Something to start the week. Don't kill your Lts.

Started by Cliff_Chambliss, May 12, 2015, 02:45:34 PM

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Cliff_Chambliss

Captain Charged With Manslaughter After Leaving Lieutenant Unattended In Parked Car.

FORT HUACHUCA, AZ — The company commander of a signal unit has been arrested on manslaughter charges after leaving his executive officer unattended in a parked car Friday, military police confirmed.

Capt. Rick Halset, 30, was apprehended after his Executive Officer, Lt. Carl Higgs, 26, was found dead, still locked inside the vehicle.
Higgs was apparently left in the car outside the post exchange (PX) while Halset went inside to grab a few things. "I told him I'd be right back, I didn't think I needed to leave the car running, I really only meant to be gone a minute," said an obviously distraught Halset.

Bystanders reported the lieutenant had locked himself in the car with the windows up in the blistering Arizona sun. By the time Halset had returned, Higgs had suffered a heat stroke and passed away before base EMS could respond.

Carolyn Tyler, an army spouse, was heading to the PX when she spotted Higgs in the car.
"I was walking in to get some Boone's Farm for me and the hubby to enjoy when he got back from the field and I saw this poor lieutenant stuck in that car," Tyler said. "It's over 100 degrees here, what kind of monster would leave that little guy in a hot car with the windows up?"

Others tried to assist the young officer in unlocking the doors so he could get to safety.
"I tried to coax him towards the door so maybe he'd hit the button, but I couldn't get him to listen to me," said Specialist Byron Tiller. "I've seen people do cruel stuff like that to lieutenants before, and it's just not right. Unfortunately we got there too late to make much of a difference and before I called for a medic he was already headed out."

"I just couldn't bring myself to tell the Captain what happened to the lieutenant," First Sergeant Bryan McGraw told reporters. "He didn't seem to understand why he wasn't moving anymore, so I just told him Higgs had to go to a B-billet in recruiting where he was going to be very happy. I even promised him we'd go to Fort Benning, or hell, even West Point, and pick him out a new lieutenant. But he just kept crying 'I don't want a new lieutenant, I want Higgs!'"
"I really feel bad for the young Captain," he added.

The incident has forced the Army to review its policies on the humane treatment of Lieutenants.

"Some people think getting a lieutenant is as easy as feeding them, but there are a lot of other things, like training, mentorship, etcetera," said Col. Steven Chang, Halset and Higgs' battalion commander. "And when you get these irresponsible CO's who get lieutenants and then neglect them, that's how you get these dangerous lieutenants who are just going to get fired and end up in some staff section with nobody who loves them, waiting on a mentor who's probably never going to show up. That's why I always adopt my staff from the S-3 or company office."

Even enlisted soldiers are rallying to help young LT's with the formation of the ASPCA, or Army Specialists, Privates, and Corporals Association. The ASPCA has a mission of "mentoring and caring for Lieutenants until they survive to make Captain," according to ASPCA spokesperson Specialist Gina Woods.

While the Provost Marshall's office at Fort Huachua is seeking to charge Capt. Halset with manslaughter, Col. Chang has succeeded in reducing the charge to one misdemeanor count of neglect of a Junior Officer.

"I listened to Colonel Chang's argument, and I realized that it's not really that young Captain's fault," said Maj. Stephanie Cook. "That's a lot of responsibility to place on a young officer, and we're proud that he remembered to feed him and take him for runs everyday."
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
2d Armored Cavalry Regiment
3d Infantry Division
504th BattleField Surveillance Brigade

ARMY:  Because even the Marines need heros.    
CAVALRY:  If it were easy it would be called infantry.

lordmonar

I blame the NCOs.   For every instance of a CAPT screwing up....there is a SNCO not doing his job! 
PATRICK M. HARRIS, SMSgt, CAP

Plane

C/2d Lt Matt Claar
Mitchell Award #65121

Luis R. Ramos

This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!
Squadron Safety Officer
Squadron Communication Officer
Squadron Emergency Services Officer

MIKE

You really should provide the Duffel Blog link before you copy and paste the entire "article".
Mike Johnston

JC004

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!

It's meant to read that way.

LSThiker

Quote from: JC004 on May 12, 2015, 04:59:33 PM
Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!

It's meant to read that way.


That is alright, even some readers of that website will take the stories at face value.

Just read some of the comments on the story:
http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/07/general-gives-controversial-graduation-speech-riot-ensues/

JC004

That's what happens when people click a link.

FW

Look! It comes from the internet! It must be truth!   >:D


Mitchell 1969

Quote from: lordmonar on May 12, 2015, 03:12:08 PM
I blame the NCOs.   For every instance of a CAPT screwing up....there is a SNCO not doing his job!

Ah - so CAP does need NCOs....
_________________
Bernard J. Wilson, Major, CAP

Mitchell 1969; Earhart 1971; Eaker 1973. Cadet Flying Encampment, License, 1970. IACE New Zealand 1971; IACE Korea 1973.

CAP has been bery, bery good to me.

PHall

Quote from: lordmonar on May 12, 2015, 03:12:08 PM
I blame the NCOs.   For every instance of a CAPT screwing up....there is a SNCO not doing his job!

Maybe he was doing his job Pat... >:D

Storm Chaser

Quote from: Mitchell 1969 on May 13, 2015, 12:40:22 AM
Quote from: lordmonar on May 12, 2015, 03:12:08 PM
I blame the NCOs.   For every instance of a CAPT screwing up....there is a SNCO not doing his job!

Ah - so CAP does need NCOs....

Who else are you going to blame? The LTs?  >:D

THRAWN

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!

Earth humor...
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

winterg

At least once a week I have to PM a friend on social media that they are up in arms over an article on a satirical website. The Duffle Blog is one of my favorites.

ColonelJack

Quote from: winterg on May 13, 2015, 02:18:46 PM
At least once a week I have to PM a friend on social media that they are up in arms over an article on a satirical website. The Duffle Blog is one of my favorites.

If they're gullible enough to fall for what is so obviously satire, maybe they should be up in arms more often.  That said, I love Duffle Blog too.

Jack
Jack Bagley, Ed. D.
Lt. Col., CAP (now inactive)
Gill Robb Wilson Award No. 1366, 29 Nov 1991
Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska
Honorary Admiral, Navy of the Republic of Molossia

Garibaldi

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!

...I can't.  :o
Still a major after all these years.
ES dude, leadership ossifer, publik affaires
Opinionated and wrong 99% of the time about all things

Thonawit

#16
A couple of months ago, I visited our local AFB to try to find some uniform items for our Cadets.

I navigated via a site seeing tour, to Clothing Sales. The building was empty... I admit it, I am a 2nd LT in CAP, when I was active duty in the Army I was a Staff Sergeant. I got a Gold Bar and lost my brain. The last time I was on Base was about 10 years before, they moved stuff...

Since that moment, I have been getting flack from our DCC about being a 2nd LT...

Regularly contradicts, contradicted CAP Regulations...

Nuke52

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

You're right:  satire is not a serious laughing matter.

I further agree that something here (or someone...) "does not read right."

Aye carumba...  ::)
Lt Col
Wilson Awd

Nuke52

Quote from: Garibaldi on May 13, 2015, 06:19:32 PM
Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!

...I can't.  :o

I can...  >:D
Lt Col
Wilson Awd

THRAWN

Quote from: Nuke52 on May 13, 2015, 10:48:43 PM
Quote from: Garibaldi on May 13, 2015, 06:19:32 PM
Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 12, 2015, 04:44:06 PM
This does not read right.

The reporter is laughing at a serious matter.

But if it happened as described, why did the Lt chose to close the vehicle doors? No Lt is going to be that stupid, no matter what the opinions of some NCOs towards green Lts!

...I can't.  :o

I can...  >:D

I should but I won't. Sometimes it just isn't fair...
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

AirmanAwesome


"I just couldn't bring myself to tell the Captain what happened to the lieutenant," First Sergeant Bryan McGraw told reporters. "He didn't seem to understand why he wasn't moving anymore, so I just told him Higgs had to go to a B-billet in recruiting where he was going to be very happy. I even promised him we'd go to Fort Benning, or hell, even West Point, and pick him out a new lieutenant. But he just kept crying 'I don't want a new lieutenant, I want Higgs!'"

This is starting to sound like a sad scene in one of those movies... you know, where a dog or a cat dies, except in this case a LT.
C/Amn, Civil Air Patrol
SSCS
8)

lordmonar

PATRICK M. HARRIS, SMSgt, CAP

AirAux

At least in "Ol Yellar" we all cried, but then again, he was a hero, not a Lt.

Luis R. Ramos

I guess I am in a minority as I will say...


Hooorrrrraaaaaah for all 2nd Lts!!!!!!!   Or HUUuuuuuUUUAAAAAAAH  for all 2nd Lieutenants...








At least they serve as entertainment as everyone else seems to bash them...
Squadron Safety Officer
Squadron Communication Officer
Squadron Emergency Services Officer

LSThiker

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 14, 2015, 06:47:43 PM
At least they serve as entertainment as everyone else seems to bash them...

Even when I was an Army 2LT, I bashed myself and other 2LTs.  Heck I was even bashing 1LTs even when I was a 1LT.

MSG Mac

If only he had looked up and realized the convertible top was open.
Michael P. McEleney
Lt Col CAP
MSG USA (Retired)
50 Year Member

THRAWN

Quote from: MSG Mac on May 14, 2015, 07:43:02 PM
If only he had looked up and realized the convertible top was open.

That's just wrong....HY-larious....but wrong....
Strup-"Belligerent....at times...."
AFRCC SMC 10-97
NSS ISC 05-00
USAF SOS 2000
USAF ACSC 2011
US NWC 2016
USMC CSCDEP 2023

PHall

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 14, 2015, 06:47:43 PM
I guess I am in a minority as I will say...


Hooorrrrraaaaaah for all 2nd Lts!!!!!!!   Or HUUuuuuuUUUAAAAAAAH  for all 2nd Lieutenants...




At least they serve as entertainment as everyone else seems to bash them...

Let me guess, you've never served in the Armed Forces, have you... If you had you would have known to not take it seriously.

Even 1st Lieutenants bash 2nd Lieutenants. It's a very old and honored tradition.





Luis R. Ramos

Thus my last line, At least they serve as entertainment as everyone else seems to bash them.  I never served, but the way that is portrayed in letters from service members, in books about the service by ex-service members, and others. By the ex-service members I know.

In other words, If you had you would have known to not take it seriously... Even 1st Lieutenants bash 2nd Lieutenants. Is not a secret.
Squadron Safety Officer
Squadron Communication Officer
Squadron Emergency Services Officer

CAPs1

Ramos is absolutely correct.

From my experience Senior NCOs babysits the 2d Lt at least till next promotion.
Sometimes longer...

Cliff_Chambliss

The Lieutenant's Intelligence Test:

1.  Resources Available:
     a.  1 Sergeant and 3 enlisted soldiers.
     b.  Antenna Mast 120' in length.
     c.  Hole 5' deep.
     d.  3 Pieces of rope, 1 @ 20', 1 @ 15' and 1@ 10'.

2.  Task:
     Get the Antenna mast erected in the hole using only the resources listed above.

How do you accomplish the mission?     (scroll down for answer)







Tell the Sergeant "Get that pole up" and then get out of the way.
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
2d Armored Cavalry Regiment
3d Infantry Division
504th BattleField Surveillance Brigade

ARMY:  Because even the Marines need heros.    
CAVALRY:  If it were easy it would be called infantry.

LSThiker

Quote from: CAPs1 on May 15, 2015, 12:02:30 PM
Ramos is absolutely correct.

From my experience Senior NCOs babysits the 2d Lt at least till next promotion.
Sometimes longer...

It depends on the job. 

In something like Infantry, that is more correct unless they were prior-NCO.  However, in the healthcare fields, that is not correct.  It is a mix as you will get some MEDPROs with experience and others without.  An experienced PA that enters the military as a 2LT will probably be mentoring the 68W more than the SNCO babysitting him.  The same is true for CLS officers or Public Health officers.  They may need help with the military specific items, but the specialty items not so much.  Now if you get those same officers that have no experience and joined just after graduating, then yes the SNCO will probably have to guide the officer more. 

The best officer experience I saw was with a medical doctor.  The man started as enlisted as a mechanic.  Made it to E-6 and switched to Warrant Officer.  Worked up to CW4 as a motor pool officer.  He then went to medical school and became a captain.  At this time, we were wearing BDUs with branch insignia.  Needless to say, it was funny to watch him when the motor pool NCO would try to throw him BS since he was "just a medical doctor".  That NCO looked like he just got ran over by a freight train.  Good ol Doc Olsen. 

Nuke52

Quote from: Luis R. Ramos on May 14, 2015, 06:47:43 PM
I guess I am in a minority as I will say...

Hooorrrrraaaaaah for all 2nd Lts!!!!!!!   Or HUUuuuuuUUUAAAAAAAH  for all 2nd Lieutenants...

At least they serve as entertainment as everyone else seems to bash them...

You can lead a man to satire, but you can't make him think...

And to be absolutely technical--'cuz you seem like that kind of guy--it should be: "Hooorrrrraaaaaah for all 2ndLts!!!!!!!   Or HUUuuuuuUUUAAAAAAAH  for all 2LTs..."  (USMC = 2ndLt, i.e., no space between 2nd & Lt, while Army = 2LT.  For bonus points, AF = 2d Lt.)  You're welcome.

Oh, one last thing:  SFC Hulka says, "Lighten up, Francis..."
Lt Col
Wilson Awd

Luis R. Ramos

Yeah, if I know who is that man you are speaking off, that man never wrote satire!

That man sometimes does not recognize satire either when it is tickling his nose!
Squadron Safety Officer
Squadron Communication Officer
Squadron Emergency Services Officer