Gentlemen, can u read below and see if I'm going in the right direction, please? also...what else should I add? or take out? etc. please advise today. I know you guys are busy, but as you know this is the most important week of my career. Thanks. S/F! R/ Pietro
General, sir, thank you for the opportunity to provide this statement and matters for your consideration, WRT extenuation and mitigation. This entire situation has been a long dark journey for me, in particular because I was never afforded the opportunity to answer the original IG investigation results, which in turn prevented me from being able to accept responsibility for anything factual that may have taken place on my watch as Provost Marshal. As a senior field grade officer and special staff member, I felt I should have been afforded that opportunity before actions were taken. Sir, at no time throughout this entire process did I try to skirt responsibility. The charges as originally drafted were unjust and the facts as delineated within the charges were incorrect. I could not, in all fairness, simply allow that to go forward without appropriate challenge, sir.
Below I have provided amplyfying details of each scenario for which the current charges are pending. They are offered for your consideration as factors of extenuation sir. Although the primarily unbeknownst to me, I fully accept responsibility for the events as described, sir. Following the descriptions are a synopsis of my career accomplishments as well as information offered as mitigation for your final decisions, sir.
DETAILS OFFERED AS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES:
Article 90 - the IG told my boss, Col Green, that I was debriefing Marines after he would interview them. I was not doing that, but Col Green gave me an order to not do so (if I was to stop and if I wasn't to ensure i still do not). A few days later, while I was traveling to St Louis, MO on leave, I was in contact with my OpsO, GySgt Buchanan, during a layover...discussing a Scrapper call, which was ongoing at the time. I noted in the conversation that he was seemingly not on point...so I asked him if he was ok. I then recalled that he had had his 2nd interview with the IG that day...and i asked him "how'd it go" ? "are you ok"?. I did not feel that was debriefing.
Article 92
Spec1 - over the course of the time while i was the PM, from time to time allegations of adultery would surface against Marines under my charge. When that would happen I would direct that the Provost sergeant look into the matter. If the allegations were substantial and substantiated, we would fwd the matter to the Bn for their action. If the matter was unsubstantiated we would inform the company 1stSgt but no action would be taken. In one case the allegation was against one of our civilian officers...in that matter we consulted with our HR Rep, Jess Cook, who informed us that the civilians do not fall under the same regulations WRT adultery. Nonetheless we interviewed the claimant and found there was no substantiating evidence. In the 3 cases listed in the charge, i personally did not inform the BnCO nor did I ensure the company 1stSgt was informed; i took that for granted. I felt it unnecessary to inform the BnCO since there was no substantiation.
Spec2 - i became the PM in mar 2007. That year HqBn Marines were exempt from rifle qual, except FAPers. In 2008, that exemption went away. Since the RR slots were limited and we had 150 plus marines, we improvised and set up to use the RR up at Barstow. We worked all the details through the BN. One marine, during the Ig investigation alleged she never shot the rifle while up at Barstow, but still received a score. true or not, i do not know, however if that did happen...then I am responsible. There were over 6 evolutions during the course of the year and into 2009. The SNCOIC at the time assured me all Marines shot the weapon.
Spec3 - at times, SNCOs under my charge chose to have Marines in their sections who had committed minor orders violations, come in on their day off to field day around PMO rather than issue a page 11 and such. Although I was not aware of every time that happened, I did not see it as improper punishment as that work had to be done regardless; normally by Marines coming off shift. Further, this saved Marines from bad paper and fostered a climate of fairness and that the leadership was not looking to hammer otherwise good Marines.
Spec4 - on training days I allowed unit functions where BBQs were conducted. Beer soda and water were present and it was expected that underage Marines would not drink the beer. I did not personally guard the beer nor card the Marines. On one occasion an underage Marine drank. I did not know that that had happened, as I would have prevented it had I known. The events were an effort to bring the civilian and Marines closer together in a safe environment for all. There were never any drunk driving incidents or other type incidents.
Article 133 - the prosecution drafted this charge to encompass the 3 other charges as a generalization of conduct unbecoming.
Article 134 - my only Master gunny, separated from his wife and needed an apt large enough for himself and his 18yo son...but could not handle the rent along with his two mortgages (house in Murrietta and house in 29). So, he asked me if I would mind moving in so the rent would be affordable. We discussed the matter and since he was the only Master Gunny working for me and was my senior enlisted (if in a combat zone he would be hooched with me) and the fact that we were both expecting PCS orders within 8 months, I decided to help him out and move in.