re: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman says speaking out ended his 21-year military career

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Only one MSM means he only had one significant assignment as an Army officer, probably company command combined with staff time. Notice that he did not get the standard BSM for his time in Iraq in 2004. Probably an ARCOM.

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I can use my personal experience to counter this analysis.

I received an ARCOM when I left my command, not because I did a poor job, but because the individual submitting my award was so grossly incompetent that he waited until 2 weeks prior to my departure to send it. Since our Battalion was located in a different TIME ZONE from our Brigade and COL (now BG-retired) Iaccoca was not flexible in the slightest when it came to suspenses for paperwork the award was downgraded. This same individual (the Battalion XO) was easily one of the three worst officers I've ever served with in over 20 years. I will retire with 4 MSM's, all earned in the last 10 years.

As far as the BSM in Iraq, I also received an ARCOM instead of a BSM when I left Iraq in 2004. The second of the three worst officers I've ever served with was our Battalion XO and he had a personal vendetta against me, so much so that he put me in for an award as a 1st Lieutenant 10 days after I pinned Captain so he wouldn't have to explain to COL (now MG-retired) Rudesheim why one of his staff primaries wasn't being put in for a BSM. I had to give my commo chief a written direct order to wear his because he threatened to refuse to accept his if I didn't get one. I received "payback" (for lack of a better term) when I was awarded a BSM for my stint in Afghanistan in 2015 - I didn't feel I necessarily earned it, but it made up for the one I earned in 2004 but didn't receive.

Awards aren't everything when you factor in who the one who recommends it is.

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Awards aren't everything when you factor in who the one who recommends it is.

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Agreed. Using some generalities. An LTC with only one MSM is an anomaly though.

Don’t even come at me baw. I see you sporting that USAF avi

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At no point in my career or life have I felt our nation's values under greater threat and in more peril than at this moment,' said the Ukrainian-born lieutenant colonel.

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Totally agree. Pretty sad he wasn’t part of the solution and decided to be part of the problem. Too much soy to look within and see what he did wrong.

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Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman says speaking out ended his 21-year military career

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And?


When you leak classified, and make up shite about the top of your chain of command then... yep!

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Have enjoyed following this thread and the back/forth of the Army Officers. I mean that sincerely.

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My biggest regret is that I didn't volunteer for service back in the 60s. My deferments kept me from ever being drafted. (3 dependents in '60 - working in defense industry since '60, etc.)

I deeply honor all who served - especially the Vietnam vets due to their scapegoating by the same vermin who are trying to overthrow our government today.

Wish I understood the lingo and the context of the discussion better.

Thanks Wolf, I figured he had to have seen some type of command experience at the Company level. Mucho appreciated. I guess he just needs to apply for the Ukranian Defense Minister job he bragged about. Semper Fi, Soldier!