LTG Kearney's statement on Bragg murder charges

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

On the list of interesting things was an email I got from LTG Kearney this weekend. It was his decision that murder charges went forward against MSG Anderson and CPT Staffel and I had sent him a request for an interview. I asked him to discuss the command support for shooters in the field and the other issues surrounding use of deadly force that had come up lately. He stated he was considering the request and that the issues were important, well I'll let him speak.

Let me get back to you. While some of this falls in doctrine and TTP. A lot is in the relationships and agreements with the sovereign nations we work in and a lot of it falls into interpretation of ROE.  This is the most difficult challenge our young leaders are presented almost daily and in an instant they must choose.  It is as you say a relevant topic.  We and I in particular are silent on this till some legal procedings finish.  LTG Frank Kearney

A reasonable answer and I appreciate his personal attention to the matter. I got a phone call this morning from a COL Bush at SOCOM (I apologize if it was LTC) a Special Forces officer who let me know that LTG Kearney would not be able to do an actual interview but they would as a command answer any questions they could. COL Bush was genuinely concerned to hear that many folks had contacted me to voice their worry about just how righteous a shoot had to be. Now given that Rules of Engagement are theater-specific and classified, there is a limit to what we can expect. But I will be writing a few up and ask all of you if there are specific questions related to ROE, Deadly Force and Command support of the troops that you want asked. Please comment or email me. Here is LTG Kearney's official statement on the charges being dismissed.

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. Lieutenant General Francis Kearney response:  “The Article 32 investigation accomplished my intent.  An experienced Special Forces officer provided an independent and thorough review of the facts in this case.  The Article 32 investigation resolved the conflicting findings of the two previous investigations and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Military Justice System.”

Background:
• There where two investigations prior to the Soldiers being charged.   
• The first investigation suggested a crime had taken place 
• The second investigation suggested a crime had not taken place
• Lieutenant General Kearney determined the best way to resolve the inconsistency was to prefer charges and send the case to an impartial, experienced Special Forces Officer who could review the results and evidence of both investigations and make a recommendation. 
• Now the Soldiers and the command can move forward confident these allegations where thoroughly reviewed and this case can be put to rest

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LTG Kearney's statement on Bragg murder charges

On the list of interesting things was an email I got from LTG Kearney this weekend. It was his decision that murder charges went forward against MSG Anderson and CPT Staffel and I had sent him a request for an interview. I asked him to discuss the command support for shooters in the field and the other issues surrounding use of deadly force that had come up lately. He stated he was considering the request and that the issues were important, well I'll let him speak.

Let me get back to you. While some of this falls in doctrine and TTP. A lot is in the relationships and agreements with the sovereign nations we work in and a lot of it falls into interpretation of ROE.  This is the most difficult challenge our young leaders are presented almost daily and in an instant they must choose.  It is as you say a relevant topic.  We and I in particular are silent on this till some legal procedings finish.  LTG Frank Kearney

A reasonable answer and I appreciate his personal attention to the matter. I got a phone call this morning from a COL Bush at SOCOM (I apologize if it was LTC) a Special Forces officer who let me know that LTG Kearney would not be able to do an actual interview but they would as a command answer any questions they could. COL Bush was genuinely concerned to hear that many folks had contacted me to voice their worry about just how righteous a shoot had to be. Now given that Rules of Engagement are theater-specific and classified, there is a limit to what we can expect. But I will be writing a few up and ask all of you if there are specific questions related to ROE, Deadly Force and Command support of the troops that you want asked. Please comment or email me. Here is LTG Kearney's official statement on the charges being dismissed.

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. Lieutenant General Francis Kearney response:  “The Article 32 investigation accomplished my intent.  An experienced Special Forces officer provided an independent and thorough review of the facts in this case.  The Article 32 investigation resolved the conflicting findings of the two previous investigations and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Military Justice System.”

Background:
• There where two investigations prior to the Soldiers being charged.   
• The first investigation suggested a crime had taken place 
• The second investigation suggested a crime had not taken place
• Lieutenant General Kearney determined the best way to resolve the inconsistency was to prefer charges and send the case to an impartial, experienced Special Forces Officer who could review the results and evidence of both investigations and make a recommendation. 
• Now the Soldiers and the command can move forward confident these allegations where thoroughly reviewed and this case can be put to rest

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