"Lawrence of Afghanistan" - his rise and fall

Sledge

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Pretty interesting article about the downfall of Special Forces MAJ Jim Gant, who was dubbed by many, including GEN Petraeus, as "Lawrence of Afghanistan." Especially interesting for an ethical study since Gant's fate seems to have been sealed by reports sent to higher HQ by a "fresh out of West Point" Lieutenant. I only say "interesting" at this point because the ABC report is based on a forthcoming book written by Gant's in-country paramour/wife. I am always skeptical of sensationalist media pieces.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/jim-gant-top-green-beret-officer-forced-resign/story?id=24266710
 
Pretty interesting article about the downfall of Special Forces MAJ Jim Gant, who was dubbed by many, including GEN Petraeus, as "Lawrence of Afghanistan." Especially interesting for an ethical study since Gant's fate seems to have been sealed by reports sent to higher HQ by a "fresh out of West Point" Lieutenant. I only say "interesting" at this point because the ABC report is based on a forthcoming book written by Gant's in-country paramour/wife. I am always skeptical of sensationalist media pieces.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/jim-gant-top-green-beret-officer-forced-resign/story?id=24266710

This is an amazing story. I was wondering how long it would take to introduce the name of Colonel Kurtz. We may never get the truth, and we may leave Afghanistan in tatters, but you can be sure we'll get a Hollywood blockbuster with Amy Adams and Leonardo DiCaprio.
 
Yeah...you can't bring your significant other to a war zone, teach them military tactics, dress them up in US military uniforms and have them fight.
The DoD doesn't take kindly to soldiers making reporters into illegal combatants!

It doesn't look kindly on disregarding General Order 1 either.

You BLATANTLY break the rules (Law of Armed Conflict and DoD orders) and you'll pay the price.
 
Yeah...you can't bring your significant other to a war zone, teach them military tactics, dress them up in US military uniforms and have them fight.
The DoD doesn't take kindly to soldiers making reporters into illegal combatants!

It doesn't look kindly on disregarding General Order 1 either.

You BLATANTLY break the rules (Law of Armed Conflict and DoD orders) and you'll pay the price.

Those exact points were DS's comments as a USMA cadet....

The article made it sound a bit like an uptight and wet behind the ears USMA recent LT called out the seasoned warrior just doing his job.

When the reality is that any officer has a responsibility to address those issues in some form.

Are there other ways to handle them than to report them?? Maybe, maybe not. Hmm, do you really think a multi-decade SF veteran fully invested in living as "Lawrence" would listen to an LT new to his area of operations?

This was *not* a West Point thing.... (DS's comment: "why couldn't the the LT have been an OCS or ROTC officer....")
 
Are there other ways to handle them than to report them?? Maybe, maybe not. Hmm, do you really think a multi-decade SF veteran fully invested in living as "Lawrence" would listen to an LT new to his area of operations?

This was *not* a West Point thing.... (DS's comment: "why couldn't the the LT have been an OCS or ROTC officer....")

It makes a better plug for the story. I also agree that (the Lt) following the rules and responsibility is the only path. Because folks sometimes make mistakes. There is definately a Col. Kurtz aspect to this.
 
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