CSM sentenced for wearing/claiming fake medals. What do you think of his penalty?

SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas That is the part that pains me the most is the family and it is hard to see a person lose so much when we have idiots raping our own veterans.

Well now anyone who wants to retire early knows what stunt to pull to make it happen.

Your wrong I would may them go through 8 weeks of Infantry basic and then get a BCD .

Excellent response. I feel the exact same way. They disgrace all of us publicly with this garbage.

MAJ Carl Ballinger - Sir, with all do respect, your comment is not factual or accurate, senior leaders continue to get treated lighter or have preferential treatment. I can name a few off the top of my head, Brig Gen Sinclair who was having sex with a subordinate officer! General Kidd AFRICOM commander, abused his position, falsified documents, expense paid for a lie. The final one is a Brigade Commander in Germany, Colonel James Johnson III, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, ... an affair with an Iraqi woman, spends some $27,000 on "gifts" for his mistress.

You know what all three have in common? Not one loss their retirement, not one went to jail, not one, had it been an E-7 he/she would of been in jail, reduced to a private, and a dishonorable discharge. The facts again support my statements based on factual data produced monthly by the Army times.

I had a TAC once tell me "perception is reality", my perception is, routinely senior officer have gotten off lightly in comparison to their enlisted counterparts. This is backed up by recent factual evidence properly displayed in military times magazines etc. I can continue giving you examples, but I'm sure you've your mind made up by your perception.

Mount Up!
Rob Skinner

Maj, you're Right? You know what makes me mad, is that it is hard to remain professional, that no matter what evidence you present officers like yourself, you disregard the evidence!

That is why I went into law, and hopefully I get to prosecute every officer that doesn't respect the the law. I feel, I preserve the duty and respect that is expected of a private let alone an officer in the United States Military!

General MacArthur stated Duty, Honor, Country!

In my opinion, Sir, you're part of the problem, and why it continues in today's military and why enlisted men hate officers.

CPT Robert Skinner SGT James LeFebvre You might find it interesting to Google the former Major. Yes, CPT, he WAS part of the problem.

Damn, when they go low, they go really low...

Oh and I might add the guys with major problems as well. One kid who was maybe an A1C was kind of a lost soul. I saw him humiliated but my door in the barracks was always open and I was an E-5. Sometimes you have to listen and not project your opinion and let people resolve their problems with supportive backup when they are most lonely. One aspect of the news media today is a scorched earth policy with destroying further a person already emotionally and esteem-wise broken. When do we start taking responsibility of our own shortcomings rather than beat a dead horse because we can.

No a chest full of medals and badges are not what makes you a great leader, but leading by example, integrity, honor, respect, etc. does. when you wear something on your uniform that you didn't earn like the ones that did is disrespectful, and a downright slap in the face. That is NOT leadership traits.

The big problem with SOME of todays so called leaders if that they feel they have to have more awards than their soldiers and anyone else. I have seen E4s with more awards than some E7s. Dont know why. I never cared to ask. But if they were my Soldier I always checked their ERB. If I had a question I would talk to them directly and in private. No need to cause a problem if I were wrong. Ask for verification. Had a Specialist with 10 (yes 10!) AAMs. I was told to write him up. I asked him for proof and he had it. Had soome angry folks but if they are right they are right. Always check first before jumping off on someone. You may be wrong.

CSMs and SGMs make up roughly 1 to 2 percent of the entire Army. What he did was a total betrayal to those that served under him, he betrayed his family, his oath to Constitutions and the country. Sorry guy and gals, but after serving time, he should walk out of the Army with what he had when he came in, absolutely nothing.

Sir, I have to disagree. As a CSM he was supposed to be of the higest moral character. He failed by wearing unearned awards. I believe he would have slammed any one in his unit if they did the same thing. I think the only thing he is sorry for is that he got caught. He thought, as a CSM, he would not be questioned on what he wore. I am glad he got caught and was punished as he was. The reason I feel that way is because i have seen the senior ranks abuse the system and Soldiers for way to long. I just wish that they catch more of them. They do it because they have the rank and feel that they can do what they want. I have seved with enlisted and officer alike that I had and now have absolutley zero respect for because they were "Do what I say not what I do" type of leaders. We need to look at all of our leaders. I think there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. But it wont be of course. Because of the good ole boy system. And who pays for it? The E6 and below that is who. Just like the LTC and CSM at fort carson who were recommended to be relieved for toxic leadership. And they were put back in command. I am glad I am retired and dont have to deal with it anymore or explain to my soldiers why they are getting screwed and have to be there till midnight when the E7 and above went home or to the club at 1600!

SSG Ronald Rollins, I see your point and I agree for the most part. Since my original post, I have seen lots of people make points similar to yours, and I do agree that all ranks need to be held accountable, including senior NCOs and senior officers. That's the idea of standards: they should be fair across the board.

Sir, Thank you and I agree also that everyone, no matter what rank, has to be accountable. I seem to vent at times and let my anger get ahead of good common sense! I think I need to read over what I type before I post it or sooner or later I will make a fool of myself. You post just made me relize that. Thank you.

It's fun and huggable that we think everyone should be the same, same trophy, same........you get it. I say, No, everyone is not. A private wearing something he shouldn't, should be smoked for a weekend, E3-E4 should get a week extra duty. E5 a month. E6, a stripe. E7-E9, taken out at the knees then dragged back thru it. There is no excuse or reason or magic mystery that can explain away something that undermines the very fabric of the NCO Corps. Congressional social experimentation and political correctness is killing us people. Lets take it back.

Sir, while I never seek to tell you how to go about things, I was simply referring to the fact that reading that website would possibly show you that there are many, both inside and outside the military, that like embellish their careers, if any, that they had in the military. My perspective is simple: you have volunteered during a time of war and as such worthy of my respect. There is no need to go to these great lengths that people in order to impress others. As you can see from my profile picture (need to update it by the way), I have very little in the way of awards in decorations but I wear them with pride.

Having assisted in doing some background checks on a few guys for a previous employers on guys and their supposed military careers, I do have some exposure in that regard. At the end of my day though, sir, my dad has always taught me to be proud of who I am today and where I am going, not things that I wish I had or where I wish to end up.

Please again this might have been lost in translation as telling you to do something, but what I was intending to mean was to read some of the articles and news you ll see on those websites. Its eye opening how bad it is.

Some probably feel that when he was exposed he should have pulled a "Boorda" but that is the easy way out. I have known some guys that manipulate the regulations so good that giving time they could have got themselves awarded CM of H. Are they as worthless as those that just out right forge it?

Yes PFC Claussner, they are. SGT Walden, your on the right track. Don't change course because your getting push back from the upper crust. You defend what you believe to be right and don't worry about having scrubbed down, polished and computerized opinions. It's YOUR opinion, you dole it out any way you FEEL. It is not new, and it is not getting worse, but most importantly, it is an important problem. And, it is not an epidemic.

No slack for fake heroes, regardless of rank. IMHO, part of the punishment IS very public humiliation. These people have GOT to know that if convicted, their pictures will be splashed far and wide all over the media. There will be no place for them to appear without being found out. People like this respond more to deterrence than doing the right thing for its own sake.

That was AWESOME!

Awesome lol, actually I do view DFAC personnel in high regards, and your trivia irony is hilarious.

He said E fuzzy!....lol

SFC Laws, great story! I was a 94B/92G, made SP5 in April 1977 in Germany, went into the reserves in 1981 and stayed until I retired last year. Made MSG December 2000 and worked at RRC/RSC, Brigade and Division levels.

That is what I have always said and what I have always expected. Needless to say, my expectations have seldom been met ...

The guy obviously has mental issues and a 6 month stay in jail is unacceptable, a lot of harsh comments on here. Yes the guy effed up and obviously has some inferiority issues going on but six months for wearing medals he didn't earn is unreasonable, its not like he was jmping troops when he wasn't a JM and someone's lives were at stake or he was embezzling money. He wore medals he didn't earn. Do we know his performance history? A lot of people are judging this guy because of this screw up, for all we know he could have been one of the best csms with the most squared away troops or the worst. What if this guy in his past saved 5 of his guys were he almost got killed but never got a medal would you feel the same? I know alot of guys on here are lifers but being in civilian world now and reading some of these burn the witch comments i gotta say dont take yourselves to seriously out here none of the civilians I work with give two craps about the military and most liberals I work with think active and ex military are cavemen. It sucks that there are people like that. I give all you guys props as when I was in it was Reagan and Bush and I was proud of them but it sure has gotta be tough knowing Obama despises the military. God bless all of you!

Maj Ballinger, I will respectfully disagree with you. I think they would if hung a NCO, and they should of done the same with him. Reducing him to a position as an SNCO demonstrates the ineptitude of our military justice system. Reduced to E-3, if he can't support his family get out, and get a job as a civilian. I have no sympathy for him.

Our politicians have done a lot worse, but they are not held to the high standards of being a NCO.

Need I remind the personnel that are showing sympathy: NCO Creed, READ ALOUD
No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army.” I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers, and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service, and my country; regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind: The accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer, I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers, and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers, and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

It's something we used to do, and we should. As far as I am concerned he humiliated the NCO Corps, and the Army. The least we can do is return the favor.

I think that dismissal from the service is an applicable punishment. Reduction in grade from the point he began wearing the unauthorized decorations for the purpose of deciding retirement pay would also seem fair. Now if we could start punishing these civilians promoting themselves and their agendas by wearing fake awards these clowns may start thinking twice.

Actually Sir, awards carries a lot of weight in reference to Army Senior Enlisted promotion boards.