"William D. Swenson is a former captain in the United States Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor on 15 October 2013. He was the first United States Army officer to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, as well as the sixth living recipient in the War on Terror." wiki on Swenson
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A brave fellow. The media people keep referring to this man as being "retired" from the army. He is not. He is a FORMER OFFICER. He resigned from the army and now is seeking to be taken back in again. They will do so even though he had the temerity to criticize the idiotic judgment of his superiors in setting soldiers and marines to defending in that far off valley with completely inadequate resources. The appallingly incompetent planning and actions of many army and marine seniors in the Afghanistan War has been evident.
"Retired" service members are still members of their respective services. They have ID cards that say so. They are subject to recall to active duty until dead. They have access to military facilities on the same basis as active duty members. Some years ago I gave some lectures at a navy service school. My civilian contractor host spoke to me at length about how difficult it would be at the gate because of security concerns, I said nothing and next day surprised ad "spooked" him by simply driving up to the gate with my host in the passenger seat of my rental car. I handed my ID card to the retired marine who was gate guard. He saluted and said " Good morning, colonel." I drove to the academic building and parked. My host said, "just like that? I can't believe it. I struggle to get people in here." He was clearly annoyed. "You people really are a club, aren't you," he said.
Yes, we surely are.
I find the inability of the press to master things like the difference between "retired," and "former" to be annoying and indicative of their lack of seriousness in approaching their work. pl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_D._Swenson
A general rule about the press:
If you know more than a little of the subject of an article, you’ll find errors of various degrees.
Somethin
I’m happy to here that Mr. Swenson was recognized for his actions at Ganjigal today. While I agree it will be beyond belief that the Army takes him back. To me he certainly would be beneficial as an instructor to new officers on their duty to those they lead when a battlefield turns to chaos.
I think Major Donovan’s Rule for the Medal was apt for that day in Ganjigal.
The recent relief of two Marine generals for battleground failures in Afghanistan is the only instance I can recall when the incompetent planning and actions of seniors has been addressed seriously and properly. There should have been a lot more of this. I see the wikipedia article that Swenson’s nomination paperwork for the MOH was “lost, causing a significant delay in the nomination process.” An Army Times report suggested “that Swenson was being punished for loudly criticizing his senior officers (for not sending fire support) in an after-action investigation into the battle.” I would not be at all surprised to learn that a strong desire to see some of his superiors burn in Hell for their incompetence was a factor in Swenson’s decision to resign from the Army.
The competence/real world knowledge of most reporters?
How many:
Have served in the military?
Have ever fired a weapon?
Have worked at any sort of manual/blue collar job?
Have lived in a rural area?
Have been one paycheck away from disaster?
How many media stories that you have first hand knowledge of been even marginally accurate?
Col Lang
My best man in our wedding was active Army then nineteen years ago . I went to see he & his wife last month in Traverse City . He is one of my best friends and it seems his Army career informs all the rest of his life .
Col Lang
My best man in our wedding was active Army then nineteen years ago . I went to see he & his wife last month in Traverse City . He is one of my best friends and it seems his Army career informs all the rest of his life .
The military is one of the few places anymore where this ‘continuity of connection and comradery’ exists. Short term contracts, independent players, people moving out of jobs at a rapid pace…always looking for the next big consulting gig or project. Like one of the politicians at a fundraiser, talking to you and at the same time, looking over your shoulder at the next pigeon.
Private equity hotshots, ‘turnaround’ guys, swoop into the dying media dinosaurs and gut the senior people. They are the most expensive. The hardest, in theory, to bullshit and push around. Then can still recall a time……of 35 year careers and a decent retirement.
Kids abound now…kids that never served in the military. Kids that never covered a local crime beat. Kids that never covered a city council meeting, or a zoning board meeting. That’s a generalization, granted, but I don’t think it far off the mark. And it permeates all professions these days. Hell, you see it in professional sports as well. There are a ton of veterans who have been priced out of the market.
“While I agree it will be beyond belief that the Army takes him back.”
I read this otherwise:
“I can’t imagine that they will not even though he had the temerity to criticize the idiotic judgment of his superiors in setting soldiers and marines to defending in that far off valley with completely inadequate resources.”
My interpretation is, they cannot possibly deny his return, suggesting: if they do they are absolutely wrong.
I only comment since Swenson’s story perfectly fits into a context which made me interested in Pat’s blog. The necessity of an ethical outlook by the higher command–for loss of a better word, power = responsibility?–and the duty of everyone else to object if he considers something wrong beyond the basic rule to obey commands. Especially because of that rule and its necessity.
LeAnder
I can’t imagine that they will not (take him back). Clear now? If he is physically qualified I am sure the army will take him back. I edited the post to avoid this confusion. pl
All:
There was an anti-war movie on this very subject of “setting soldiers and marines to defending in that far off valley”:
“Lions for Lambs”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891527/
Jonst,
You left out the other important part. The kids see anyone with a hint of grey in thier hair as ‘daddy’ and everyone knows dad just doesn’t get it.
Thanks Pat. I didn’t dare to put it exactly like that, maybe since I remember needing a second for the sentence myself, but that’s how I understood you. Can anyone not allow a soldier with a medal of honor back into the army? How exactly would they justify their decision?
Colonel,
There are certain media accounts that imply some type of controversy with Dakota Meyer’s Medal of Honor award.
Any observations?
LeAnder
We do not seem to be communicating well. I told you that they cannot. So long as he is still physically qualified even with medical board waivers they will have to take him back in. I had several comrades on active duty who were missing a leg. pl
Defense Secretary Hagel apologizes to Medal of Honor recipient for delay
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/16/20995910-defense-secretary-hagel-apologizes-to-medal-of-honor-recipient-for-delay?lite=
“The military is one of the few places anymore where this ‘continuity of connection and comradery’ exists.”
I would agree, and it is truly a treasure, but it is not not entirely unique. There is a similar connection among IBM retirees in Tucson AZ.