Posted on Mar 25, 2014

Publicizing Senior Military Leader Punishments - Good Idea?

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The military has always been pretty good at showcasing punishments for junior NCOs and Soldiers throughout the command (posting redacted findings) , but what about our seniors NCOs and officers? QUESTION: Should the military more aggressively publicize UCMJ/courts-martial punishments/results for our senior leaders?  Why or why not? BACKGROUND: There has been congressional attempts to remove certain UCMJ/courts-martial power from military commanders in an attempt to reduce the appearance of cover-ups or "taking care/protecting our own".

Posted in these groups: Ucmj

UCMJ

Senior Leaders

Posted >1 y ago

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Responses: 17

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MSgt Denise Smith

Posted 11 y ago

I think it is even more important that the punishment of Senior NCOs and Officers should be publicized. It is common knowledge within the military "different spanks for different ranks". Unfortunately, rather than being easier on junior personnel and using "mistakes" as a learning experience with the chance to improve they are often slammed to the max. More senior individuals who should have the experience and maturity to know better are to all appearances given a bye for their actions instead of being pounded on even harder which would make more sense. Why is a senor ranking individual slapped with a relatively minor fine and allowed to retire all to often without much if any reduction in rank? How have they be harmed compared to the individuals they were supposed to have been leading?

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Yes. Alot of Senior Leaders become to comfortable with their position start straying from the right. Publishing findings that are confirmed could possibly sway someone from doing wrong and give them a reality check that noone is above the regulations which we follow.

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PO1 Glenn Boucher

11 y

I agree with you, once the findings are confirmed and the appropriate punishment has been served, but not when someone is accused or allegations are made about inappropriate behavior.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

So I suppose its ok to air out PVT Joe Snuffy's dirty laundry but God forbid if we do it to the seniors??? I find it quite acceptable granted they have been found guilty first. It goes to show that senior military leaders are not exempt from UCMJ action and are held accountable to the same if not stricter standards for their actions just as us junior minions are. Senior leaders are very well expected to conduct themselves in a manner above reproach which is why they are often chosen for their respective billets because of their professionalism.

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SFC James Baber

Posted >1 y ago

I think the finality of the case yes, such as final findings and conviction data, but for the ongoing case, no, look at the fiasco the BG Sinclair case turned into, if there wasn't so much media input and command influence because of the media, he may of actually been convicted of all the original charges, I am not saying he was guilty but we will never know because of the debacle it was turned into.

Because of this I think that until it is finalized it shouldn't be public is what if the accused is acquitted, their reputation is already tarnished because of the publicized case, so their privacy is no longer theirs and they can almost never restore their name as their will always be questions of whether or not were they actually guilty of that or something else.

Keep it private until after conviction, then publicize it for fairness to all.

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PO1 (Join to see)

>1 y

I disagree. Senior personnel are not private individuals any longer - they make public speeches and comments.

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SSG Eric Blue

Posted 25 d ago

I'm surprised about this one. I'm used to SFC and senior, as well as MAJ and senior getting their misconduct overlooked...even when it's terrible, unethical, VERY criminal, and unforgivable.

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SSG Ronald Rollins

Posted >1 y ago

Yes. It would show transparency in the legal system. But ONLY if they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt or plead guilty. To many times a command will convict someone before a trial or any proof of wrongdoing.

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MSG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

YES!

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CPT Jacob Swartout

>1 y

I second that!

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