Lancaster trio charged in case of stolen National Guard guns, grenade launcher

Time will reveal all TSgt David L.

A1C Ian Williams - One would only have to look at recent events involving PVT Bergdahl and Pvt Manning which is only the icing on the cake. No everyone in uniform has core values that would prevent these events. I have/had been in long enough to see firsthand and read about a number of other situations like this. When you have no internal moral compass this is what happens. The ones who do this have no honor and don’t think about loyalties to this country of the 2nd, and 3rd order effects of those weapons being used by criminals on the outside. One doesn’t have to be an Army Infantryman to see what damage, death and destruction can be caused by a few M 240 machine guns with ammo and somebody with some training on how to use them in crowded locations. This isn’t the first time this has happened and t won’t be the last.

1SG Dennis Hicks - You are absolutely right. it is only that reading something like this makes me want to reach out to my fellow service men more. Be that ear to listen without judgement and perhaps a guiding voice to steer them off paths like this. On an administrative side, I would have to deploy a two prong method. Punish and Retrain. Direct participants should be held liable under the military code of justice. Those tangentially involved by (sharing a placement in a unit) should receive special education as to the warning signs of such lapses in judgment.

A1C Ian Williams - This particular case will not be one of those slap on the wrist things, I see Chain of Command reliefs, LOM's in records, Courts Martial and assorted other career ending actions not to mention Gray bar hotel time. This isn't stealing TA-50/Body Armor etc, this is Military weapons that can be used to kill many innocent individuals should they fall into the wrong hands. I never served in the NG but I believe they are held to the same standards as AD/RC when securing weapons. This had to have been an inside job considering the unlocked racks , no alarm etc. In teh follow up we may see more but this unit or units will have a a chain of command enema.

National Guard, Reserve or Active Duty 1SG Dennis Hicks When you put on that uniform it is supposed to mean something to you so that when faced with decisions like this you make the right one. A dereliction of duty is a stain on a uniform to someone who has not respected the honour of wearing it.

You and I both LTC Orlando Illi I see some forensic accounting of the entire staff and a loss of privileges for some in that future.