a way that is fair and right.

[JoeGar]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with the West approach. I'm reminded of another highly-publicized interrogation of some terrorists. Our interrogation team was having no success in getting them to talk until we brought in some interrogators dressed like Saudis. (Saudis, I might add, are well-known for their torture techniques.) Once the terrorists saw what they thought were Saudis, they began spilling their guts. Sometimes mere intimidation works.

[Poohbah]

There is a "command climate investigation" underway.

Those investigations get started when multiple folks inside the unit formally express concern up the chain of command regarding the CO's overall conduct.

In other words, there's a LOT more going on than me or thee know about, and this was probably the mildest breach of the rules the investigation team found.

[Jeff Head]

Comments?

[Dante3]

Great post. Let's support West.

[Jeff Head]

Got to be off to work. Will check back in on my lunch break.

[Jeff Head]

FYI.

[B4Ranch]

No vet can ever say that Lt. Col. Allen B. West's thinking was wrong. Maybe the politicians who want to play games with our soldiers lives will, but never a vet who's been in the hot fire.

[snopercod]

Thanks Jeff. I agree completely.

In post #2 of this thread, there is another excellent essay by ayoshida on the issue: I Don’t Believe What I’m Hearing; Has the army got its head up its collective tushie or what?

[Eastbound]

Extra-ordinary warfare demand extra-ordinary field decisions.

[Godfollow]

Here is what we should do to show support for Colonel West...

Hold an internet court of our own, and publicly try the military PC heads that are pushing this court marshal. Include names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mails, and put the White House's feet to the fire if they remain aloof on the issue. Get some true red-blooded military legal beagles to valiantly, and publicly defend this man and the rest of us through in a hearty here-here.