View Full Version : Army kicking out decorated Green Beret who stood up for Afghan rape victim
Bleed Green
08-20-2015, 21:02
If I am out of line somebody feel free to back hand me, but this truly pisses me off to the point where I wish I could run into whoever was on this man's board and show them the blunt side of a 2x4. All I can say is that if half of this is true he should have shot the SOB and gotten a medal for it to boot IMHO. Somewhere in Hamm, Luxembourg George Smith Patton rolls in his grave.
EXCLUSIVE: The U.S. Army is kicking out a decorated Green Beret after an 11-year Special Forces career, after he got in trouble for shoving an Afghan police commander accused of raping a boy and beating up his mother when she reported the incident.
The case of Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland now has the attention of Congress, with Rep. Duncan Hunter writing to Defense Secretary Ash Carter challenging the decision.
"I am once again dismayed by the Army's actions in this case," Hunter, R-Calif., wrote in a letter to Carter.
Martland is described by many of his teammates as the finest soldier they have ever served alongside.
But his Army career changed course during his second deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. After learning an Afghan boy was raped and his mother beaten, Martland and his team leader confronted a local police commander they had trained, armed and paid with U.S. taxpayer dollars. When the man laughed off the incident, they physically confronted him.
They were punished by the Army at the time -- but why exactly Martland is now being discharged is a matter of dispute. Army sources cited his accolades, including being named runner-up for 2014 Special Warfare Training Group Instructor of the Year from a pool of 400 senior leaders in Special Forces, in questioning the decision.
As for the incident in 2011, Hunter told Carter: "To intervene was a moral decision, and SFC Martland and his Special Forces team felt they had no choice but to respond."
Casey, a former Green Beret teammate who would only use his first name since he is now a member of a federal counterterrorism team, told Fox News, "If I was a commander, I would have given him an award. They saved that kid's life."
Martland grew up south of Boston, in Milton, Mass. An all-state football player in high school, he set his sights on playing college football after graduating in 2001. Martland went for the Florida State University team, which just finished a season ranked #4 in the nation.
He made the team, impressing legendary head coach Bobby Bowdon and famed defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews. Still, he often remained on the sidelines. When Pat Tillman, a former NFL football player who volunteered for the Army Rangers, was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, he saw Tillman's sacrifice as motivation to apply for another elite program. Martland dropped out of college and graduated in 2006 from Special Forces Qualification Course, one of the U.S. military's toughest training programs. Over the years he became a jumpmaster, combat diver and sniper.
After a deployment to Iraq in 2008, he deployed to Afghanistan in January 2010 as part of a 12-man unit. He and his team found themselves fighting large numbers of Taliban militants in volatile Kunduz Province.
On one mission, one of their vehicles was struck by an IED, setting off a Taliban ambush. Fox News is told Martland rushed to the scene. He jumped in the turret of a damaged Humvee, exposing himself to enemy bullets while returning fire to help his teammates gather sensitive equipment.
"I thought he was gone, then he comes out of nowhere to save us," said an active-duty Green Beret who requested anonymity.
Martland was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor for his actions. According to one evaluation, he also was "praised" by Gen. David Petraeus, then commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan.
But very quickly, the Green Berets realized they had a problem with many of the Afghans they were training to become local police officers.
"We had been hearing for months about raping in our province, not just in Afghanistan," said Daniel Quinn, a West Point graduate and the team leader of the detachment sent to Kunduz.
One day in early September 2011 at their remote outpost, a young Afghan boy and his Afghan-Uzbek mother showed up at camp. The 12-year-old showed the Green Berets where his hands had been tied. A medic took him to a back room for an examination with an interpreter, who told them the boy had been raped by another commander by the name of Abdul Rahman.
After learning of the meeting, Rahman allegedly beat the boy's mother for reporting the crime. It was at this point, the Green Berets had had enough. Quinn and Martland went to confront Rahman.
"He confessed to the crime and laughed about it, and said it wasn't a big deal. Even when we patiently explained how serious the charge was, he kept laughing," Quinn said.
According to reports of the incident, Quinn and Martland shoved Abdul Rahman to the ground. It was the only way to get their point across, according to Quinn. "As a man, as a father of a young boy myself at the time, I felt obliged to step in to prevent further repeat occurrences," Quinn said.
Rahman walked away bruised from getting shoved and thrown to the ground, but otherwise okay, according to teammates. But Rahman quickly reported the incident to another Army unit in a nearby village. The next day a U.S. Army helicopter landed and took Quinn and Martland away, ending their work in Kunduz Province.
For the next few weeks, both soldiers remained in Afghanistan but were not allowed to continue their mission. They were given temporary jobs in Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan and later in Herat. Pending the outcome of the investigation, both men were relieved from their positions and sent home. Their war was over.
Quinn has since left the Army and started a job on Wall Street.
Martland, though, has been fighting to stay in the Army. In February 2015, the Army conducted a "Qualitative Management Program" review board. His supporters suspect because Martland had a "relief for cause" evaluation in his service record, the U.S. Army ordered Martland to be "involuntary discharged" from the Army by Nov. 1, 2015.
The U.S. Army could not confirm the specifics of Martland's separation from service due to privacy reasons, according to Wayne Hall, an Army spokesman.
Critics point to the Army drawdown as a reason. One former Green Beret said any negative mark on a soldier's record can get them kicked out, given the drawdown.
Martland still has received the highest scores in evaluations since the incident.
"It's sad to think that a child rapist is put above one of our elite military operators. Sergeant Martland was left with no other choice but to intervene in a bad situation. ... The Army should stand up for what's right and should not side with a corrupt Afghan police officer," Hunter told Fox News.
A childhood friend who went on to play in the NFL, Tim Bulman, said of Martland: "You would want him in your corner and protecting our freedom."
FearMonkey
08-20-2015, 21:36
This is truly a travesty. Charles is a stellar Green Beret and asset to the Regiment, military, and nation. If this comes to pass, it will truly be a sad day.
Sign his petition and help fight this injustice!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sfc-charles-martland
Bleed Green
08-20-2015, 22:43
Ditto with an e-mail to Duncan Hunter's office next on my list.
Done, this is an inexcusable travesty... Really??? wow, we, well "they" have stooped to the lowest of lows in morality....
Done!
:mad:Shame on Our government!!!
Holly
1stindoor
08-21-2015, 06:34
Done and forwarded.
It appears that the progressive movement is working diligently to exert classical conditioning on all aspects of the military...it all starts at the top.
SouthernDZ
08-21-2015, 06:42
Done and forwarded.
Golf1echo
08-21-2015, 06:55
Absolutely! Done.
full cooler
08-21-2015, 07:17
Done.
watchful
08-21-2015, 07:29
signed
ddoering
08-21-2015, 13:54
Done!
:mad:Shame on Our government!!!
Holly
I'd say Shame on our military leadership.
Done.
The 2nd Bde Commander of the 205th Afghan Corps raped a young soldier in Qalat in 2006.
The Commander in Kandahar did nothing.
I would have killed him on the spot for raping a young boy.
Bleed Green
08-21-2015, 17:25
Thanks to FearMonkey and a lot of folks here and else where there were 691 people who have signed the petition for SFC Martland. I was 32 last night and am glad the number keeps rising. Fantastic work everybody and I hope to hear back from my Congressmen on this next week.
blacksmoke
08-21-2015, 20:04
WOW:eek: I hope this decision gets overturned. Damn, I left in 2008, looks like sh!# has gone downhill even since then....
FearMonkey
08-21-2015, 20:13
We just broke a 1,000 in 24 hours. Keep pushing. :lifter
We just broke a 1,000 in 24 hours. Keep pushing. :lifter
Number 1,221.
God bless SFC Martland.
Bleed Green
08-21-2015, 23:25
You beat me to the post lady and I gladly yield for news of this sort. Let the snowball gather more momentum.:lifter
What am I missing? How can you RFC an otherwise outstanding NCO simply for pushing down a local national? Given the local national was of some regional/local status but accused of child rape. If soldiers start getting relieved simply for going hands on...then something has gone very wrong on our military culture. There must be more to this story that is not reported in the posted article. It simply doesn't make sense.
Scimitar
08-22-2015, 07:30
I could very well be wrong here, but the good Sergeant (and his ODA commander BTW) receives a Relief for Cause letter due to the confrontation. Case closed.
Years later the the "draw down brigade" the Army's "Qualitative Management Team", is looking for fresh meat to separate, and an RFC on record is good enough.
I'm not sure this is actually a retrial, more just a roll on effect.
Pure conjecture, wiser heads will know more.
S
Dragbag036
08-22-2015, 07:36
Signed!
Bleed Green
08-22-2015, 09:23
1469 and counting. The first halfway mark is in sight.:lifter
Lt. Col. West has gotten in on this as well ...
UNREAL: What Obama’s doing to this Green Beret disgusts me to no end
Written by Allen West on August 22, 2015
Folks, it’s that time again, time to expose a blatant outrage happening in our military. The media are falling all over themselves about the two female Ranger School graduates, but there’s something far more egregious that reflects President Obama’s “fundamentally transformed” military.
A few Saturdays ago, we brought you the story of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Tim White, who faced the dark specter of charges against him after he returned fire with his own private weapon during the Islamic jihadist attack upon his Naval Reserve Center. Your voices and response rang stentorian and forced Navy leadership — who at first denied the claim, then claimed they didn’t rule out charges — to stand down and admit they would not seek charges. Hat tip to you America!
And now from the combat zone of Afghanistan — apparently, President Obama, they didn’t get your email unilaterally declaring the end of combat operations — comes a cause for rallying again.
You may have read my editor-in-chief’s piece on this story the other day; given how personal this story is to me, I am compelled to share my own thoughts as well.
As reported by Fox News:
The U.S. Army is kicking out a decorated Green Beret after an 11-year Special Forces career, after he got in trouble for shoving an Afghan police commander accused of raping a boy and beating up his mother when she reported the incident.
The case of Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland now has the attention of Congress, with my former Marine officer, my former colleague, and friend Rep. Duncan Hunter writing to Defense Secretary Ash Carter challenging the decision.
“I am once again dismayed by the Army’s actions in this case,” Hunter, R-Calif., wrote in a letter to Carter.
Martland is described by many of his teammates as the finest soldier they have ever served alongside.
But his Army career changed course during his second deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. After learning an Afghan boy was raped and his mother beaten, Martland and his team leader confronted a local police commander they had trained, armed and paid with U.S. taxpayer dollars. When the man laughed off the incident, they physically confronted him.
They were punished by the Army at the time — but why exactly Martland is now being discharged is a matter of dispute. Army sources cited his accolades, including being named runner-up for 2014 Special Warfare Training Group Instructor of the Year from a pool of 400 senior leaders in Special Forces, in questioning the decision.
The story about what happened in Afghanistan is very troubling. However, let’s remember the U.S. Marine Corps is about to discharge Maj. Jason Brezler for sending an email with classified information warning Marines in Afghanistan’s Helmand province about an Afghan police officer named Sarwar Jan. Jan was a controversial individual who brought onto the forward operating base (FOB) his personal “tea boy,” Aynoddin, who ended up using Sarwar Jan’s AK-47 to gun down four Marines working out in the FOB gym, killing three.
All of us who’ve been in Afghanistan know the purpose of the “tea boys,” and for our leadership to allow this child abuse, rape and pedophilia is despicable. During my two-and-a-half years in southern Afghanistan training the Afghan army, we had a serious situation where we had to discipline an Afghan Kandak (Battalion) Commander who was forcing young soldiers at gunpoint to engage in sex with him. The story of Sgt. 1st Class Martland conjures up similar strong emotions.
Matland, a former Florida State University football player who dropped out of college, graduated in 2006 from Special Forces Qualification Course, one of the U.S. military’s toughest training programs. Over the years, he became an Airborne jumpmaster, combat diver and sniper.
Here’s a short account of what happened back in 2011.
One day in early September 2011 at their remote outpost, a young Afghan boy and his Afghan-Uzbek mother showed up at camp. The 12-year-old showed the Green Berets where his hands had been tied. A medic took him to a back room for an examination with an interpreter, who told them the boy had been raped by another commander by the name of Abdul Rahman.
After learning of the meeting, Rahman allegedly beat the boy’s mother for reporting the crime. It was at this point, the Green Berets had had enough. Quinn and Martland went to confront Rahman.
“He confessed to the crime and laughed about it, and said it wasn’t a big deal. Even when we patiently explained how serious the charge was, he kept laughing,” Quinn said.
According to reports of the incident, Quinn and Martland shoved Abdul Rahman to the ground. It was the only way to get their point across, according to Quinn. “As a man, as a father of a young boy myself at the time, I felt obliged to step in to prevent further repeat occurrences,” Quinn — the Special Forces A-Team Commander said.
Rahman walked away bruised from getting shoved and thrown to the ground, but otherwise okay, according to teammates. But Rahman quickly reported the incident to another Army unit in a nearby village. The next day a U.S. Army helicopter landed and took Quinn and Martland away, ending their work in Kunduz Province.
For the next few weeks, both soldiers remained in Afghanistan but were not allowed to continue their mission. They were given temporary jobs in Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan and later in Herat. Pending the outcome of the investigation, both men were relieved from their positions and sent home. Their war was over.
Quinn has since left the Army and started a job on Wall Street.
Martland, though, has been fighting to stay in the Army. In February 2015, the Army conducted a “Qualitative Management Program” review board. His supporters suspect because Martland had a “relief for cause” evaluation in his service record, the U.S. Army ordered Martland to be “involuntary discharged” from the Army by Nov. 1, 2015.
The U.S. Army could not confirm the specifics of Martland’s separation from service due to privacy reasons, according to Wayne Hall, an Army spokesman.
Ladies and gents, here’s one of our elite warriors, an Army Green Beret, with several combat tours of duty. He’s a recipient for the Bronze Star for Valor due to his actions in combat. And the Army relieved him of his duty position because he shoved a child rapist, who’d beaten a mother for reporting the heinous assault.
Here’s an Army that’s gone so off the rails under the Obama administration that it would punish two men standing up for a raped little boy and his mom. Where are the child rights advocates and the women’s rights activists? Here’s a soldier that stood up and confronted the real “War on Women,” and, as a result, now has a permanent black mark on his personnel file. Then again, we have two new female Ranger school graduates, so what’s the big deal about kicking out a combat veteran Green Beret?
Could it be the Obama transformed military accepts the perversity of the Afghan male culture? This isn’t a matter of cultural acceptance; raping a child and beating a woman, a mother, is wrong anywhere, anytime. And for the U.S. Army to take the complaint of Abdul Rahman over the bravery and honor of two Green Berets is highly disturbing.
So here’s what we MUST do,. We must once again burn down the phone lines to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. (Know that if it were Secretary of Defense Allen West, these two men would be my officer and enlisted aides.) We need to wear out the email and phone lines of Army Secretary McHugh.
We, the American people, must demand U.S. Army Green Beret SFC Charles Martland not be “involuntarily separated” from the U.S. Army on November 1, 2015. We demand his retention and his personnel records expunged of any negative report related to his actions in defending a little Afghan boy and his mother.
We also demand that SFC Martlan be immediately promoted to Master Sergeant and allowed to continue his impeccable service as an elite Army warrior. We the American people will settle for NOTHING less. Call, email, and let our voices be heard. Let our warriors know we won’t sit idly by and allow them to be cannon fodder for the socially egalitarian Obama military.
I love my Army. But I must admit, this disgusts me to no end, and I’m committed to defending the code of the warrior.
Steadfast and Loyal.
http://allenbwest.com/2015/08/folks-i-need-your-help-to-support-green-beret-fired-for-defending-rape-victim/
Child rape is not uncommon there and SOP by many locals. Yes military today is a paper tiger and run by bean counters and lawyers not a warrior culture anymore.
I am well aware of the man/boy rape culture there. If there was ever a mitigating circumstance for an American's reaction (SF or not SF) to such a repugnant act then I have never heard of a mitigating circumstance. That's why I think there is more to this story than has been reported. I hope its not a continuing culture shift.
Team Sergeant
08-22-2015, 10:45
UNREAL: What Obama’s doing to this Green Beret disgusts me to no end
He did strike a muslim, at least in this country he will be held accountable by Zero.......
Want to bet there would have been no issues had the good Sergeant struck a Christian, or a Hindu..... Think about that for a few seconds.
obama is in fact a muslim and will not tolerate this sort of muslim abuse......
FearMonkey
08-22-2015, 10:48
I could very well be wrong here, but the good Sergeant (and his ODA commander BTW) receives a Relief for Cause letter due to the confrontation. Case closed.
Years later the the "draw down brigade" the Army's "Qualitative Management Team", is looking for fresh meat to separate, and an RFC on record is good enough.
I'm not sure this is actually a retrial, more just a roll on effect.
Pure conjecture, wiser heads will know more.
S
Nailed it on the head.
Team Sergeant
08-22-2015, 10:48
I am well aware of the man/boy rape culture there. If there was ever a mitigating circumstance for an American's reaction (SF or not SF) to such a repugnant act then I have never heard of a mitigating circumstance. That's why I think there is more to this story than has been reported. I hope its not a continuing culture shift.
You mean the entire Middle East, to include Pakistan and a few other sunni muslim countries?
Saudi Arabia still buys and sells little boys as sex slaves. And they are our good friends....
Let's end our sunni relationships, now.
Nonstop24/7
08-22-2015, 12:52
This Soldier should be honored, his record cleaned, and be restored to his SF unit.
I have signed the petition and contacted both my Senators and Congresswoman.
He did his duty, "to liberate the Oppressed.
God help this nation for turning on it's own protectors.
My time in Saudi Arabia it was common practice and is the perverted life of the Sunni apparently
Bleed Green
08-22-2015, 13:07
149 away from 2K. I don't have a Twitter or Facebook account, too easy to use to track me down for those who have been sent away during my watch. Maybe somebody with either could use them to stir the Trump campaign to maybe make mention of this and the petition. If he can draw 30K in AL maybe he can pull in half for that petition.:lifter
PrimalAndrew
08-22-2015, 13:22
Done.
This is truly a travesty. Charles is a stellar Green Beret and asset to the Regiment, military, and nation. If this comes to pass, it will truly be a sad day.
Sign his petition and help fight this injustice!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sfc-charles-martland
Current count is 1972,,
We need more signatures,,
Pls pass this around to your friends..
Done - with the following comment:
"This Green Beret patriot and all-around decent man should be given a medal! He showed great restraint in not putting a bullet between the Afghan rapist SOBs eyes when the SOB started laughing about what he did to the poor boy, IMHO."
Also sent to Donald Trump:
Dear Mr. Trump: Do you think your unique communication style could also be used to reverse the travesty of justice against this patriotic Green Beret, SFC. Charles Martland? If anyone can "get the word out" on what has been happening to this brave man for confronting an Afghan "police" boy-rapist, YOU can!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sfc-charles-martland
frostfire
08-22-2015, 18:24
I would have killed him on the spot for raping a young boy.
...and suffered the same fate of Major Mathew Golsteyn
Just passed 2,500 signatures.
It has also been brought to the attention of PA Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick's office. :D
Is there any evidence that online petitions have any effect at all?
You've got a phone and a pen, you know. ;)
Pat
2600 signatures as of 00.01 EDT.
...and suffered the same fate of Major Mathew GolsteynI'm a civilian nowadays...;)
I would've E&E'd back to the USA and laid up low somewhere.:D
Bleed Green
08-23-2015, 01:57
Is there any evidence that online petitions have any effect at all?
You've got a phone and a pen, you know. ;)
Pat
That is a good question Pat and one that I am not sure there is a solid answer to. IMHO they can't hurt, especially if you can throw a lot of voices in a short time at a problem. If nothing else it does make a statement to SFC Martland on the kind of support he has from people that he will never meet, but were moved by this injustice. 2800 signed and 200 to go as of 1:57AM my time. :lifter
Edited to include:
And now at 6:37 it stands at 3077. Outstanding effort and I will keep praying it makes a difference.
Edited again:
It jumped almost 100 in the time it took me to type my last. Maybe pinging the Trump folks is starting to pay off.
Last edit I promise:
4515 at 7:15. PHENOMINAL!!! Something is paying off in a big way.
Bleed Green
08-23-2015, 08:02
The petition just popped 6000!!! Amazing is all that I can say after watching this develop all night. :lifter:lifter:lifter
Is there any evidence that online petitions have any effect at all?
You've got a phone and a pen, you know. ;)
Pat
From the petition's page:
Once we reach our goal of 3,000 this petition will be forwarded to the office of Congressman Duncan Hunter so he may leverage the voice of America for this cause!
Visit Congressman Hunter's page and voice your support for this cause https://www.facebook.com/DuncanHunter?fref=ts
The web-site also has a 'Success Stories' page:
http://www.ipetitions.com/success-stories
From many of the comments made on the petition's page, I don't think many of the respondents understand that SFC Martland has already been 'punished' for his actions and is now caught up in a bureaucratic blanket QMP process made more impersonal and less accomodating with the planned RIFs.
I signed the petition on principle, but it bothers me that such an action is necessary to gain the attention of the bureaucracy's 'leadership' and the current QMP process seems to lack a valid quality control mechanism to catch something like this and automatically review it for an exception to policy consideration.
Richard
A friend is posting the website info to a very large Marine webring...should yield some good results.
Over 13,000 signatures, that's over 11K in 24hrs!!
Bleed Green
08-23-2015, 21:56
I awoke tonight to 15,000 and am still speechless. I hope Duncan Hunter takes note of how rapidly that happened and presents it to SFC Martland's chain soon. Kudos to FM for posting that link! :lifter:lifter
NurseTim
08-23-2015, 23:13
Signed. Prayers for justice.
Scimitar
08-24-2015, 01:57
I spoke with a friend who's involved with these things, and this is what he told me re: political representative maths.
Each Email = 10 Voters
Each Phone Call = 50 Voters
Each Letter = 100 Voters
Each Visit = 500 Voters
15,000 signatures = 150,000 constituents?
The key is to get it in front of as many representatives, who can leverage its for their campaign or for a political agenda.
S
Utah Bob
08-24-2015, 14:26
Done
spherojon
08-24-2015, 14:55
Signed and shared.
tom kelly
08-24-2015, 15:20
SIGNED & CONTRIBUTION MADE. Tom Kelly
Roguish Lawyer
08-24-2015, 18:14
I would also suggest bringing your concerns to the Senate/House Armed Services Committee. They control the money and I believe the military higher ups will pay attention to them.:rolleyes:
Dan
Dan, please read the rules and follow them before posting again. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation.
Hopefully it goes viral.
Well, while I was cooking dinner, I think I heard CPT Quinn on Megyn Kelly's program explaining the incident. I did see Hunter on the show, though. I don't think that Hunter needed a petition to spur him to action. Some things just need to be done!
Pat
CloseDanger
08-25-2015, 00:32
Yes, the case is on Fox now.
Marvin Blank
08-25-2015, 13:55
Deleted.
Badger52
08-26-2015, 18:13
Wanted to snag before it's replaced with the latest politico-misstep...
A decorated Green Beret being forced out of the military in a matter of months was taken to task in 2011 by a top Army general for confronting an accused Afghan rapist, according to an official reprimand obtained by Fox News – bolstering claims he is being discharged over the incident.
Fox News first reported last week that Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland is being kicked out, and that his supporters suspect it is because of his actions standing up for a young Afghan rape victim. This has outraged his colleagues, as well as Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who calls it a “black mark” for the U.S. Army and wants Defense Secretary Ash Carter to reverse the decision.
The October 2011 “memorandum of reprimand” obtained by Fox News indeed makes clear that Martland was blasted by the brass for his intervention after the alleged rape.
In the memo, Brig. Gen. Christopher Haas, then-commander of Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command Afghanistan, accused Martland and his Green Beret team leader of a “flagrant departure from the integrity, professionalism and even-tempered leadership” expected of Special Forces soldiers.
“Your behavior is inexcusable and incompatible with the high standards of performance, military discipline and operational readiness of Special Forces,” the memo states.
This, because Martland and Capt. Daniel Quinn shoved an Afghan local police commander, Abdul Rahman, after an investigation implicated him in the rape of a 12-year-old Afghan boy.
The boy allegedly had been assaulted for days while chained to a bed. Quinn and Martland confronted Rahman after learning he also allegedly beat the boy’s mother for reporting the crime. Rahman apparently confessed but then “laughed about it,” after which the Green Berets reportedly shoved him to the ground.
Another witness has since come forward defending the Green Berets’ actions.
The witness, a cultural adviser and linguist who was in Kunduz, Afghanistan, where the incident took place, told Fox News that Rahman faked his injuries after the confrontation with the Americans.
“Everything is a lie. He only had a minor scratch,” said the linguist, who asked to remain anonymous.
Martland is an 11-year Green Beret veteran of three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The linguist said the Americans were the mother’s “last hope” as she couldn’t go to the local authorities.
“The mother was persuaded to go to the Green Beret base to seek American help,” the source said.
He said the provincial police chief even sided with the Green Berets in the incident, and was “furious” when he learned the Army sent Martland and Quinn home from Afghanistan.
The linguist said the Kunduz provincial governor liked the Green Berets and was sorry to see them go.
When asked why Rahman was never arrested, despite the Afghans taking the side of the Americans, the linguist called it a “politically sensitive” situation since Rahman was Uzbek.
“To put Abdul Rahman in jail would mean a lot of chaos. It would send a bad signal to [the] Uzbek community because of the conflicting political loyalties,” he said.
In February 2015, the Army conducted a "Qualitative Management Program" review board. Martland’s supporters suspect because Martland had a "relief for cause" evaluation in his service record, the U.S. Army ordered Martland to be "involuntary discharged" by Nov. 1, 2015. Martland has since been fighting to stay in the Army.
When asked about Gen. Haas’ memo, the U.S. Army did not return a request for comment. Reached for comment last week, an Army spokesman could not confirm the specifics of Martland's separation from service due to privacy reasons.
When Fox News read aloud the 2011 reprimand memo about the incident claiming the Green Berets lacked “integrity,” the linguist expressed shock.
“That is bulls---,” he said.
Hunter says the “incident that was seriously misrepresented by Army leadership, without even taking into account the moral necessity to intervene—is now the determining factor in SFC Martland’s career.”
Current link (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/26/memo-shows-green-beret-fighting-to-stay-in-army-was-severely-reprimanded-for/?intcmp=hplnws)
:rolleyes:
Wow, Haas huh....didn't think he'd turn out that way...wow.
Wow, Haas huh....didn't think he'd turn out that way...wow.
Yes he has, and so do many of them. This GOMR from Hass doesn't surprise me.
The Reaper
08-27-2015, 09:27
How many of our senior leaders, officer or enlisted, would sacrifice their careers to ensure justice for one of their soldiers?
TR
How many of our senior leaders, officer or enlisted, would sacrifice their careers to ensure justice for one of their soldiers?
TR
Or, how many of our senior leaders, officer or enlisted, would sacrifice justice and the careers of one of their soldiers to ensure their promotion?
The language in that LOR reads to me like the type we used to receive on occasion as an official sort of @$$ chewing to molify the senior CofC that action had been taken at unit level to prevent it from going any further. It was usually done to protect and keep a good soldier, and often had a suspense clause placing it in your temp OMPF so that it would be removed after a specified period of time if no further instances of 'questionable' judgment/behavior occurred.
I guess that doesn't apply anymore in today's environment. Sad. :(
And so it goes...
Richard
Bleed Green
08-28-2015, 11:20
I just received a call from a representative in my Congressman's office. Nice lady who is the daughter of a QP and she took this to heart. She wanted to inform me that she presented my e-mail to the Congressman so he could read it and she emphasized the multiple use of honor and integrity and he was moved. Duncan Hunter is sending a letter to be signed by every member of Congress seeking redress from the Army on behalf of SFC Martland. She kind of alluded to the fact that SFC Martland has not signed a release which is keeping the Army from discussing a lot of what has been done, Privacy Act violations should be the least of their concerns IMHO, but they are reviewing everything that has been done in this case. She was oblivious to that petition that was started and she said she will be bringing that up to the Congressman as well. I told he to make sure to look at the commentary as I was shocked to see there were people from Asia and Europe signing this thing because they understand that honor, integrity and De Oppresso Liber are concepts that are just as relevant today as they have always been.:lifter:lifter:lifter
Badger52
08-28-2015, 13:11
I just received a call from a representative in my Congressman's office. ...Nice job - human to human legislative contacts can have some awesome effects that webmails never will.
Tennessee Boy
08-31-2015, 16:51
Done. 18027 signatures on the petition so far.
drivfast
09-08-2015, 16:18
signed. SFC Martland, we got your six
How many of our senior leaders, officer or enlisted, would sacrifice their careers to ensure justice for one of their soldiers?
TR
That is the question of the day, and it extends beyond preserving the careers of their soldiers into the realm of preserving what is best for the Regiment. We shall see.
The Reaper
09-08-2015, 19:48
Indeed.
Who was the last leader to do that?
Can anyone name one? I had a battalion commander do that in 1987 and he retired as an LTC.
Anyone know of a GO falling on his sword to protect a subordinate?
TR
Indeed.
Who was the last leader to do that?
Can anyone name one? I had a battalion commander do that in 1987 and he retired as an LTC.
Anyone know of a GO falling on his sword to protect a subordinate?
TR
Did come across this tidbit today while doing some reading. Few and far between they are I'm afraid.
Indeed.
Who was the last leader to do that?
Can anyone name one? I had a battalion commander do that in 1987 and he retired as an LTC.
Anyone know of a GO falling on his sword to protect a subordinate?
TR
I know of MG Reeder protecting a 3rd Grp NCO when he was 2/3 BC. Not fallen on his sword, but he protected his men. I call that the same thing today.
RCummings
09-20-2015, 20:22
I had no idea that this behavior is normal for the region. Are these the type of people that the United States of America sacrifices our sons and daughters for? Since this appears to be a "normal" environment for our SSM&A in this region what hope is there? Have we stripped the honor and integrity from the troops? Are cowards and deviants in charge of the troops on the ground?
U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Afghan Allies’ Abuse of Boys
KABUL, Afghanistan — In his last phone call home, Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr. told his father what was troubling him: From his bunk in southern Afghanistan, he could hear Afghan police officers sexually abusing boys they had brought to the base.
“At night we can hear them screaming, but we’re not allowed to do anything about it,” the Marine’s father, Gregory Buckley Sr., recalled his son telling him before he was shot to death at the base in 2012. He urged his son to tell his superiors. “My son said that his officers told him to look the other way because it’s their culture.”
Link to article,
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/asia/us-soldiers-told-to-ignore-afghan-allies-abuse-of-boys.html?_r=1
Badger52
09-20-2015, 20:28
So much for US law regarding the suborning of human trafficking and a zillion Powerpoint mandatory briefing slides.
:rolleyes:
Team Sergeant
09-21-2015, 08:47
I had no idea that this behavior is normal for the region. Are these the type of people that the United States of America sacrifices our sons and daughters for? Since this appears to be a "normal" environment for our SSM&A in this region what hope is there? Have we stripped the honor and integrity from the troops? Are cowards and deviants in charge of the troops on the ground?
U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore Afghan Allies’ Abuse of Boys
KABUL, Afghanistan — In his last phone call home, Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr. told his father what was troubling him: From his bunk in southern Afghanistan, he could hear Afghan police officers sexually abusing boys they had brought to the base.
“At night we can hear them screaming, but we’re not allowed to do anything about it,” the Marine’s father, Gregory Buckley Sr., recalled his son telling him before he was shot to death at the base in 2012. He urged his son to tell his superiors. “My son said that his officers told him to look the other way because it’s their culture.”
Link to article,
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/asia/us-soldiers-told-to-ignore-afghan-allies-abuse-of-boys.html?_r=1
Not normal to the region but very normal to islamic followers.
Google Saudi Human trafficking or Saudi sex slaves. It's very sunni muslim to rape little boys.
Kissing Arab girls must be icky...
Not normal to the region but very normal to islamic followers.
Google Saudi Human trafficking or Saudi sex slaves. It's very sunni muslim to rape little boys.
Maybe it's because on the whole they lack access to technology and appropriate computer based sexual assault prevention training. :confused:
Not normal to the region but very normal to islamic followers.
Google Saudi Human trafficking or Saudi sex slaves. It's very sunni muslim to rape little boys.
So that's why Subway's Jared wasn't invited to the White House .... He only likes little girls.
:munchin
Badger52
09-21-2015, 13:53
Maybe it's because on the whole they lack access to technology and appropriate computer based sexual assault prevention training. :confused:I thought the Harf-mouth down at Foggy Bottom said it was more nuanced than that & really just about jobs... or is that only when they graduate to murdering people?
Regardless, Army senior leadership has largely become an oxymoron. This shit should've been solved with a phone call a long time ago.
:mad:
So a shit stirring, activist family sends their kid to school with a half-assed clock partially disassembled and jammed into a shitty lunchbox sized suitcase for no reason other than to expose it to his teacher, and he is invited to the White House within a matter of hours...
...a man of honor travels to a foreign land to serve the downtrodden, to help defend those that cannot defend themselves, and to ensure that children aren't used like a payday activity by an immoral, corrupt government official, and suddenly, NOOOOO-BODY in the CinC's office can hear the phone ringing
...NOOOOO-Body in a position of power can find the Twitter feed to post "Hey Martland, hows about you cruise up to DC for a cup of coffee so we can talk about that child molesting Afghan swine that you took a hack at"
*** cricket - cricket - cricket ***
Can you hear that?
...its call a thundering silence
RCummings
09-21-2015, 16:22
I doubt Mr. Martland would drink with anyone in DC, he has shown he is cut from a different cloth.
craigepo
09-24-2015, 07:46
Maybe the butt-kicking wasn't totally wasted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/24/world/asia/ashraf-ghani-afghan-president-vows-to-crack-down-on-abuse-of-boys.html?emc=edit_th_20150924&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=36208421&_r=0
Here is a chain letter for you to send out to your elected Official... I would say, use this as your base and add your own words were you see FIT!!
YOUR ELECTED OFFICAL NAME HERE, I am writing to express my outrage and concern over the Army’s latest failure. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Charles Martland, a fellow Green Beret, is guilty of nothing more than assaulting an Afghan child molester and going to the aid of an Afghan mother. When we went into Afghanistan in 2001 it was to take revenge for the attacks of September 11th and to free a people from the horrific oppressions of a tyrannical regime, and have been continuing to do so to date. I know I was a part of this, and I am honored to count myself among the few that can call themselves Green Berets.
What the Army is doing is completely wrong and this is clearly a top down command and leadership problem. The problem started with SFC Martland’s Chain in Command in Afghanistan (At every level in Country), leading back to Fort Lewis, to the Department of Army, Department of Defense to the Commander and Chief and there is no excuse for this. I and disgusted at how SFC Martland is being treated! The Government of United States and the U.S. Military has known for a decade about the disgusting practices of “Bachi Bazzi”, forcing a boy to dress as girl, dancing and having sex with them. My issue with this has been how at every level within the Chain of Command of U.S. Forces ISAF to NATO Forces ISAF HQ Command, has not worked to stop this. Yet will punish individuals, such as SFC Martland, for NOT allowing this practice to continue. No doubt military leaders selected the Afghan official in question to be a police officer and we trained this disgusting waste of life. So, America is at fault for this and that means the Elected Officials of America’s Congress and Senate are at fault too.
Just as SFC Martland’s events, main others have happen in Afghanistan under the watchful eye of the U.S. Military. Our U.S. Military Commanders should have been using the Military Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) in Afghanistan to educate the Afghanis of how they are failing their citizens in their actions. Not only have we, the U.S. Government and Military, failed the men, women, and children of Afghanistan, we have failed our men and women in uniform. SFC Martland is being tossed out for taking a moral stand against an injustice. The Army loves to preach its values and yet when those same values violate some disgusting waste of life child pedophile in Afghanistan from raping and abusing little boys a fellow Green Beret suffers. There is NO EXCUSS for this reality and I want to see if you, as my elected official, are the man you claim to be and deserve to command our men and women in uniform. Are you willing to stand up and say something or are you just another politician?
Below is an excerpt from an Army Publication, Cultural and Situational Understanding (or ATP 3-24.3), that was being used as a point of reference for customs such as “Bachi Bazzi” in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, to educate Army Leaders. Yet after six weeks, was removed from the Army Publication site, the officials at US Army’s Combined Arms Center (CAC) released their official reason as being the plagiarism. Here is one paragraph used for Army Leaders that speaks out to me. For me, I would really ask when did the Department of Army receive SFC Martland's appeal for his Army's Qualitative Service Program, or QSP, notice?
“2-25. U.S. personnel should develop a tolerance for deviations from accepted norms. Events or activities that may seem extraordinary to newcomers may be common practice in the host-nation culture. U.S. personnel should be aware that members of the foreign culture may be astounded by that which is commonplace in the U.S. Counterinsurgents should carefully observe seemingly peculiar behavior before making judgments about it.”
It is my hope that you will take up this mantle and stand with SFC Martland and demand that the Army answer for this gross miscarriage of justice. After all are we not there to free the Afghan people so they do not have to fear their children being raped and abused. Why is Secretary Carter and Secretary McHugh remaining silent to this matter? Take the lead PLACE YOU ELECTED OFFICAL NAME HERE, be a Leader now. Our Brother, SFC Martland, and brothers and sisters in Arms need to see a leader that wants to lead them and will stand with them for the moral good. SFC Martland does not deserve to be thrown out of the Army over doing what was right and within the ethics and values of the U.S.Army and U.S. Military.
You don't know your states reps email addy's, well just lookie here:
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
If your on any Social Media, I say share it with your friends, with the link for the state reps.
Bleed Green
09-28-2015, 11:42
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/09/28/green-beret-discharged-for-shoving-accused-afghan-rapist/?intcmp=hpbt3
An update that I just saw today.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/09/28/green-beret-discharged-for-shoving-accused-afghan-rapist/?intcmp=hpbt3
An update that I just saw today.
"Martland said he and Quinn then confronted the commander after Quinn confirmed the allegations with village elders and others. He said Quinn got a "first-hand confession" but "the child rapist laughed it off and referenced that it was only a boy."
That's when the confrontation turned physical.
"Captain Quinn picked him up and threw him," Martland said. "I [proceeded to] body slam him multiple times."
Martland continued: "I kicked him once in his ribcage after one of the body slams. I put my foot on his neck and yelled at him after one body slam, but did not kick or punch him in the face. I continued to body slam him and throw him for 50 meters until he was outside the camp."
Quinn said, "I physically threw him through our front gate and off our camp."
Martland, though, disputed allegations the confrontation was more severe.
"He was never knocked out, and he ran away from our camp. It did not last longer than 5 minutes. The child rapist's allegations against us are ridiculous," he said."
THANK GOD for Special Forces Soldiers!!!:lifter
You are the bravest of the brave Sir's!!!
May there be No Mercy for these wicked Islamic pedophile's, and only the Wrath!:mad:
Holly
Well I hope the Brotherhood takes care, VERY WELL, of SFC Charles Martland once he is out. I hope he has job offers lined up right now.
...so
Just to reinforce my understanding of culture math as it relates to tactical and strategic success
US Army Soldier responds to reports by those oppressed that they are in fact being oppressed...
...people in Konduz say the police and government are worse than the taliban
...initiate some good old fashioned "De Oppresso Liber" operations on the oppressors
...those who free the oppressed are disciplined, reinforcing the legitimacy of the corrupt and oppressive regime
...locals that have already stated the Taliban was preferred over the current police and government welcome the Taliban back in with open arms
...Konduz falls to the Taliban
Now I understand.
I just misunderstood the motto.
Not sure what Sgt. First Class Martland wants for himself at this point but hopefully he will have the choices he deserves.
CONGRESS INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO REINSTATE GREEN BERET WHO STOPPED CHILD RAPE IN IRAQ
Republican Reps. Vern Buchanan and Duncan Hunter are now trying to not only stop him from being discharged on November 1st, but commended for what he did!
To make matters more complex, the congressman are suggesting the Afghan officer exaggerated or faked the injuries he sustained.
http://americanmilitarynews.com/2015/10/congress-introduces-legislation-to-reinstate-green-beret-who-stopped-child-rape-in-iraq/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork
And so it goes...
Richard
Army Secretary Delays Separation of Green Beret Who Beat Up Afghan Commander
ArmyTimes, 6 Oct 2015
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2015/10/06/army-secretary-delays-separation-green-beret-who-beat-up-afghan-commander/73483506/
full cooler
10-06-2015, 18:34
HASC Chairman is asking Secretary of the Army to allow time for appeal.
http://armedservicesforms.house.gov/news/email/show.aspx?ID=Z5MPA3CVK5FYYZ6QTUKSXQL2UI
Badger52
10-06-2015, 19:20
From the Army Times' article:
That board, made up of a brigadier general and a handful of Special Forces sergeants major, "selected Sgt. Martland for separation based on those files, which were, in turn, based on the information that the commanders in Afghanistan entered into those files," McHugh said.
I am curious if someone has come forth to specifically own what they said 4 years ago.
(or should that be in pink font?)
Maybe the HRC list (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49652) was in error...
Jeebers.
Guys, the problem is that CDR's and Senior Enlisted were using GOMORs (General Officer Memorandums of Reprimand) as a tool to cover their ass; and, at times to protect the troop, (rarely, but I have seen it). We've all seen instances where someone did something and they were given a GOMOR to prevent blowback in the future and to protect the Command's ass. At times, I have seen them used to protect the troop.
The current problem with this approach is that in eight freakin' years Obama has not put out even ONE budget. We are running on continuing resolutions. They are getting harder and harder to fund. Politics rules the day. The Army HAS to cut from the wartime personnel high to meet budget.
You cannot rely on attrition alone to meet the cut goals. Therefore, HRC is opening files and initiating a QMP. What heretofore was "no big deal" has become fatal. If you have to cut the force you are going to cut those with any sort of infraction in their record. Doesn't matter if it was "legit" on non-"legit".
The predicate then falls back to the RATIONALE for issuance of the GOMOR....I.E., LEADERSHIP. IIRC, BG Haas was the initiator of the GOMOR that started all this for the guys. He has been a severe disappointment to the Regiment. I know of a handful of folks that had their careers ruined by this guy. Anything to cover his ass and protect his career climb.
Until we get honorable leadership back into the higher ranks of the military, we will continue to kick good guys out; spend inordinate amounts of money to get women through Ranger school; women into SEALs and Trannies into the ranks.
Unfortunately, our current leadership from anyone wearing stars is simply to put their nose to the ass of the current politician du jour and remark at how wonderful their farts smell.
My congressman happened to be on a local radio call in show today and I was his first caller. I gave him an earful as to what was happening to SFC Martland, it helped that the radio host was up to speed on the situation and also gave the congressman some background on this issue. What is sad is the fact that this was the first time he had been made aware of it, which tells me there are a lot of other house members that may not be aware of what is going on. I gather we have a 60 day window to make some noise. Please take a moment to contact your representative in numbers there is strength.
Were I SFC Martland, I would have absolutely ZERO interest in returning to an organization that so completely abandoned me when I really needed some support.
Martland didn't get thrown out for thumping on an Afghan that deserved it, he got thrown out because an SF General Officer filed the GOMOR in his official file. Had this been in his local file, we wouldn't be talking about it...but the Afghans still would be. Martland's removal from the force and us turning a blind eye to this stuff only serves to condone this behavior in the eyes of the guys that do it, pure and simple.
Guys, it sure ain't what it used to be..... As an E-5 many moons ago, I got caught up in something that would lead to a public flogging in SF today. My Co CDR issued a couple letters of reprimand and a little candid mentorship and we drove on. For you guys that are still in, all I can say is doing the right thing is never wrong...but watch your back.
Bleed Green
10-09-2015, 09:24
For you guys that are still in, all I can say is doing the right thing is never wrong...but watch your back.
I am thinking that in today's climate if there are stars on the collar it would be best to never turn your back on them no matter what uniform they wear.
What is right isn't always popular!
What is popular isn't always right!
Personally, I like to err on the side of being right all the time...regardless of the consequences. Sometimes it's a painful experience, but I sleep well at night knowing that I stayed true to what I felt was right.
Guys, the problem is... our current leadership from anyone wearing stars is simply to put their nose to the ass of the current politician du jour and remark at how wonderful their farts smell.
I guess nobody studies great leaders anymore. :confused:
"There is a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom to the top. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary and much less prevalent. One of the most frequently noted characteristics of great men who have remained great is loyalty to their subordinates."
G. S. Patton, War As I Knew It (1947)
Richard
General Sir Charles Napier knew how to deal with local customs when he learned of the Hindu religion that widows were burned alive with the bodies on the funeral pyre:
"Be it so. This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive we hang them, and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs."
History Of General Sir Charles Napier's Administration Of Scinde. -- William Napier. (1851)
Pat
miclo18d
10-09-2015, 17:18
I guess nobody studies great leaders anymore. :confused:
"There is a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom to the top. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary and much less prevalent. One of the most frequently noted characteristics of great men who have remained great is loyalty to their subordinates."
G. S. Patton, War As I Knew It (1947)
Richard
Loyalty is a 2 way street. Many only drive one way. Mostly those on top, but some from the bottom. I like that we speak true to life o these boards. Sometimes those that we gave our loyalties to early in their careers, surprise us most when they become yes men cow towing to political pressures later in their career.
the squid
10-10-2015, 05:33
Loyalty is a 2 way street. Many only drive one way. Mostly those on top, but some from the bottom. I like that we speak true to life o these boards. Sometimes those that we gave our loyalties to early in their careers, surprise us most when they become yes men cow towing to political pressures later in their career.
I had a Battalion Commander who told me once that our loyalty as leaders lied with the organization and not the men. I still can't figure out how the two are mutually exclusive.
I think that was his way of justifying a paint by numbers approach when it came do discipline - instead of treating unique situations uniquely.
If your commander demands loyalty, give him integrity. If he demands integrity, give him loyalty.
miclo18d
10-10-2015, 06:54
I had a Battalion Commander who told me once that our loyalty as leaders lied with the organization and not the men. I still can't figure out how the two are mutually exclusive.
I think that was his way of justifying a paint by numbers approach when it came do discipline - instead of treating unique situations uniquely.
While in, I always felt I could trust my CoC up to Bn, for sure and I think the way I look at every job is MISSION, MEN, ME. The mission (or unit is first), then taking care of your troops, then worry about yourself. Seems like that dynamic has been forgotten by many.
I never knew many at group level. I did hear and see things that bothered me from Reeder(as 7th Grp Cdr) and even Cleveland (as SOCSOUTH ADC) <----- That one REALLY surprised me as I had heard so many great things about him as 10th Grp Cdr. I always steered clear of them.
I retired before Kraft was Grp Cdr but I really liked him as CTF-73 when my company was attached to his Bn in AFG. I hope he stayed true.
I certainly feel that if you screw up, you take responsibility for it. Commanders should make the punishment fit the crime. I've had Art15 dropped in my local and disappear. I've requested a FG to my CoC for 3 soldiers that disobeyed the Bn Cdrs Direct Orders, they betrayed the trust and lied about it. FG Art15 and released from Rgr Batt. To me they broke Rogers rules of Ranging, never lie to a fellow ranger or officer. Certainly didn't think they should be dropped from the military.
I started the Q-Course with one of those fellows, he seemed no worse for wear and had done good for himself.
the squid
10-10-2015, 08:03
While in, I always felt I could trust my CoC up to Bn, for sure and I think the way I look at every job is MISSION, MEN, ME. The mission (or unit is first), then taking care of your troops, then worry about yourself. Seems like that dynamic has been forgotten by many.
I never knew many at group level. I did hear and see things that bothered me from Reeder(as 7th Grp Cdr) and even Cleveland (as SOCSOUTH ADC) <----- That one REALLY surprised me as I had heard so many great things about him as 10th Grp Cdr. I always steered clear of them.
I retired before Kraft was Grp Cdr but I really liked him as CTF-73 when my company was attached to his Bn in AFG. I hope he stayed true.
I certainly feel that if you screw up, you take responsibility for it. Commanders should make the punishment fit the crime. I've had Art15 dropped in my local and disappear. I've requested a FG to my CoC for 3 soldiers that disobeyed the Bn Cdrs Direct Orders, they betrayed the trust and lied about it. FG Art15 and released from Rgr Batt. To me they broke Rogers rules of Ranging, never lie to a fellow ranger or officer. Certainly didn't think they should be dropped from the military.
I started the Q-Course with one of those fellows, he seemed no worse for wear and had done good for himself.
Absolutely agree with all.
That guy in particular was a good boss to work for. Definately an approachable leader who was willing to accept push back. He wasn't toxic by any means - it seemed so many of the decisions he made were made with regard to how he felt they would be perceived by his boss. A CYA if you will.
I'm speaking specifically to an adultery case I had to make adjudication reccomendations on. At the time I think I was fond of him from having had a previous relationship with him and wanted to go to bat for him to mitigate the fall out. In hindsight - what he did was slimy and perhaps my efforts were best utilized elsewhere. But then again his actions had zero effect on unit integrity or discipline. It was just a soon to be ex wife and her final parting shot. Good performance at work does not excuse horrible decision making off duty, I suppose. If it were a one size fits all approach we wouldn't need leaders to make circumstance based decisions.
Good question.
None So Brave
Why is a Green Beret who confronted a violent child sex predator involuntarily discharged from the military?
“De Oppresso Liber”
(To Liberate the Oppressed)
~~Motto of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
A poignant Afghan proverb declares, “Cowards cause harm to brave men.”
This ancient Pashtun adage reflects the shocking true life story of U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Charles Martland...
... Since when is a highly decorated Green Beret who confronts a violent child sex predator and trafficker and woman beater, punished and involuntarily discharge from the military? Is this the new politically correct ethic dominating deployments in foreign lands.
What happened to the greatest military and force for moral good on the face of the planet? Isn’t Martland carrying out the very anti human trafficking policies promulgated by the Obama Administration?
Link (http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/261779/none-so-brave-elizabeth-yore)
SouthernDZ
03-01-2016, 08:44
Justice delayed for Army sergeant who defended Afghan boy from rapist - ...93 members of Congress have called for an investigation into the military's silence in the face of rampant sexual abuse of children in Afghanistan.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/02/29/justice-delayed-for-army-sergeant-who-defended-afghan-boy-from-rapist.html?intcmp=hplnws
Team Sergeant
03-01-2016, 16:52
Justice delayed for Army sergeant who defended Afghan boy from rapist - ...93 members of Congress have called for an investigation into the military's silence in the face of rampant sexual abuse of children in Afghanistan.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/02/29/justice-delayed-for-army-sergeant-who-defended-afghan-boy-from-rapist.html?intcmp=hplnws
What about the goats? :munchin
And seriously who cares? Saudi Arabia has been raping children for centuries and still do. sunni muslims say it's ok to rape little Achmed.
Badger52
03-01-2016, 17:21
Justice delayed for Army sergeant who defended Afghan boy from rapist - ...93 members of Congress have called for an investigation into the military's silence in the face of rampant sexual abuse of children in Afghanistan.Frankly, I think TPTB woke up after Biden's remarks at the Oscars; and when those become wrapped up with the fish wrappings & put out in the next Friday's news cycle trash the Army will be back on the road to screwing this fine NCO.
Maybe if someone could get "the Gaga" to call the POTUS...
:rolleyes:
Decision reversed!
In a stunning reversal, the U.S. Army decided late Thursday to retain a decorated Green Beret it had planned to kick out after he physically confronted a local Afghan commander accused of raping a boy over the course of many days.
Sgt 1st Class Charles Martland, confirmed the Army's decision to retain him when reached by Fox News, who has been covering the story in depth for the past eight months and first broke the story of the Army's decision in August to kick out Martland over the incident, which occurred in northern Afghanistan in 2011.
"I am real thankful for being able to continue to serve," said Martland when reached on the telephone by Fox News. "I appreciate everything Congressman Duncan Hunter and his Chief of Staff, Joe Kasper did for me."
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/04/28/army-retains-decorated-green-beret-it-planned-to-kick-out-over-confronting-afghan-child-rapist.html?intcmp=hpbt2
:lifter
Pat
Premsore
04-28-2016, 18:40
Just heard the news so broke out a really good cigar and a glass of 20 year Port! So glad someone showed they weren't a eunuch in supporting SFC Martland.
Ah, a sliver of light.....
Badger52
04-28-2016, 19:12
Outstanding!
Finally justice and vindication for SFC Martland!!
As I said before, after such a thorough screwing and abandonment by the chain of command and SF branch, were I SFC Martland I'd thank my supporters, celebrate with my brothers, then drop my retirement papers.
He's probably got to play nice for a few more years to hit 20, but your definitely right
Old Dog New Trick
04-29-2016, 00:39
As I said before, after such a thorough screwing and abandonment by the chain of command and SF branch, were I SFC Martland I'd thank my supporters, celebrate with my brothers, then drop my reassignment papers.
Fixed that for you. :D (Doesn't he have like 14-years?) 1SG in an Infantry BN sounds better than what command group did for him.
Congrats SFC Martland, I'm happy for you now burn that bridge an move forward.
Fixed that for you. :D (Doesn't he have like 14-years?) 1SG in an Infantry BN sounds better than what command group did for him.
Congrats SFC Martland, I'm happy for you now burn that bridge an move forward.
This, I'd say switch branches and screw SF.. (Sadly)..With the NON support he got from the CoC, I wouldn't stick around..
TrapLine
04-29-2016, 06:02
Great news. I am glad he gets to make the decision on staying or going. He has earned that and much more, IMO.
Golf1echo
04-29-2016, 06:49
Excellent!
I have a sneaky suspicion a fair share of political pressure was applied ;)
Best to SFC Martland, despite the failures others stepped up to make this right.
A just outcome, finally for SFC Martland. However a total disaster all the way around and unnessary angst for him and his family. Sadly this and other past incidents from the GWOT hould serve as a reminder that no matter how much one loves the Army... it doesn't have to love you back.
Team Sergeant
04-29-2016, 09:02
nambla is not happy with the outcome.
Basenshukai
04-29-2016, 11:01
So, now that SFC Martland got the proper outcome, who were the leaders in the chain of command that championed his undoing? It's always amazing how those most responsible for this disaster (WRT public relations, morale, ethics, morality, etc.) are completely unknown to anyone outside. They should be held accountable for such poor vision and judgement.
Utah Bob
04-29-2016, 13:06
So, now that SFC Martland got the proper outcome, who were the leaders in the chain of command that championed his undoing? It's always amazing how those most responsible for this disaster (WRT public relations, morale, ethics, morality, etc.) are completely unknown to anyone outside. They should be held accountable for such poor vision and judgement.
Exactly! Some serious gonad stomping should happen. But most probably won't. Finding accountability these days is about as easy as spotting Bigfoot.
IIRC, wasn't Chris Haas the GO that put the initial GOMAR in his file? That was the genesis of this whole fiasco, I believe.
Yup, just found an excerpt from the GOMAR that was publicized:
“Your behavior is inexcusable and incompatible with the high standards of performance, military discipline, and operational readiness of Special Forces and it is inconsistent with the trust we place in our [Green Berets] to make sensible and sound decisions,” wrote Gen. Haas. “Your misconduct is a discredit to you…the Special Forces community, and the U.S. Army. It cannot and will not be tolerated.”
As I said before, after such a thorough screwing and abandonment by the chain of command and SF branch, were I SFC Martland I'd thank my supporters, celebrate with my brothers, then drop my retirement papers.
Looks like he still has a ways to retirement. According to the Fox News articles, he graduated SFQC in 2006 so if he joined around 2003/2004 he's got some time yet.
The latest Fox article says the ABCMR modified the RFC NCOER but it doesn't say anything about the memorandum of reprimand. That memorandum was written by a GO (BG Haas) so if it's still around, it will carry some weight if they didn't dispose of it along with the adverse NCOER.
All that said, it's good to know there's still some folks around who can make a right decision. I raise my glass to SFC Maitland for having the balls to stand up and do what's right. He's a hero.
Team Sergeant
04-29-2016, 14:53
IIRC, wasn't Chris Haas the GO that put the initial GOMAR in his file? That was the genesis of this whole fiasco, I believe.
Yup, just found an excerpt from the GOMAR that was publicized:
“Your behavior is inexcusable and incompatible with the high standards of performance, military discipline, and operational readiness of Special Forces and it is inconsistent with the trust we place in our [Green Berets] to make sensible and sound decisions,” wrote Gen. Haas. “Your misconduct is a discredit to you…the Special Forces community, and the U.S. Army. It cannot and will not be tolerated.”
See there's already females in Special Forces! (or at least BG's that identify as such)
Let's see Brigadier General Christopher K. Haas "man-up" and remove that letter of reprimand.......
What am I thinking, this is the new Army, filled with fundamental change, where male confused genders rein and female unicorns are all the rage.
Surf n Turf
04-29-2016, 15:12
Let's see Brigadier General Christopher K. Haas "man-up" and remove that letter of reprimand.......
It was also BG Haas who wrote the memo to Major Jim Gant. Odd coincidence that BG Haas would write up both of these now infamous incidents.
SnT
to quote from a memo by a Brig. Gen. Christopher Haas and sent to Gant in April of 2012:
During your time in command, you purposely and repeatedly endangered the lives of your Soldiers. You taught, and ordered executed, [SIC] unconventional and unsafe ‘figure-8’ immediate actions in response to enemy contact. You painted inappropriate and unauthorized symbols on Government vehicles, painted the symbol on your vehicle a different color, then challenged the enemy to try and kill you without consideration to your Service Members’ lives or well being. [SIC] You sent ‘night letters’ to the enemy, further drawing dangerous attention to yourself and subordinates. These are the same Soldiers that you have the duty to properly train, mentor, lead, and most importantly, defend.
http://freebeacon.com/culture/the-devil-and-jim-gant/
I am happy for you SFC. Martland. But now I'd be tempted to tell the military chain-of-command to take a long walk off a short pier for putting me through that BS in the first place!
Basenshukai
04-29-2016, 20:34
It was also BG Haas who wrote the memo to Major Jim Gant. Odd coincidence that BG Haas would write up both of these now infamous incidents.
SnT
Just curious, how many men died while in combat under MAJ Gant's command?
Surf n Turf
04-30-2016, 01:23
Just curious, how many men died while in combat under MAJ Gant's command?
Basenshukai,
The short answer is I don't know. The only reference I can find is from a newsweek article that quoted Gant. himself, so that is clearly not an unbiased source.
SnT
Despite Gant’s successes, he was stripped of his honors, demoted to a captain and forced to retire. The Army made no public announcement. "I never left the battlefield defeated,” Gant told ABC News. “I never lost a man.”
http://www.newsweek.com/report-green-beret-major-forced-resign-after-affair-journalist-afghanistan-356802
Basenshukai
04-30-2016, 03:54
Basenshukai,
The short answer is I don't know. The only reference I can find is from a newsweek article that quoted Gant. himself, so that is clearly not an unbiased source.
SnT
This is the reason I ask. I was over there when Jim Gant was operational and never recall him losing a man. We never even have to evac his guys for any reason that I can recall. I can tell you, however, that quite a few other folks got themselves mauled doing what most would consider every day conventional tactics.