2 Fort Bliss soldiers charged in Texas teen's murder | Fox News

All jokes aside, that's a good question. In some cases there are signs we miss that were really easy to see when we walk the dog and see how this came about. I wonder was there a chance to see this in their case?

I agree with you. Military Leaders must get to know their soldiers and have their respect. When soldiers respect a leader, they tend to bring up issues that they are uncomfortable with. They know which leader will take care of the situation without mentioning their name. I do not call this “Snitching”, is more like looking out for their unit, soldiers and community. We as leader, must understand that new soldier coming from all kind of background and at times they bring with them their old bad habits. Knowing your soldiers will give a leader a snap shot of their soldier’s background and the likes and not likes. We must welcome them into the unit/community and mentor them as best we can. Spot check in their leaving facilities can help deter bad behavior and unlawful habits. I know the Army’s policy restrict leaders from rooms’ inspections, but if the leader includes the walk through into their training scheduled this may help the situation. It does not have to be a room inspection, just a walk through the living areas will give any leader an idea of what’s going on in the unit’s area. Single soldiers will complain at this “walk” through the areas, but I feel it’s a must to keep the entire unit and the community safe. Leaders cannot be strangers in the single soldier living areas/life.

Sir, totally agree with you on those points. You never know what some people are capable of and seem like such a good person. I retired 5 years ago and a year after retiring read an article about sex offenders in our local paper (Killeen, TX) So, as a father, searched to see how bad it really was in the area. I ran across one such person who lived a few blocks away and for the life of me his picture looked eerily familiar. Come to find out this guy was one of my Company Motor Sergeants when I was Battalion Motor Sergeant in my last unit before retirement. Seemed like a great guy too.

we had a guy like that when I was AD with the USAF. Seemed like a really good guy. Always friendly, helpful, a hard worker. Appeared to be real stand-up kind of guy. Turned out he was molesting his 5 y/o step daughter. Sometimes you just can't tell what kind of person someone really is by outward appearances.

I agree with you sir and here are my thoughts on the situation. Not condoning what these two Soldiers did by any means but there is both sides to blame on this one. On the teenager side, how did he even get to the point of dealing or even being around drugs? Where we're the parents and what did they do to stop or help this individual. As a parent, should you not know what your kid is up to? Now on the Soldier side I would say that there is no excuse for what they did if it comes out that they are guilty.

You're absolutely right and that is a smart thing to do.