Corpsman and unearned medals.

[Drill for life]

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/0...rdict_080123w/
I find this truly downright disgraceful to everyone in uniform. He got the right punishment for his crime.

[SlightlyCatholic]

A hospital corpsman accused of wearing unearned combat awards was sentenced to two years’ confinement, reduction to E-3 and a bad-conduct discharge Thursday.

It sounds like from his punishment that this guy was given a General Court-Martial, since Special Courts-Martial are only allowed to award up to one year of confinement and a Summary Court-Martial wouldn't be severe enough for his offense. With that said, General Courts-Martial are exclusively allowed to award Dishonorable Discharges to guilty parties and I'm wondering why this guy didn't receive one. Then again, his life is basically ruined anyway so I guess two years in prison with a bust and a BCD is more than enough. After all, he didn't murder anyone.

Just for reference:

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provides for three different types of courts-martial: summary, special, and general. These forms of courts-martial differ in their make-up and the punishments which may be imposed.

The Military Rules of Evidence apply to all classifications of courts-martial. Moreover, an accused must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Summary Court-Martial
A summary court-martial consists of one commissioned officer, and may try only enlisted personnel for noncapital offenses. The punishment which may be imposed depends on the grade of the accused.

In the case of enlisted members above the fourth pay grade, a summary court-martial may impose any punishment not forbidden by the law except death, dismissal , dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, confinement for more than 1 month, hard labor without confinement for more than 45 days, restriction to specified limits for more than 2 months, or forfeiture of more than two-thirds of 1 month’s pay.

In the case of all other enlisted members, the court-martial may also impose confinement for not more than one month and may reduce the accused to the lowest pay grade, E-1.

The accused has the absolute right to refuse trial by summary court-martial. The accused does not have the right to representation by an attorney. The accused does have the right to cross-examine witnesses, to call witnesses and produce evidence, and to testify or remain silent.

Special Court-Martial
A special court-martial consists of not less than three members and a military judge, or an accused may be tried by military judge alone upon request of the accused.

A special court-martial is often characterized as a misdemeanor court, and may try all persons subject to the UCMJ, including officers and midshipmen.

A special court-martial may impose any punishment authorized under R.C.M.1003 except death, dishonorable discharge, dismissal, confinement for more than 1 year, hard labor without confinement for more than 3 months, forfeiture of pay exceeding two-thirds pay per month, or any forfeiture of pay for more than 1 year. .

General Court-Martial
A general court-martial consists of not less than five members and a military judge, or an accused may be tried by military judge alone upon request of the accused.

A general court-martial is often characterized as a felony court, and may try all persons subject to the UCMJ, including officers and midshipmen.

A general court-martial may adjudge any punishment not prohibited by the UCMJ, including death when specifically authorized.

Found at: http://www.military.com/benefits/leg...courts-martial

[Drill for life]

Originally Posted by Seminarian_Tim

It sounds like from his punishment that this guy was given a General Court-Martial, since Special Courts-Martial are only allowed to award up to one year of confinement and a Summary Court-Martial wouldn't be severe enough for his offense. With that said, General Courts-Martial are exclusively allowed to award Dishonorable Discharges to guilty parties and I'm wondering why this guy didn't receive one. Then again, his life is basically ruined anyway so I guess two years in prison with a bust and a BCD is more than enough. After all, he didn't murder anyone.

Just for reference:



Found at: http://www.military.com/benefits/leg...courts-martial

Speaking of Demotions there was a Marine who fought in Korea and Vietnam who rated a navy Cross, three Silver Stars, and two Bronze Stars for Valor who was demoted from Master Sergeant down to Staff Sergeant becasue he disobeyed orders to save three Marines and A Corpsman. He got the MOH for that,demoting hinm was wrong in my opinion. He retired and was never promoted again.

[PaulR]

I am glad that the corpsman was caught for what he did. I wonder how many phonies are still wearing fake ribbons and medals today?

[pingjocky]

Too many....but then again, one is too many.

R/
Pingjocky

[SlightlyCatholic]

The real shame is that this guy is no dummy. Yes, he violated the trust of many and is now considered to be a fraud, but to do what he did took talent and a good bit of intelligence. If only they didn't go to the dark side...

[PaulR]

I read about the corpsman's story a few months ago in the Navy Times. Evidently he was about to be discharged(as noted) due to the fact he could not get promoted. He was not a good test taker.

Well, in an effort to stay in the military he faked the awards to get additional points for advancement.

If he was so intelligent, he would have used some of that intellect to learn his rate well enough to score on the Service wide exams to get promoted. While I sympathize with his plight, there is never a reason to do what he did.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Originally Posted by PaulR

I read about the corpsman's story a few months ago in the Navy Times. Evidently he was about to be discharged(as noted) due to the fact he could not get promoted. He was not a good test taker.

Well, in an effort to stay in the military he faked the awards to get additional points for advancement.

If he was so intelligent, he would have used some of that intellect to learn his rate well enough to score on the Service wide exams to get promoted. While I sympathize with his plight, there is never a reason to do what he did.

I didn't know about his academic difficulties. Sometimes that's not even a matter of intelligence so much as a matter of dilligence. I know many people who could do much better in school if they would just sit down and actually crack the spine of a book every once in a while. Are the Navy rate exams really that hard? I know the Navy has military standards and occupational standards that they test on, but I also know that they have a bibliography on what Sailors should be studying for each test. I haven't BTDT, but it seems like if you put in a good amount of studying all the tools are there to succeed.

[Drill for life]

Originally Posted by pingjocky

Too many....but then again, one is too many.

R/
Pingjocky

Pingjockey you are dead on. It's good to meet you I'm Drill for life, I saw your post on the old Grunts Forum and agreed with a lot of stuf you said. It's good to officialy meet you. I know a DI who was going to be discharged because he couldn't make E-6, he was in the Corps for 15 years before he made Staff sergeant. He was a great Marine, a Great DI, and a great Force Reconassince. I hate how the military won't promote people who are way more qualified than other people but can't pass a test. By the way he just mad First Sergeant, he's been in for 23 years now, great guy.

[SlightlyCatholic]

The Staff NCO Promotion Process
Unlike the Corporal (CPL) and Sergeant (SGT) promotion process, the Staff NCO (E6-E9) promotion process includes a centralized selection board. The normal sequence from recommendation to promotion to Staff NCO follows.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Staff Sergeant (E-6)
Command recommendation
48 months Time-In-Service
24 Months Time-In-Grade

Must complete the required Professional Military Education (PME) courses:
Marine Noncommissioned Officer Course (MCI)/ NCO Basic Nonresident Course, or
The Sergeant's Nonresident Program/Sergeants Distance Education Program

The Staff NCO Centralized Board
The Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) will convene selection boards each calendar year to examine the qualifications of Marines in the grades of Sgt, SSgt, GySgt, MSgt and 1stSgt for the purpose of recommending those "best and fully qualified" for promotion to the next higher grade. The centralized promotion board generally consists of 16 to 18 members.

Your entire military career is evaluated to determine if you qualify among the "best and fully qualified." This determination is based on the "whole Marine" concept. In the course of its evaluations, the Selection Board will consider your demonstrated performance/achievement, leadership, professional and technical knowledge, experience (type and level), growth potential, motivation, military proficiency, physical fitness, personal appearance, conduct, moral character, and maturity.

Link at: http://www.military.com/MilitaryCare...ine_E6,00.html

I know a DI who was going to be discharged because he couldn't make E-6, he was in the Corps for 15 years before he made Staff sergeant. He was a great Marine, a Great DI, and a great Force Reconassince. I hate how the military won't promote people who are way more qualified than other people but can't pass a test.

It seems to me that the SSgt in question simply wasn't qualified to be promoted. I don't see anything in the above requirements about a test, unless you mean the PT test. However, if he's a Recon Marine, I doubt PT would be an issue.