On Obama’s Bloody Hands: Six Air Force Dead

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 05:35:09 -0500

Almost unnoticed or only given a passing glance was the recent murder of six United States Air Force members, killed while on a security foot patrol around an air base in Afghanistan. The pain and frustration over these deaths will linger for a long time, especially with their families, loved ones, and among those with whom they served, but also with those of us who understand the significance of the circumstances under which they were killed.

The dead include the female commander of the security patrol, Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen, 36. Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm, 45, a veteran of two prior deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq , and a New York City police sergeant. Sgt. Michael Cinco, 28, of Mercedes, Texas. Sgt. Peter Taub, 30, of Philadelphia. Sgt. Chester McBride, 30, of Statesboro, Georgia. And SSgt. Louis Bonacasa, 31, of Coram, New York.

Coram is a few minutes from my home on Long Island. I was a school district administrator where SSgt. Bonacasa went to school. And although we did not know each other, any time a neighbor is killed it brings home the serious nature of the Global War on Terror.

Bonacasa was a husband, and a father of a young daughter. I know the anguish he must have felt in leaving his family to do our nation’s most dangerous work, for I left a two day old son to serve at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, just months after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Later, I served on two more deployments, including one to Iraq in 2004-2005 which saw me away from home and family for 14 months. Whether or not I was ever coming home was in the back of my mind every day in-country.

Bonacasa loved his daughter so intensely that he wrote a poem about her and then had it tattooed on his left rib cage:

Daddy’s little girl,
The most precious person in my life
I can’t wait until that first night
Holding you in my hands
Now it’s time to be a man
From your first breath to my last
I’ll be there for you any way I can
Your pretty smile will melt my heart
And your sad cries will always tear me apart
Daddy will be there to wipe away your tears
And there to protect you from all your fears
Your sweet little laugh will be music to my ears
A beautiful gift from God to watch you grow through the years
There will be times when daddy is not around
He will be somewhere with his boots on the ground
There so at home everyone is safe and sound
When daddy is gone baby please don’t cry
Because for your freedom my baby girl
Daddy will die

This heartbreaking promise from a father to his child is evidence still that we are in a bloody War on Terror, not simply some struggle against “thugs and killers,” as President Barak Obama would have us believe. This enemy is multifaceted and insidious.

Why then does our President pretend we are engaged with “lone wolf terror” and “crazy people” with guns? Every attack is connected in obvious ways, by philosophy, culture and yes, religion.

If this is not true, then why do we operate the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, like a Muslim resort: prayer beads and rugs, Korans, halal and special Muslim holiday meals that include lamb and baklava, signs in Arabic on guard towers and green arrows painted on cell floors pointing the way to Mecca, white detainee garb for the well behaved, and counsel from U.S. military Muslim chaplains?

Obama’s denials that we are engaged in a war against Islamists fuels a misperception that has led to an inoperably thin effort that puts our troops in unnecessary peril. Too many missions, including the one that claimed these six lives, are under served with armor and overwatch – protections that should have been employed on such a dangerous mission.

I grew up as a soldier in the Army with the mechanized infantry as a combat medic, being told by my Vietnam veteran medical platoon sergeant and by the G.I.’s I served with that “you are an 11B (military occupational specialty nomenclature for infantryman) until somebody gets hurt.” They put the “combat” into “combat medic.”

I learned every weapon system except for mortars, and trained to fire them. I understood the tactical and technical requirements of mechanized infantry missions. Later, as an officer, my first command was as a leg infantry medical platoon leader, responsible for support of line companies, scouts, evacuation and aid station operations. Inherent in all of this was the number one most essential element to any military mission: security.

The last nine years of my military career I spent as a medical service officer with enemy prisoner of war military police units, small liaison detachments responsible for operational oversight of detainee operations, both in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and later in Iraq. Again, the number one most important concern was security.

Four of the Air Force personnel killed, including Maj. Vorderbruggen, were members of the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations; think the Air Force version of NCIS, the criminal investigation folks. This leads one to think there is something more going on here than a routine security patrol around an air base. It leads one to believe there was an intelligence gathering mission going on. Why were the Air Force police on foot patrol? Were there armored weapons platforms on overwatch or in reserve? Was there sniper cover? Helicopters? Drones? If not, why not?

Was this patrol, like the thin defenses for our personnel and ambassador in Benghazi, politically motivated? Was the major being allowed to punch her combat ticket (gender and sexual orientation aside) for promotion? Was she trained and experienced in such patrols or intelligence gathering? Was she a linguistics expert?

In my experience, it is highly unusual for a military major to be leading a foot patrol. Majors are field grade officers, and generally assigned to staff positions in headquarters units, not front line commanders leading troops into battle or on security patrols. Usually, the highest rank for an operational combat unit is captain, one rank below major.

We must perform all military operations with overwhelming force and with vigilant force protection. This idea from civilians at the Pentagon and in the White House that we can perpetrate a war with a tiny footprint and only Special Forces, bombs and drones is naïve at best and deadly at worst.

If our political and military goals are not the same, we will fail, and there will be more blood spilt needlessly.

As a former combat medic I know how difficult blood stains can be to remove, and it may take Obama a lifetime to get this blood off of his hands.

Montgomery Granger is a three-times mobilized U.S. Army major (Ret.) and author of "Saving Grace at Guantanamo Bay: A Memoir of a Citizen Warrior." http://sbpra.com/montgomeryjgranger/ Twitter: @mjgranger1

Montgomery J. Granger | Official Author Website

U.S. Army Reserve Captain Montgomery Granger found himself the ranking Army Medical Department officer in a joint military operation like no other before it – taking care of terrorists and murderers just months after the horrors of September 11, 2001. Granger and his fellow Reservists end up running the Joint Detainee Operations Group (JDOG) at Guantanamo Bay’s infamous Camp X-Ray. In this moving memoir, Granger writes about his feelings of...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 6:12 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 06:12:31 -0500

This may be one of the dumbest of the many dumb anti-Obama posts on RP.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 29 at 2016 6:30 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 06:30:24 -0500

Because Obama should TOTALLY have built a time machine by now, gone back and stopped Bush from sending us to Afghanistan right? How DARE he not defy the space time continuum for our troops!!!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jan 29 at 2016 6:47 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 06:47:17 -0500

I am no Obama fan but I am not making the connection here that Obama had something to do with the death of 6 airmen on a "foot patrol" in Afghanistan.

I agree he is misrepresenting the enemy and has been feckless on strategy in Afghanistan and on the war against radical islamists in general(starting with the fact that he will not call them that).

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 6:49 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 06:49:33 -0500

This post is ignorant and lacks any basic concept of war. Tragic? Yes. Troops die in combat zones and to say such things cheapens their sacrifice that some gave all.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 29 at 2016 7:43 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 07:43:44 -0500

You can disagree with the war, but you cannot blame Obama for this. Everyone thought pulling out of Iraq was risky and it resulted in the rise of ISIS. If America pulled out of Afghanistan a power vacuum would have been created there too. I do not like Afghanistan anymore than the next guy, but all service members know what they volunteered for.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Jan 29 at 2016 7:53 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 07:53:59 -0500

Not an Obama Fan but this is truly a bad conclusion and premise. The President although he is losing ground in Afghanistan due to the pull out of advisors and force protection, is not responsible for what happens to those who a carrying out his orders which originated from his predecessor.

OSI agents are responsible for HUMINT, counter-intel, and several other types of subtle mission when they are deployed. They do not always go outside the wire in force, regardless of the fact we have 9000 troops in Afghanistan, or 100,000. This is war, and people die in war. Their deaths were not needless nor should they be dishonored by blaming the cause of their death on the President. They died trying to rebuild Afghanistan into a safe and stable nation after we removed their oppressive government from power.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 8:21 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:21:15 -0500

As anyone could tell by my first post in response to this article, my initial impression was that this was just another one of a series of posts on RP that blame President Obama for everything they think is wrong in the world, and particularly the military. This article, even by those low standards, stretches the facts and point further than any one I have seen. I think it is a terrible example of a hatchet job and am surprised it was even allowed to be posted in the Command Post section, which the site indicates is for thoughtful opinions by selected members.

But I am writing this lengthy response not because of the blame Obama rhetoric found in this opinion piece. What has moved me to write this response is the infuriation and disgust I feel after reading the way the author attacks and denigrates Major Adrianna Vorderbruggen, one of the six servicemembers killed in this attack. I find it despicable, in fact.

A good portion of this article is dedicated to telling us what a great patriot and family man SSGT Bonacasa, another servicemember killed in this incident, was. The author goes into some depth describing how SSGT Bonacasa had a spouse, and a young daughter, and how difficult it was for lhim to leave his family to do the dangerous work, far away from home, that our country required of him. I salute SSGT Bonacasa and all other servicemembers who have made similar sacrifices. Our country owes them a debt that can never fully be repaid.

Yet when it came time to discuss MAJ Vorderbruggen, here is what MAJ Granger had to say:

"Was this patrol, like the thin defenses for our personnel and ambassador in Benghazi, politically motivated? Was the major being allowed to punch her combat ticket (gender and sexual orientation aside) for promotion? Was she trained and experienced in such patrols or intelligence gathering? Was she a linguistics expert?

In my experience, it is highly unusual for a military major to be leading a foot patrol. Majors are field grade officers, and generally assigned to staff positions in headquarters units, not front line commanders leading troops into battle or on security patrols. Usually, the highest rank for an operational combat unit is captain, one rank below major."

So let's analyze the differences in the treatment of these two great American servicemembers, who both died serving their country far from home and away from family. MAJ Granger did not question whether SSGT Bonacasa or any other member of the team was on patrol to get their combat ticket punched. But for some reason, he feels compelled to suggest that MAJ Vanderbroogen wasn't out there risking and ultimately losing her life in the service of her country, but rather in a vain attempt to further her career by punching a ticket. The thing is though, that MAJ Vanderbroogen had been in the Air Force since she graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2002. That's over 13 years at the time of the attack. She's a major. She has no concerns about her career needing a ticket punched. And besides, the very fact that she was assigned to the Air Base in Afghanistan would show on her record as combat duty. Whether she went outside the base fence or not on patrol would have no consequence to her career.

So why was the Major on that patrol? Here's what her grieving brother had to say about his now dead sister:

"She's a hero and I hope she's a hero to all of us, not just to me," said her older brother, Christopher Vorderbruggen, choking on tears. He said his trailblazing sister was charged with protecting the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan."She intentionally would go on these patrols with her men because she wanted to show them that she would do what she was asking them to do," he said.

Let me repeat that last line for emphasis:

"SHE INTENTIONALLY WOULD GO ON THESE PATROLS WITH HER MEN BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO SHOW THEM THAT SHE WOULD DO WHAT SHE WAS ASKING THEM TO DO," he said.

So is that the action of a ticket punching, career obessesed Major or the actions of a true and courageous leader who took to heart the mantra we all learned in our officer or NCO leadership training: never ask your soldiers to do something you are not willing to do yourself"? It's pretty clear to me where I would rate her actions, and why I find the accusation/implication of MAJ Granger so disgusting.

Next I want to go back to that particular sentence from MAJ Granger in questioning why MAJ Vorderbruggen was out there risking her life:

"Was the major being allowed to punch her combat ticket (gender and sexual orientation aside) for promotion? "

Again, for emphasis: (GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION ASIDE)

Ah, now we get into another slap to the dead Major's face. Somehow, even though it has nothing to do with her supposed ticket punching (because believe me, male officers have been punching tickets for generations and in vastly greater numbers than female officers) MAJ Granger feels compelled to make sure he mentions that there is something different we should know about MAJ Vorderbruggen, even though it really has nothing to do with her service or death; it's that she's a lesbian. MAJ Granger felt it was necessary to surface that in an opinion piece about her death.

Yes, she was a lesbian. She was married to an Air Force veteran, and has a four year old son. They were the loves of her life, and she experienced the same pain and heartbreak by being deployed away from them as MAJ Granger so aptly described for himself and SSGT Bonacasa. Here's how a friend described MAJ Vorderbruggen's feelings towards her family:

“Her wife and her son were the center of her life — and her service,” Hepner-Smith said. “She sacrificed a great deal; they both did. She gave her life full measure.”

But is there even a hint of an acknowledgement of that devotion or loss in this opinion piece or about MAJ Vorderbruggen's sacrifices and love of family? No. Just implications and accusations that she was there for personal gain only. (and by the way, she's gay!) Fortunately, thanks to the policies of our president that the author denigrates so much, MAJ Vorderbruggen's spouse and child will be able to receive the survivor benefits they so richly deserve; and their relationship won't have to be hidden in the shadows. Their loss can be publicly recognized and appreciated just as much as SSGT Bonacasa's and all the other married servicemembers who pay the ultimate price.

And lastly, notice that MAJ Vorderbruggen is the only member of that patrol that MAJ Granger specifically questions as to her professional competency. She is a 13 year veteran and a field grade OSI agent, and MAJ Granger feels the need to ask if she, and she alone knows anything about intelligence gathering. An OSI Special Agent. He didn't ask those questions about the other OSI agents in the patrol. Just the Major.

I'm not going to go into detail about the absurdities in the post about somehow connecting comments about the threat of lone wolf gunman in the states to the threat in an active war zone; or the fact that not all security patrols go out with snipers, armored vehicles and helicopter support, nor should they. Or that somehow the fact that President Obama calling ISIS thugs and not Islamists caused the Air Base Commander to underestimate the threat surrounding his Air Base in a war zone. Many others have already pointed those out. But as I said, I have taken the unusual action of writing out this very critical response because I believe that this opinion piece does a tremendous disservice to MAJ Vorderbruggen and denigrates the sacrifice she made in the service of her country. A hit piece like this may well be appropriate on FOX News, but in my opinion it has no place on a Professional Military Network Website and especially not in a section that is reserved for special opinions. Frankly, I find it a disgrace.

Response by COL John Hudson made Jan 29 at 2016 8:25 AM

COL John Hudson — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:25:12 -0500

Major Granger. I read your full analysis of the results of an attack on our forces in a combat risk arena. As a matter of fact, I went back and read it again. Did I miss something? Would that something be the document we all signed pledging all we are, all we will become, up to and including our LIVES to defend the principals of the U.S. Constitution, regardless of where we are assigned? There isn't ONE service member of any branch of the U.S. Military who isn't aware of the dangers inherent in combat assignments. Do you honestly believe those six individuals thought they were on a picnic and out for a daily stroll...or could it be they missed the briefing about the risks of their assignment. No one gets out of bed with the idea that today will be their last. It happens in war. I've been boots-on-the-ground in three of them (NOT behind a desk) and I understand it's never easy. I'm going to point out for the record you are really pushing it to call out the President of the United States with your personal opinion...WHILE IN UNIFORM...in a public venue such as this, behavior that is strictly addressed in UCMJ. I strongly suggest you go back and familiarize yourself with the applicable regulations about such conduct. If you don't agree, then take off your uniform and resign your commission. Colonel John C. Hudson, Inspector General, USA (Retired).

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 9:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:14:10 -0500

The loss of any service member is a tragedy. There have been many, and sadly more than a few I knew personally or were my Soldiers.
What we do every day in a place like Afghanistan is fulfill a policy, set by a civilian leader, for a purpose laid out to our commanders. We don't always know why. We sometimes have to figure out the how for ourselves. But it is always for this higher purpose that wrench turners turn wrenches. pilots fly aircraft, and ground-pounders pound ground.
You can not like the policy. Disagree with it even. But no Soldier, Sailor, Marine, or Airman ever died for no reason. We always have a purpose, and sometimes that purpose claims lives. All of us wrote down and signed a check that said we were willing to do so. Someday it might be you or me. I never lose sight of how many near misses I have had, and but for the grace of God go I.

This particular patrol was undoubtedly working on some aspect of base security. It, like any other patrol, had a CONOP and force protection was deliberately thought out to the satisfaction of the operations people who monitor any outside the gate mission. Could they have brought more personnel, overwatch, and firepower? Sure. But if they were doing what I suspect they were, going light is the way to go.

I wish them Godspeed on their last patrol, until I get to see them manning the big gate in the sky.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 29 at 2016 9:15 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:15:44 -0500

I cannot understand how you could take the death of six servicemembers on duty in the Stan and wrap Obama into this. "Why then does our President pretend we are engaged with “lone wolf terror” and “crazy people” with guns? Every attack is connected in obvious ways, by philosophy, culture and yes, religion"....you took a nice write up and at this point here decided not to blame those who committed the acts but rather those who can be your misguided scapegoat. Obama had nothing to do with them being killed. Obama was not there when they swore the oath, not there while in training, was not there when their units were called upon to deploy. In fact he didn't pick their unit to deploy any more than he chose those six SM's personally to go. It's a real shame to see these lives reduced to a political "joke". They don't deserve that, and if you were really grieving like you say you are, then place the blame on those who did it.
If you insist on blaming the president, I'd recommend you look up who started sequestration, how many in congress voted for it's approval, now many are currently asking for it to be removed (lip service does not count), and how many are actively taking action (lip service does not count). Also you're going to want to do some more research and see how Pres. Bush ALSO said the GWOT isn't about Islam. Yes he clearly said it, but your blind hatred for Obama won't let you see that, so when Obama says we're not at war with Islam it's "different" since he's "supposedly" a Muslim, stated that he supports Muslims but NOT terrorists. Naw that would be too much like right. For someone who claims to have been a Soldier, I'd expect better than to cheapen these lives. The men I know who died in the Stan...NONE of them were "killed" by Obama any more than Bush. They were killed by a coward who laid IED's. You might want to ammend this headline and tell everyone what this really is about, and six dead SM's aren't it.

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Jan 29 at 2016 9:18 AM

GySgt Carl Rumbolo — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:18:05 -0500

With all due respect, your conclusions are seriously flawed and have no basis in actual fact. In actuality you are the one who has done disservice to these six members of the military who died while on active duty.

First off you refer to their deaths as 'murder' when in fact they died on active duty,in a combat zone and died on a patrol. That is not in anyway akin to 'murder' - they didn't die in a mugging. You sir, cheapen their deaths by trying to score political points. One would expect a commissioned officer in the United States Army to refrain from rolling in the mud with politicians. Do try to remember while you may not like the current President, he is the President and therefore respect the position.

Further, your attempt to draw a connection between a foot patrol, in a combat zone directly to the President fails the basic test of logic and understanding of the military. Do you have some actual evidence that the President of the United States issued an order to the operational commander on the scene that this foot patrol be conducted that directly lead to these casualties?

We will set aside the fact that the current President did not order the military into that particular theatre of operations, his predecessor did. Now you might make a case that the current president should have ordered an immediate withdrawal when he took office, but that is a strategic discussion and the wisdom of that was and is debated at multiple levels, both political and military.

Your post, and shameless advertisement / promotion of your book and blog, does discredit to those who died on active duty. From the comments here, you have impressed no one, rallied no one to your cause and failed in your attempt at was an obvious attempt at political character assassination.

Your politics are your own - but at least try to be a rational reasoning individual, hysterical rants with no basis in actual fact does discredit to any argument you are trying to make. One would expect better of someone who managed to reach the rank of Major in the Army.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 10:15 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:15:06 -0500

Live with it ... ... that is one of the price for all service members paid. We just mean to do our job ... someone make up the policy and we die trying to make that policy work. The anger you have is understandable, but the president should not be blamed for those death. All the responsibility that a President should shoulder is the policy he is asking the service members to "make it happen". Those death should be on those who kill them or the ideology.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 29 at 2016 11:01 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 11:01:27 -0500

Touching poem, but I don't see the connection to Obama. Maybe I'm missing something.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 11:19 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 11:19:26 -0500

How did this make it on the Command Post?

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Jan 29 at 2016 11:23 AM

Sgt Jay Jones — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 11:23:22 -0500

This is nothing more than Obama-bashing at it's worst. I am so pleased to see a vast majority of the post here defending the President in a fair and impartial way instead of drinking the Kool-Aid MAJ Montgomery Granger has served up!

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 29 at 2016 12:22 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:22:15 -0500

I'm having a hard time connecting the dots on this - There is always a game being played via political, economic or strategic policies. Yes sometimes these policies result in the escalation of force and in its most transparent form this aggression results in war. That is the military's job - we kill and destroy. Not surprisingly those that we intend to do harm often object to this in violent fashion. However we all know or knew the inherent risks with our military service. I think having an agenda and using the deaths of these service members in an attempt of assign culpability is an injustice to their honorable service. If you want to attack policy, attack policy because I'm finding little merit in dragging these folks into that attack.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jan 29 at 2016 12:23 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:23:45 -0500

Sir not only you are you grossly mistaken, you are also just an idiot. Stop dumping all this BS on the President. It is pure lies and far-right propaganda. If you don't like Obama fine, criticize till you turn blue, but please stop lying.

Response by SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer made Jan 29 at 2016 12:26 PM

SPC Tanya Cummings Boozer — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:26:50 -0500

Way to shamelessly promote your book there Major! These Airmen's death DID get lots of media coverage, I guess you missed all that when it happened over 5 weeks ago.
I am not a fan of the current president by any means or the current situation in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but would not blame their deaths on Obama no more than I would blame any service member's death in war on any other sitting president.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jan 29 at 2016 12:44 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:44:43 -0500

I see in your writing that you have no knowledge of what OSI does in Afghanistan nor of how they operate and why. You use book knowledge to judge the missions that we do and how we do them, then you fail to recognize that the Taliban is not ISIS. I will gladly one on one educate you.

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made Jan 29 at 2016 12:49 PM

Sgt Mark Ramos — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:49:14 -0500

MAJ Montgomery Granger, I am not a fan of the current administration. I think they wasted the progress and sacrifice made by the time they took office. Beyond abandoning Iraq, I think they further destabilized the Middle East and the world with their actions and policies towards Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Russia. I think they use Special Ops, CIA GRS, and other covert paramilitary forces to hide their actions from the public more than national security warrants.

The minimal force level currently left in Iraq and Afghanistan seem too small to be effective. Our national goal pertaining to those forces is unclear. It appears that they are there simply to deflect criticism of a feckless Middle East policy. I often think that we should, in the terms of my Vietnam Vet father would so eloquently say, "shit or get off the pot". It's irritating to think that brothers and sisters are at risk just for show. But I don't think your portrayal of this incident, tragic as it was, helps bring these points to light.

I could write a long diatribe supporting my assertions but it would be a waste of time. People here know enough and have experienced enough to either agree or disagree. That's just how it is.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jan 29 at 2016 1:02 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:02:07 -0500

Way to politicize the deaths of our brothers and sister Sir.

Response by SGT Lou Meza made Jan 29 at 2016 1:30 PM

SGT Lou Meza — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 13:30:05 -0500

You as a Major should know that sign a blank check up to and including our life when we enlist in the military ! we all knew the dangers associated with that blank check ! To blame Obama for their deaths begs the question did you not sign that blank check ? Maybe the best you can do for our country is resign your commission , pick up your ball and go home !

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jan 29 at 2016 2:55 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:55:04 -0500

Down voting, but not for opinion, rather for promotion of one's book.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 3:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:54:14 -0500

In what possible way is this worthy of being a Command Post?

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made Jan 29 at 2016 4:17 PM

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:17:05 -0500

https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/554971-38b-civil-affairs-specialist

Community Manager at RallyPoint Networks, Inc. | Former SSG - 38B: Civil Affairs Specialist |...

View the full military profile of SSG (Join to see), Community Manager at RallyPoint Networks, Inc. | Boston, MA | RallyPoint professional military profile.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jan 29 at 2016 8:19 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 20:19:12 -0500

How the hell is this President Obama's fault. W started the war in Afghanistan then F'**ed it up by invading Iraq. You are a racist bigot!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 11:36 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 23:36:59 -0500

Down voted for reasons other members have already listed.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 6:34 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 06:34:49 -0500

I do not support President Obama's policies or views and I was a big supporter of President Bush. But this is just to much, even for this conservative. If I understand your logic then all Presidents in time of war or conflict are guilty and have blood on their hands for all deaths in battle. As if our presidents draw up all the battle plans for missions. In my humble opinion this is a far reaching assessment of nonsense. I would agree we do not have a cohesive thought out plan on dealing with Iraq (ISIS) and Afghanistan (Taliban) today. But that sure as heck doesn't equate to murder in my mind. It was a mission gone bad and in times of war there is death. We all know the possibilities and extreme circumstances we may be forced to adapt to. But we do it regardless of the consequences! It is our duty to go out and accomplish the mission, no questions asked but with honor! Regardless of the outcome! This is also one book that will not be on my reading list. I hope your conscious is clear and you are content with your expressed words. I wish you good luck!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 11:03 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:03:17 -0500

I feel like reading this has somehow made me dumber. The last time I felt like this was when somebody made me watch "Jersey Shore" with them.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 30 at 2016 11:47 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:47:33 -0500

I down-voted this post due to the derogatory comments you make on Maj. Vorderbruggen, not so much in the OP, but throughout your responses later.

LTC Private RallyPoint Member responded far better than I could and I concur with his comments.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 1:36 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:36:11 -0500

This is not the place to post political view points. It goes against the basic rules of conduct.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jan 30 at 2016 3:37 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:37:00 -0500

Downvoted for all the reasons listed above.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 3:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:51:38 -0500

Civil Affairs where CPT Meza and I came from and briefly served together is similiar to OSI in patrolling for a mission where a Major would be there on occasion if it were a Key Leader engagement. A Major could be the leader of the special ops team depending if he/she was needed or mission requirements. I empathize with your loss but I think attacking the deceased Major with the alternative lifestyle and ticket punching innuendo is not fair. I am not happy with this administration either. President Obama did not do the President Johnson Vietnam-style Breakfast table micromanagement of Afghanistan.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 30 at 2016 11:49 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 23:49:56 -0500

All Presidents, regardless of party, have to live with the blood of our service members. MAJ Montgomery Granger

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 9:58 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 09:58:02 -0500

I noticed over the years that facts, logic, and critical thinking can't change people minds like they once did in the past. The bias bubble is so strong these days, that feelings overrule valid facts or disallow individuals to objectively view facts, evidence, and come to a logical conclusion. This post is yet another example of that not happening and it brings down the level of debate and/or discussion.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jan 31 at 2016 11:46 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 11:46:19 -0500

You can always count on a racist rant against the president on RP.

Walt

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jan 31 at 2016 10:05 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 22:05:03 -0500

I down voted. I admit that with pride. I find your use of the death of fallen comrades as a publicity stunt to promote a personal agenda, particularly lacking honor. Here is the thing on freedom of speech. You are allowed to say ANYTHING you want in this great country. But you also have to handle consequences of what you say. I am curious as to the staunch defense of your opinion. With a majority of people on here down voting and pretty much against your opinion, you still see the need defend yourself as if the opinion is fact. You being in the business of promoting and selling books (That is an assumption I don't know your Bio) you would think you would try and write something that would be more in tune with the popular voice, instead of writing something that is obviously out of tune with the military crowd. Just a Thought.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 11:55 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:55:27 -0500

I must be missing something, Sir. You are active duty in the United States military, advertising a book against the President of the United States on RallyPoint? Please tell me, I misread this post.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 9:08 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:08:19 -0500

Down voted for the SAME reasons EVERY other person on here has already stated. To take something tragic and turn it around for YOUR OWN PROFIT is beyond deplorable! Shame on you, Sir! I'm embarrassed for you!

Response by SrA Erin Hood made Feb 1 at 2016 2:45 PM

SrA Erin Hood — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:45:00 -0500

Well said.

FYI, their names will be engraved on the memorial at Patriot's Park inn Venice, FL.

PM me for datials if interested.

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made Feb 9 at 2016 12:02 PM

SMSgt Cary Baker — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 12:02:23 -0500

As tragic as this is sir, we cannot blame the president of the US for such actions. We all signed that contract and raised our right hands and swore to defend the US, it's people, and the Constitution at all cost - including our lives. These folks paid the ultimate sacrifice, and they will be dearly missed by all. As much as I dislike our Commander in Chief, he is still our Commander in Chief. This President is no different than any other when we are talking about sending our troops into harms way.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 9 at 2016 2:38 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:38:44 -0500

Why is this a Command Post?

I'm all for MAJ Montgomery Granger voicing his ideas and thoughts but as one of the more long time users of this site and someone that works really had when writing my own Command Posts, this sort of political bashing serves no purpose other than to get your name out there. I appreciate your service and your wiillingness to share your story through your book, I am writing one as well. However, Command Post, at least from my understanding of what LTC Yinon Weiss and the rest of the team is trying to do through them, is to provide members of this community with posts that challenge us to think more, not to bash who ever is in the political hot seat this week.

First off, there were only two Soldiers that I know of that have been murdered during our fight against terriorism. CPT Seifert and Maj Stone were both cut down on 23 March 2003 when our unit, 1 BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), was attacked from the inside by another member of our unit. This late night attack on D-1 day was this one person's attempt to stop the invasion that he saw as wrong in his eyes. CPT Seifert and Maj Stone paid the highest price that night and 13 others were wounded during the Soldier-on-Soldier attack.

It is sad that these 6 Airman were killed, yes. But they were killed doing their mission. It is a price we all agree to pay when we enlist. Rather than using their death as a way to forward your political views, way not honor and celebrate their service?

Response by 1stSgt Michael Gartland made Feb 13 at 2016 1:35 PM

1stSgt Michael Gartland — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 13:35:27 -0500

I'm no fan of Obama, but he could not have influenced the tactical situation these Airmen found themselves in. It is certainly tragic, but I can't blame the the CIC for this loss of life.

Response by Sgt Judy Leonard made Feb 23 at 2016 3:24 PM

Sgt Judy Leonard — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:24:12 -0500

Really!!! I'd say Bushes bloody hands for starting this war!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 6:47 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 18:47:15 -0500

I didn't vote this down, because it is quite obviously an emotional situation for the original poster. I would disagree that the female Major died because she was out punching her female combat ticket (or however he worded it). I also disagree that this could be compared to the events in Benghazi. Female Engagement Teams in Afghanistan were simply awesome. They allowed us to gather intel and engage with a portion of the population that normally we never would have seen. Female HUNMINT folks did the same thing. I do not see this as being the "fault" of anybody because there are times when you do everything perfectly good people still die.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Feb 26 at 2016 10:54 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 10:54:59 -0500

You make too many faulty assumptions and denigrate people you don't know. Best to keep opinions given without deliberate consideration to yourself please.

Response by SGM Robert Speakman made Mar 3 at 2016 5:56 PM

SGM Robert Speakman — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 17:56:15 -0500

Sir, I agree with you 100%, I'm so fed up with Obama, he's ruined this great nation of ours & he doe's not care about the Military as he petend's too, I spent 29 year's as an Infantryman. I am sad to hear about these 6 Military that lost their live's defending what you & I believe in. I know as a combat soldier what I felt like when I lost one of my men, I had several. I served with the 1st Calvary 1965-66 as an Airborne Infantry Grunt. I will be glad when he leaves office

Response by SFC Michael Streeter made Mar 4 at 2016 5:04 PM

SFC Michael Streeter — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:04:26 -0500

I don't feel like the President should be solely held responsible for when a soldier is KIA. We have to remember that the soldiers that are placed in harms way, that call comes from a lot more people. So lets stop pointing blame and be grateful that there aren't many more tragedies.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Mar 5 at 2016 1:57 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 13:57:37 -0500

May God Bless their Families and all Families of Military both Active, Reserve and Veterans. Hooah!!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2017 4:43 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:43:45 -0500

Struggling to see how he death of my friends was BOs fault. Last I heard it was the Taliban who orchestrated this attack.

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 28 at 2017 4:49 PM

SPC David Willis — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:49:01 -0500

OK Ill bite and play the game. Even more than Obama, George Washington has the most blood on his hands. He formulated the Continental Army and thus opened the door for millions of US service men to be murdered while in armed conflict... C'mon what ever happened to "blame the enemy, kill the enemy"?

As an aside I don't agree with almost anything Trump has ever said, but I do agree with him when he said the green berets knew what they signed up (although more tact could have been used). There have been wars where men were drafted, or the government wasn't being honest with what to expect, however since 9/11 not one US military member or DOD civilian who has been killed in hot zones can honestly say they didn't know the risks their jobs entailed.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 26 at 2018 12:58 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:58:08 -0500

Excellent share sir