Report: Golsteyn allegedly admitted to killing Afghan

Army Times — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:39:58 -0400

From: Army Times

Newly surfaced Army documents allege that Maj. Mathew Golsteyn told the CIA he killed an unarmed Afghan bombmaker in his custody in 2011, and later conspired with others to destroy the body. The documents also allege Golsteyn, who has never faced criminal charges, knew what he did was illegal.

The Intercept published the Army documents on Wednesday night. They include a September 2014 information paper that outlines Golsteyn's alleged 2011 confession and the subsequent investigation into his 2010 actions while he was commanding soldiers in Afghanistan as a part of 3rd Special Forces Group.

"In an interview conducted with the CIA, then-CPT Golsteyn claimed to have captured and shot and buried a suspected IED bomb maker," the information paper states. "He further went to comment that he went back out with two others to cremate the body and dispose of the remains."

Army Criminal Investigation Command was unable to corroborate Golsteyn's alleged claims and therefore could not prosecute. However, Army Secretary John McHugh revoked Golsteyn's Special Forces tab and also the officer's valor award — a Silver Star that was due for an upgrade to the Distinguished Service Cross.

The Intercept also published an April 24, 2014, letter of reprimand written by Brig. Gen. Darsie Rogers, commander of Army Special Forces Command (Airborne).

"Your behavior in this matter manifests a complete lack of judgment and responsibility," Rogers wrote. "You have discredited yourself, the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, and the United States Army. Your conduct constitutes a serious departure from the high standards of integrity and professionalism expected of a Commissioned officer of this command."

McHugh's spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Kasker confirmed to Army Times that the documents were genuine.

The briefing said the CIA notified the Defense Department on Sept. 14, 2011 of a "possible violation of criminal law due to CPT Golsteyn stating that he shot an unknown, unarmed Afghani male." It says a transcript of the interview is attached, though it was not posted or described by The Intercept, an online publication initially founded in 2014 as a platform for documents released by Edward Snowden. Snowden has been charged by the U.S. Justice Department for leaking large quantities of classified materials in 2013. He accessed the documents while working as a contractor for the National Security Agency and shared them with journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, both now editors for The Intercept.

Joe Kasper, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., a Golsteyn advocate, called the new release a "subjective Army document" lacking a lot of important context.

"Words like 'confessed' and 'murder,' those are creations of the Army," Kasper said. "This is the Army's way of editorializing the decision.".

Golsteyn allegedly told the CIA that "he knew it was illegal but was not remorseful as he had solid intelligence and his actions protected the safety of his fellow teammates."

The briefing also says Golsteyn declined multiple opportunities to provide a rebuttal or response during the investigative process. Only after the reprimand did he provide a rebuttal, one written by his lawyer.This was not included in the document leak.

The Army, while refusing to detail charges against him, moved to kick him out of the service earlier this year. Golsteyn's board of inquiry, where he'll make a case against separation, begins May 18. He has since been removed from combat duties; a recent evaluation indicated he had been teaching urban combat courses and learning Russian.

For this story, Army Times reached out to Golsteyn's lawyer Phil Stackhouse by email and multiple phone calls. Stackhouse did not immediately respond.

According to the Intercept story, Stackhouse said by email that the briefing "contains incorrect information in several important and significant areas." He also repeated his stance denouncing the Army's actions against Golsteyn and stressing the lack of corroborated evidence from the investigation.

Golsteyn's evaluations, provided to Army Times via Hunter's office, suggest he had been a model officer.

Author and veteran Bing West quoted Golsteyn in his 2011 book "The Wrong War" as critical of the war's strategy.

"We're the insurgents here," Golsteyn said, according to West. "...and we're selling a poor product called the Kabul government."

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/crime/2015/05/07/documents-matthew-golsteyn-allegedly-admitted-murdering-afghan-bombmaker/70948210/

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 11:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:42:09 -0400

I need to see some proof before I pass judgement on this one.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 11:48 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:48:52 -0400

Based on the reading it is all alledged allocations and there is lack of evidence to move forward with charges. With that if they can not press charges then I would say there is a good chance he did what he felt was right and it was. We will have to see what comes out in his request to stay in and that may change my view and several others.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made May 8 at 2015 11:52 AM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:52:51 -0400

Whad da big deal.....no harm no foul.....

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 8 at 2015 11:56 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:56:24 -0400

I have a hard time with this.
There is a lot t be said about "dead bomb makers make no bombs"
Perhaps we can line up all the folks that bombed Dresden and take them to court as well.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 8 at 2015 11:57 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:57:04 -0400

(facetiously) Does "turn the other cheek" apply here considering who he killed?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 12:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:01:48 -0400

According to what I read here there are not enough facts about that case. Untill I see some more proof I'm not going to believe a thing about it.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 8 at 2015 12:08 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:08:18 -0400

Well if the CIA said he said it, that must be enough...it is not like the CIA is in the business of lying?

According to their report, there are a bunch of other evidence and witnesses...what do we have from this? Hearsay on hearsay is not evidence.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 8 at 2015 12:22 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:22:58 -0400

If he confessed, that's enough for me. There probably won't be any detailed information considering it's SOCOM and the CIA. What I don't understand is how the Silver Star is connected. I get it, strip his tab for conduct unbecoming. I've seen it before. But take a medal he earned and his later actions did not diminish? That's ridiculous.

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made May 8 at 2015 12:44 PM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Fri, 08 May 2015 12:44:06 -0400

He thought the info was solid, and im pretty damn sure he was tired of having to deal with IED's and there results (ie. dead US Troops). The track record we have of letting them go, I don't blame the guy for smoking him, he should of just kept his mouth shut and said nothing about it. Cause when the bullets fly its the guy next to you who has your back, I would put money on it none of his guys would of said a word.

The damn RoE got more guys hurt then it did anything and if I could I would put who ever wrote the damn thing on the front line clearing houses. Bet that shit would change then. I bet it would be kill the bad guys armed or not. Scouts Out

Response by SGT Ben Keen made May 8 at 2015 1:19 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 08 May 2015 13:19:11 -0400

Without passing any judgement on Maj Mathew Golsteyn, I think we as military professionals can sometimes lose sight of the human cost of war. While I in no way support a bomb markers ability to share the same air we breath, the internal struggle of know that the bomb marker had possibility killed several of a our battle buddies; we must remember this war unfolds in the headlines. People look to use to remain aware that everything that is done is quickly published especially if it is something negative. While I can't say what I would have done if presented with the same situation, we must remember that we are under a microscope of public option.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 1:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 13:47:46 -0400

If this is enough evidence to remove him from service are his teammates being treated the same for assisting and covering it up?

If his alleged confession in a CIA job interview is sufficient evidence against him then it should be for the others that assisted or witnessed it without reporting him.

Response by SSG Adam Wyatt made May 8 at 2015 2:04 PM

SSG Adam Wyatt — Fri, 08 May 2015 14:04:20 -0400

Shit happens.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 3:47 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 15:47:30 -0400

He needs a medal of honor. I am sick of this political B.S. If they spent half as much time trying to find the ISIS Islamic people they might do someone some good.

Response by SSG Jim Foreman made May 8 at 2015 3:48 PM

SSG Jim Foreman — Fri, 08 May 2015 15:48:10 -0400

The problem is the word "alleged ". Let's hear the "facts".

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 8 at 2015 3:51 PM

SFC Charles S. — Fri, 08 May 2015 15:51:15 -0400

There is just not enough actual facts here. Many questions remain unanswered. I'm holding out until they provide more solid proof than what is on the surface now. If he is guilty then he deserves what he gets. Nobody, gets a free pass on executing an unarmed prisoner without just cause.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 8:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 20:29:44 -0400

War has become over politicalized and less and less like real war as the years passed. Has any one ever heard of or read anything of soldiers being tried for murder/ war crimes prior to Iraq and Afghanistan? come on I am not saying shoot every body but its war if a of age male was killed that's one less possible trigger puller we have to deal with. Wasting time and money on keeping them alive is politics not war leave our vets alone. We either stop getting involved in the problems of other Countries or start viewing war as what it it should be. Stop leaving capable enemy soldiers to fight another day if the enemy is down double tap him if he moves if he makes bombs double tap because this is war and leaving enemy alive means one less of us that comes home . True or not Maj Mathew Golsteyn is a hero and according to the article took a bad man out of play. Punishing him would be an injustice.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 8 at 2015 9:41 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Fri, 08 May 2015 21:41:50 -0400

and so...Maj Golesteyn is a cloak and dagger best seller story; "...a confession, a possible violation of criminal law and a missing body..."It has several players of diverse organizational leadership, various visions and strategies alike and a global audience...no thanks to the Intercept and other individuals and groups of dissent.

We have all seen this before...The US military used as a political pawn for crusafiction and or martyrdom.

But dont change that dial. There is more to come...

Did "the US and partners sell a poor product called the Kabul government?" 2011, The Wrong War, Bing West; and where does the Golesteyn story fit in? or is it a stand alone ... lone wolf type story?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 10:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 22:51:45 -0400

I enjoyed reading everyone's post. It seems many have taken one side or the other. At the end of the Day he's a Hero in my BOOK and i'll leave it at that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 1:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 May 2015 01:42:27 -0400

Not pointing fingers at anyone here, but it seems to me that those that find it easiest to quote LOAC and morality have not spent years in a brutal fight with these asshats. We have a shitload of rules, they have none. We try to follow them, but at some point the warrior sees an opportunity to kill an enemy that must be killed and realizes that opportunity. At the end of the day it seems like more energy is spent on prosecuting our own for fighting a war than in enabling us to fight a war. The only prosecution the enemy will ever face is from the end of an American rifle. I say bring justice, and it sucks that the MAJ is being prosecuted because I have faith that if he felt that particular enemy needed to die, then so be it.

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made May 9 at 2015 7:07 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Sat, 09 May 2015 19:07:35 -0400

Wow. Alledged bomb maker. Well I guess it was the last bomb he made. Yes quite correct, if the fools who made the RoE had to live on the Line by them they would change real fast. Once I guess they realize we are fighting a war, not going to home coming dance, the better off we all will be.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 8:42 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 May 2015 20:42:00 -0400

So is there actual proof or could this have been a high speed officer bullshitting to some CIA spooks? Sounds like it to me. Did they find a body because they sure punished this officer without anything but these personnel statements.

Response by SPC Larry Buck made May 11 at 2015 11:45 AM

SPC Larry Buck — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:45:49 -0400

One man, one vote...
One story, one report.....
I'll follow follow thru and go with leave him be without evidence that was destroyed per regs bombs and dangerous ordinance is to be destroyed for public safety reasons.. And he may have been attacked!?!
Also just burying a Islamic warriors body is not proper to Islamic warriors! Cremation and sea burial eh...gray area need regs study course prior to deployment!