Does the media ever get the by-line right?

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 15:55:09 -0400

http://www.fayobserver.com/military/bragg-colonel-removed-from-job-over-accusations-of-lip-kissing/article_46126322-bd99-5262-a2a2-1c [login to see] .html

The article speaks of violating 5 of the 8 core expectations, but highlights kisses. I can't imagine that his peers and senior leaders at these events didn't witness this colonel's kisses.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 28 at 2015 4:50 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 16:50:34 -0400

I'm not exactly sure what to make of this... Wow...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 5:17 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 17:17:23 -0400

A common misconception, the media is in the business of making money, not providing the truth. If the story is naturally sensational they don't have to "lie," if it isn't...

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Aug 28 at 2015 5:39 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 17:39:08 -0400

Well I can honestly say that I would be out of the military on this one. First off you don't kiss another mans wife on the mouth, Period. I don't give a F&*K what your rank is! Peck on the cheek, hey no problem. You do it repeatedly to the same person every time you see them. I'm going to question it. As far as the wives of the FRG using there husbands rank to influence and to make clicks, happens more than not. Doesn't matter what the spouses rank is, it only plays for respect. there is no wifely rank system and I don't play that either! I have turned a colonels wife around at the gate. They both where pissed but he said that i was just doing my job. and he was correct.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 28 at 2015 6:57 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 18:57:32 -0400

Sounds like a Toxic Leader!

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Aug 28 at 2015 7:38 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 19:38:44 -0400

The press may not have given the by-line that you may expect, but for the Fayetteville paper in this case, they probably did get it right. I do not know about newspapers around other large military bases, but in this case, I read the Fayetteville paper on a regular basis for 20 years, I even subscribed while I was overseas. From what I have previously heard through the grapevine, what was reported was not to far off from what was reported back when this occurred. The one thing that they left out was the other Brigade Commander that had the same issues. Still have not heard about what happened with him. Someone on the RP staff may want to look up the previous discussion about this issue when it was discussed in the context of FRGs. This would have been about the same time that the discussion was going on about the significant other of a female officer not being allowed and then being allowed in the Fort Bragg Officers Wives Club. And then we have the reference in the article about LTC Sinclair - what a mess, and why am I not surprised.

At least General Allyn did the right thing.

Did you know that Tanya Biank (the original author of Army Wives) worked for the Fayetteville Observer? And that she is an Army Brat, her husband and sister are or were officers in the Army?

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 28 at 2015 7:55 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 19:55:55 -0400

This man was my Brigade Commander. The article was pretty much spot on. He led by intimidation. My worst commander was my last one. What a shame.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 8:01 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 20:01:12 -0400

Sgt Spencer Sikder, from what I know from working around many people at Bragg is that this report is spot on and that he isn't the only one, but I guess the same can be said about any major Corps or installation.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 28 at 2015 9:24 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 21:24:50 -0400

SGT Spencer Sidker, Justice be done; maybe/kinda/sort of and later rather than soonest!

Wow! Retired, in GRADE, 2 years after the first report? My first thought was that the WPPA had influence in the matter. Google reveals the COL had been an Enlisted MP in 1982.

This is one more black mark for Officer vs EM military justice system!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 28 at 2015 9:51 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 21:51:10 -0400

Assuming that the article is accurate, and the investigation was sustained....
Imagine for one second that a SNCO or Officer walked up and planted one on his wife at a function-EXPLOSION-Guarranteed.
There is a distinct possibility that I might have gotten the Article 15......(insert imagination). For darn sure that investigation would not have taken 2 years, because the investigators would have been put on notice that a MANIAC keeps coming to the office raising cane.
The very longest, closest ,most respected friends that I have would never dream of doing that because it is wrong on every level. Utterly and completely disrespectful behavior, especially from a Commander. I find it unimaginable that a ruckus was not raised the very first time it happened. And then, for it to drag on for close to 2 years, which only gives the impression of "nothing is happening". WOW. SAD.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 28 at 2015 11:20 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 23:20:43 -0400

No man or woman is above the rules or social norms in the military. If he was a high ranking government employee, he'd just fine and trucking along like many politicians. The military holds the finest traditions and discipline.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 29 at 2015 1:47 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 01:47:18 -0400

Sgt Spencer Sikder I am familiar with the Brigade, the Officer, and the case. He left command early, before the Brigade was set to deploy, which is essentially being relieved. He was/is toxic... and it is shame they Army did not sanction him sooner... The jump chasing I can see, as he is the quintessential all about me leader. The lip kissing, that is flat bizarre. I only kiss one women on the lips...

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Aug 29 at 2015 7:40 AM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 07:40:29 -0400

The article provided broad details about this Colonel, but reading the responses from the soldiers who served with him demonstrates the pain many has felt for years. I commend you for enduring this pain, for serving and being deployed are struggles in balancing a home life as it is, but to have this monkey on your back just compounded the duress. As for all those officers, senior and junior to this colonel there will come a time for you to reconcile your deliberate failure to do something.

Response by MSG Bo Lathrop made Aug 30 at 2015 12:10 AM

MSG Bo Lathrop — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 00:10:29 -0400

He's lucky he didn't get knocked out. I would've lost my career if he kissed my wife.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 31 at 2015 8:49 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 08:49:28 -0400

Like all other married men here, if COL McRee tried to kiss my wife on the lips I would have beat his ass.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:13 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:13:29 -0400

I think by the response that they got the by-line spot on. It is factual and got people to read it. Everyone loves a scandal that are not affected by it.