SSG Robert Bales is the name you’re looking for
So there’s the man who stands accused of murdering 16 Afghans last Sunday, according to The Lookout. I got the name from somewhere else and I’ve been waiting for the media to unchain themselves, so I’m pretty sure that’s the guy.
The revelation of Bales’ identity comes after criticism from Afghan President Hamid Karzai about the lack of U.S. cooperation in investigating the massacre. Karzai also questioned whether just one American soldier was involved.
Yeah, I already checked AKO and his records have been scrubbed there, so don’t hurt yourselves trying to answer those stupid security questions. I’m pretty sure that they locked down all of his information as soon as they arrested him to keep stuff from leaking out like it did with Hasan. So we’ll never know if he did “multiple tours” or not. Remember they claimed Hasan did, too, at first.
I notice in the picture of him above, taken in August, there’s no combat patch on his sleeve. And no one I know, with any experience, would hang a smoke grenade by the spoon on their load-bearing gear. His crime already went from being PTSD to a simple drunken rampage. Just sayin’…
March 16th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Why does he look so jacked the fuck up? I know the SOF community has their own relaxed grooming and uniform standards, but he isn’t wearing the “usual” SF type gear (coyote brown plate carriers and an Ops-Core style helmet). His chinstrap is all crooked and from his appearance, he looks more like a bumbling Supply Sergeant hick from a Reserve Unit than he does a Green Beret…
Just my observation is all.
March 16th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
I never saw anything saying he is SF. I have been following this story closely and if what the news says and what his lawyer says is true then his command should be in trouble. There are too many loops and holes in the story to take a strong stance but no matter what I stand by my brothers in arms.
March 16th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
He looks like he is wearing MILES gear or something I can’t tell from the photo. No Optics on his ACH bracket. Also the background looks NTCesque.
March 16th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
The picture is suppose to be from his pre-deployment training.
March 16th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Forget for the moment where I read it yesterday, but seems to me official sources already stated he WAS a supply sergeant SUPPORTING an SF detachment. Not qual’ed himself.
Although why that matters except to the press “experts”, I don’t know. It’s not as if everything that comes out of their mouths isn’t already provably biased.
Who other than the true believers still pays attention to the lame stream media anyway?
March 16th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Thats at NTC (notice the Miles gear).
I was in the same unit as this guy, he is on 4th tour (3 in Iraq, 1 Afghan). As for the 2010 accident, I don’t ever remember that happening…I’m not sure where the media picked that up.
March 16th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Definitely MILES gear, take a look at the helmet and you ll see the little nipples for the helmet band. Looks like eyepro on his IBA, not a spoon. However, even as a Spec-4, any self respecting NCO/Officer would have squared his ass away, you can t leave that shit on your vest. Im in an aviation unit and get torn up for having that crap on my head when Im not using them.
March 16th, 2012 at 10:21 pm
The mainstream media has already chosen the path they want to go with this story. It will be up to people like us to fill in the other blanks that they will ignorantly ignore. I am still curious about his time before enlisting. If he is 38 years old and has been in the army for 11 years, that means he was…umm…27 when he enlisted and went to basic. So what was this guy up to since graduating high school? I wonder if there were any breaks in service?
There’s also a story that the day before he went postal, one of his buddies got his leg blown off. I curious as to what really happened and how. Was he standing next to the guy? Were the inside the wire or what?
Still not too much info to go on, but I would question anything the media (or his lawyer) puts out there that fits the narrative a little too well.
March 16th, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Be hard to wear a combat patch on a Uniform shirt/jacket/coat not designed for one. No Velcro
Also seen Plenty of people use a M18 just like that Active and Guard just bend the bottom of the spoon up takes a Minute.
March 16th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
tis the season to steal valor falalala
March 16th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
BOHICA 22- right on! I was thinking the same thing… thanks for doing the math. 27 years old… joining the Army…as a private… hmmmm? I wonder what his recruiter is thinking.
March 16th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Bohica, I heard on the news that he was standing right next to the guy when it happened. No mention if it was outside the wire or not.
March 16th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
chitown jesus is really creating shit though
anyone can say, I did this or that – who’s gonna stop them?
March 16th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
I deployed with this guy twice and he is a SSG and a sniper with our (3rd BSCT) unit via HHC 2/3 INF. This is his fourth deployment (3×1 Iraq, 1×1 A-stan) and the pic above is taken at National Training Center, Ft Irwin, CA. He isnt wearing his “COMBAT PATCH” in the pic above.
I have no direct knowledge of the events in question but in my time in his unit (HHC 2/3 INF – 3 BSCT) he always acted in a professional and responsible manner.
My condolences go out to his family…
-Doc J
March 16th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
@ CARL. SSG Bales is an 11B. And in his defense he has ‘prolly done more in the defense of his country than you.
-Doc J
March 16th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
I believe I read in one published account that he’d worked in “blue collar occupations” for “several years” before joining the Army. That was in a media report, so give it whatever credence you like. But it would explain the delay of several years between end of school (high school or college) and joining the Army.
March 17th, 2012 at 12:06 am
BOHICA and Verde, time for math lessons. 11 years ago was 2001. Some big shit went down in ’01, if you’ll recall, and a lot of people joined, regardless of age.
Just sayin’.
March 17th, 2012 at 1:11 am
I too worked with SSG Bales, I was a PSG in the same battalion when he was the PSG of the scouts. A couldnt believe this is was him, he is one of the finest men, NCO’s, and soldiers I have known. It irritated me the blatant lies about his “troubled family”, this man was a model soldier.
For all you that pick apart a photo and tell us what a dirtbag he is. I agree with the above sentiment, this man has served the US in more capacity with his short time in the service than most of you will your whole life.
Bobby Bales joined the Army because after watching the twin towers go down he was moved to do something for his country.
SSG are in charge of many things, they are in charge of COP’s, SP’s, and patrols. This isnt the Navy, we dont need an officer for every little task. Something seriously went wrong that caused Bob to snap. It scares me because we are the same age, had similar experiences, and the same amount of deployments. He is a fine man, a great American. But something went really wrong. Now he and his family will suffer for it.
March 17th, 2012 at 1:31 am
I turned 26 in Basic. I haven’t committed any war crimes of which I am aware. And I don’t wear a right shoulder patch, lest the 10th Mountain inadvertently receive some sort of vague credit for something that I do. You can’t tell much of anything from a picture.
March 17th, 2012 at 1:38 am
I won’t add more of what I have already posted on this, but I will reiterate my previous statements. 1) Innocent until proven guilty. Robert Bales deserves a fair trial and the benefit of the doubt. 2) I think he is being railroaded. The more I hear of this story the more it stinks. There is some talk of some people putting together a defense fund for him.
Some people are jumping on this guy without little regard to his record previous to the event. Hell for all we know this could be another Haditha, and do we want SSG Bales to remember that his fellow vets weren’t there for him?
March 17th, 2012 at 1:43 am
Does anybody think that this person just out of the blue decided to end his military career, put unimaginable strain on his wife and children and his extended family and friends, and to carry the weight of what he has done for the rest.of.his.life (which may now be taken from him)….I don’t think that to be the reality here. Something tragic happened…not that I am saying his actions were in any way justifiable. Please pray for him, his wife and children and yes, even pray for the families of those who’s.lives he took and for those he injured. God bless us all.
March 17th, 2012 at 2:03 am
Doc J, were you the medic for 3/C. IF so this is the old 47.
March 17th, 2012 at 2:13 am
I had alot of respect fo the people on this sight. But its clear that alot of the commentors have never been in a line unit. For all the talk of “sheepdogs” its seems like a pack of Hyenas.
In the line we sometimes hang our eye-pro on our IOTV (gasp), sometimes our chinstraps arent on straight, sometimes we take out our side plates and get rid of the neck collar and groin protector, I know its crazy. That would never happen in the aviation world, or the logistics world. I mean the one time a month you put on your kit, you make sure its all polished and dress right dress.
Alot of people dont wear combat patches, since every tom dick and harry gets one for going to Quatar for 3 months. Whats the point? What does it signify?
There is a battalion of men ready to stand up for Bobby Bales. Not for what he did, that was wrong, but for the soldier he was. We also need answers, if it can happen to him it can happen to any one of us. That is probably the scariest thing.
So go sit back in KAF, tell us all about your expertise on how he isnt a real soldier, or how you would ‘jack his ass up’ for taking off his eye pro. And in your expertise how real soldiers must never deploy to NTC.
March 17th, 2012 at 2:32 am
He should get Casey Anthony’s lawyer. He’ll be set in no time, provided he really is considered innocent until proven guilty.
March 17th, 2012 at 2:55 am
FOXMG. You seem like the type of toxic leadership that SMA Chandler talks about. You ALLOWED your soldiers to take off their protective gear because you don’t have the balls to make them adhere to standards. This did not “happen” to SSG Bales. He made a choice. You make shitty choices on the daily apparently… Why even carry a weapon on patrol? You are such a badass I’m sure you would catch 7.62 in your teeth and shoot it back downrange with your tongue.
March 17th, 2012 at 3:08 am
BTW… I am not at all convicting the guy… But if he is the one that did this he just added to this ridiculous OEF/OIF vets are all crazy saga. I am tired of vets “playing the crazy card”. Many of us went, came back, left the shit where it belongs… Some of us went, did nothing/something, lied/embelished, blah, blah ,blah… I will not stand behind someone who killed innocent people… HERE, THERE, ANYWHERE. I can speak for days about the subject because there are way too many “crazy vets” out there.
March 17th, 2012 at 3:17 am
I’m incredibly glad to see other men who have served with him commenting here. Regardless of the nature of their comments that sort of thing will be in short supply over the next few months. Keep on keeping on, gentlemen.
March 17th, 2012 at 6:46 am
Would leaving eye protection on while speaking with a village elder, as is being simulated in this photo, be considered rude? Was he told to take off shades while meeting someone in a diplomatic setting? Kinda like shaking hands with glubs on?
March 17th, 2012 at 6:48 am
My question above speaks to Duke’s, ahem, strong comments above…
March 17th, 2012 at 7:01 am
Duke, IBA and IOTV was designed to be modular so it could be adjusted to the threat level. I never wore the groin protector, nor the throat protector while in Infantry till 2008. But then our commanders gave us freedom to work and werent terrified of bad press so ordering everyone into full Body armor as as way to check the block on a Risk Assessment and then wash their hands.
It smells of the practice of Article 15′ing IED survivors for not wearing ear plugs which 10th Mountain used to do.
It’s a cop out to say someone you never met is a Lousy NCO because he doesn’t look like a fuckin PEO Soldier poster. As to SMA Chandler, well frankly, I dont have a Use for SMA’s as they are usually the worst suckups in the Army. Yessa massas, more worried about shit like unit greetings, reflective belts, and Powerpoint then rifle marksmanship, soldier care, and actual fighting of wars. Chandler has a BS for BS the standard bullshit award for E-7 and above whether they ever saw a Live Iraqi or Afghani in the wild. He doesnt impress me as anything other than another Middle Manager with 27 bits of flair.
This SSG. is Innocent until proven guilty in a court of Law-AKA the American way. We dont know jack about what happened other than media reporting. IF he murdered Women and Children throw the book at him during sentencing, not before.
March 17th, 2012 at 7:06 am
No bunny you are correct, we’ve been told time and again to remove helmets, remove shades, gloves when doing meet and greets with village elders. Hell We were advised that in 2004 that the culture didnt trust people if they cant see your eyes. There must be a couple of hundred Army.mil pics showing everything from 2lt’s to 4stars meeting with locals not in full battle rattle when doing Bilats.
March 17th, 2012 at 7:38 am
I haven’t commented on this subject other than to point out Karzai’s hypocrisy and I will continue to not comment on this, because I am always guarded of media hype and accuracy in anything that they report, especially early reports of an incident, because they always get it wrong. I’m, also, wary of this administration and the fact that the military seems to leave some hanging in the breeze for political expedience.
March 17th, 2012 at 7:51 am
SG: thank you for commenting. As a civilian ( sorry guys) I find it interesting that some here will flame this guy for eye pro placement, when he is doing what he has been trained to do. The rush to judgment based on one tiny photo screams volumes at me.
March 17th, 2012 at 8:21 am
You guys are stupid and you clearly have no military background, or combat experience. Ssg bales is it Shit! He was a platoon ssg in my unit. He personally help me during a time when everyone else wasn’t attempting to. Ssg bales woulda done whatever he could have to help a fellow commrade, and now aas soon as an accusation comes out everyone hops all over it? Even if he did do it…he is an american, how manyb random, pointless deaths of soldiers have happened as a result of this conflict overseas? More than 16! I say that we all realize that he is innocent until proven guilty….also I say that u realize that if you are a soldier who’s deployed during OIF, and OEF then you kno that it woulda been awfully hard to get off base without an american troop seeing you since we gurd the base with the ” coalition forces”….the only person to see he was an afgan lookout…hmmmm how ironic….just look at the facts….real infantrymen can see what’s really up
March 17th, 2012 at 8:24 am
I was 24 when I signed the contract, 25 when I shipped for Basic. I’m on the older side when compared to others in my peer group but certainly not the oldest nor way out of the norm. I’m a 28-year-old Specialist now and most of the E-4s in the company I’m in (which is MI, so it does trend older/more educated) are in the 23-29 age range, and almost all of us have at least some college.
March 17th, 2012 at 8:25 am
Also, id like to point out that removing mitch helmets is a courtesy…a sign of respect…the same as tipping ur hat when you see a woman, or holding the door, a GOOD infantryman is never complacent and always remembers that he is in combat…so taking your helmet off would make an awesome sniper target huh? Stop speculating and look at the facts!
March 17th, 2012 at 8:27 am
I sincerely hope he receives a fair trial. Prayers for him, his family, and the deceased.
March 17th, 2012 at 8:41 am
1. He was working with a village stability force, pretty much a small team working with village elders to maintain security of the area; they’re not exactly set up on a FOB, more like a small encampment within the village.
2. They have footage of him low crawling towards the wire, as well as laying down his weapon, putting his hands up and surrendering.
3, and i’m sure i’m not the only one who’s heard this, one mistake can erase a lifetime of good deeds. He’s a murder suspect now, and that alone has pretty much erased anything good he’s done in his career. It’s just the nature of the beast. Granted I hope he gets a fair trial, but regardless of the outcome it doesn’t look good for him.
4. Most of us here have military and/or combat experience, so don’t be foolish.
March 17th, 2012 at 8:51 am
@34: You clearly don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. Most commenters here not only have military backgrounds, but many of those have also been in the sandbox and frontline units, including the site owner.
March 17th, 2012 at 8:59 am
My questions: If Karzai created some kind of problem and claims the 16 deaths were from US soldier attack, have the bodies been autopsied to prove what weapon or bullet killed them? Who saw it happen?
Seven of our troops have been shot dead by the soldiers we helped train. So, who is to say that it cannot be something shady?
At this point, no matter what the truth is, I am sad for his family and the man.
March 17th, 2012 at 9:03 am
@34 – Real Infantryman also don’t spell like a 13 yr old girl texting her BFF.
Nobody here has convicted him….but even you must realize that the evidence is stacked against him.
March 17th, 2012 at 9:36 am
To those Soldiers that served with SSG Bales, and have commented in defense of his record, Thank You. That is something that has been missing.
The information known about the incident looks pretty damning at the moment. As someone pointed out, it looked pretty damning in Haditha too. Despite the courts martial that have cleared those in that case, many still cite Haditha as a crime.
SSG Bales must be given the benefit of the doubt, ie. that he is Innocent, until PROVEN guilty.
In the released picture, he does appear to be jacked up. A properly adjusted chin strap isn’t just for appearances. It effects the comfort of the Soldier wearing it and the effectiveness of the retention of the Helmet during physical activities and battle. And a chin strap that jacked up (as well as the grenade spoon retention system use, which again does not work in a physical environment) DOES present the appearance of an unprofessional, unexperienced Troop. Perhaps, that is why this picture was chosen for release.
As to the eyepro on the IOTV, sideplates, groin & neck protectors, yeah, that’s petty a** Chandler style nitpicking and Dempsey style risk aversion.
If short haircuts and starched Battle uniforms were what made Warriors, Drill Sergeants, not Special Opertation Forces, would be the go to Soldiers when a pirate or terrorist leader needed to be taken out.
The character statements presented in this thread, on SSG Bale’s behalf, present a very different picture than that presented by the media.
The murder of women and children MUST be condemned. The culprit who murdered them in the night deserves the harshest of punishments, even if he were Mother Teresa to that point.
But SSG Bales also MUST be given the benefit of a fair trial. Given the information currently available, it doesn’t look good for a finding of innocence, but we don’t have all the information. Hell, I have seen MSM reports that said he was SF, before his name was even reported.
March 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am
So maybe the lesson for now is: gather all possible data, analyze the available data, then comment? Does a civilian female have to remind you to use more logic and less emotion?
March 17th, 2012 at 9:59 am
There’s some heavy trolling going on in this thread. I know it’s a small army and all and this blog is getting more and more popular, but there’s quite a few people here claiming to have served with this guy. Better be careful, TAH has a knack for smoking out the poseurs.
March 17th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Sorry, Nobunny, but we’re mostly professional soldiers, and first impressions last with us. I don’t take much stock in civilians’ and privates’ comments when it comes to military bearing because neither understand the term. This is an opinion blog, I express mine and my readers express theirs. The only way we have to consider him innocent until proven otherwise is if one of us end up on his jury.
March 17th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Fair enough. I’m out then.
March 17th, 2012 at 11:03 am
The Army Times website has a article up with his complete military history up. 11B, not 92Y, CIB, EIB, Sniper, appropriate NCOES for his pay grade. I am pretty shocked the army released this detailed of a rundown on this guys time in the service.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/03/army-staff-sgt-robert-bales-named-suspect-afghan-killings-031712w/
March 17th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Seemed to be on track for a good Infantry career.
March 17th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Every man has his breaking point. Some break harder than others. Prayers out for him,his family, and his unit.
March 17th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
He’s not sf not a supply Sgt he’s a freakin infantry sniper chodes I served under him not but two years ago
March 17th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
This shit has happened before, and will again.
March 17th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I’m not mentioning names but right now is the time to circle the wagons and protect one of our own because it seems like everyone else is doing everything they can to rip him apart. The media is Going to do everything they can to use this as an endictment against all of us and the more we turn our backs on SSG Bales right now the more we will give them ammo. At this point who knows if he is even guilty? Give the guy the benefit of the doubt.
And as a side note next cheese dick that invokes the name of SMA Chandler needs to go ahead and kick themselves in the nuts.
March 17th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
“And as a side note next cheese dick that invokes the name of SMA Chandler needs to go ahead and kick themselves in the nuts.”
Concur
March 17th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Prayers for him?
Seriously?
I get the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ thing, but sorry I’m not going to pray for anyone, I don’t care what nationality, that executes in cold blood women and children.
No excuse for that. What if it was your daughter, wife, mother, child?
March 17th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
I wish the best of luck to this Soldier, he is a great Soldier and was my battle at WLC. Good Luck to him and his family.
March 17th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
All you guys bitching on here about uniform standards must not be combat arms. Really guys? Come on, there are way more important things to worry about then an ach helmet. SSG Bales has seen more combat at NTC then some of you guys on a deployment. Get real pogs.
March 17th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@56 – After that stellar example of jackassery, where you impugn the service of people you know nothing about, I don’t think anybody here gives a shit if you and Bales held hands and took long walks on the beach.
Trial in the court of public opinion sucks, but if he’s guilty [and I don't see any mitigating circumstances], then he’s an oxygen thieving piece of shit.
March 17th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
First,
If you have been to combat, as an INFANTRYMAN(not a cook, or supply, or a truck driver like probably the majority of those who are posting dumb shit on here about ssg bales) Then you know that all it takes is random local to go complain about something, or say that they saw and their property got damaged and theyll get cut a check, smh…its called a micro grant… the point im trying to make is that since we have enganged in this war, the objective has been to win the hearts and the minds…So Was the Afgan look out lieing? i dont know…did he kill them? i dont know… all i know for sure is who ssg bales was, and how he squared me away anytime i needed anything… i dont know about you, but i take the infantrymans creed, as well as the warrior ethos pretty seriously . I can recall a similar incident where the “pesh” jundee just started firing their weapons at dogs and claiming they were taking fire… we got all spun up and responded under the impression that we were taking fire…later we found out that it was just a distraction so that they could steal our ammo from the AHA…anyway they are a vindictive people…im pretty sure the charges will get dropped and he will go back home to his wife and kids eventually…mark my words…
March 17th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
its about time some of those fucks start dying… are you forgetting how man GOOD AMERICANS HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THOSE FUCKS?!?! 57…I dont want to hear shit from you if you arent in the infantry…and kill yourself if you dont have a ranger tab…HOOAH?!
March 17th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Your words are duly marked. Screw the ANP guard, how about the aerostat footage of Bales coming back to the compound, alone and just after the killings?
How about DoD’s statement of Bales saying “I did it”?
I’m all for benefit of the doubt, but someone’s going to have to produce some serious mitigation before that can be applied.
March 17th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
#60 was me….on a different computer.
March 17th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@59 – I’m sorry…I would have responded to your previous piost if I knew you were a dipshit poseur. You aren’t worthy of the blue cord, nor the tab.
March 17th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Above should read “wouldn’t have responded to your previous post….”
#$#% Tablet……
March 17th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
In the context that FoxMG wrote… I took it to mean that he took it upon himself to relax protective gear standards while outside the wire. There is rarely a reason for it… there are circumstances when meeting with local nationals and ANA/ANP/IA/IP that you would shake hands without the glove and possibly take your eyepro off. Roger, got it. I use strong words because lax leadership in extreme cases has lead to problems that have effected the entire war. It starts with not shaving, or taking off a groin protector, or not wearing a seatbelt, then soldiers see what else they can get away with and eventually horrible things are happening and the leadership is scrambling to figure out how this could happen. It doesn’t take an expert to know that if you instill discipline with the small, seemingly insignificant things the bigger things will fall into place. #34 and #56. I get that you are proud of being Infantry but the sense of entitlement has gotten out of hand. All I ever hear is bitching and moanin from the Infantry these days… POG this, POG that. I have been a medic in an Infantry unit my whole career and I am not of the crowd that thinks they are all stupid… but they aren’t all smart either. Do you really think that being Infantry gives you some sort of sixth sense that allows you to sniff out a conspiracy? How about you GET REAL.
March 17th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Duke you lost all credibility from me when you invoked the name of the SMA, so sorry…yeah you are the cheese dick I was referring to.
March 17th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Ok, Duke, did you seriously just say not shaving leads to horrible things (killing Afghan civilians)? I would fathom a guess that it is not one of the criteria the FBI uses to profile murderers. By that logic I should have gone over the deep end a while ago since I only shave every few days now that I am out. Shaving, haricuts, groin protectors, seatbelts and eyepro are not the difinitve mark of a good soldier. It is the soldier’s knowledge of their MOS and their AO when in theater that matters. Was wearing my pt belt while passing through bagram really going to change the outcome of the war? Save the shaving and haircuts for garrison. While I do agree that the current crop of young Americans are far too self entitled I also do not think that it has any relevance in this conversation. There are idiots in every MOS. I don’t believe this event is some sort of conspiracy, but suggesting the SSG’s actions were put in to motion by his not obeying the army standards in a couple photos is rediculous. To do something like that there has to be some thing far more traumatic in his past than getting yelled at by someone like you for having the audacity to go to the DFAC at KAF without shaving.
March 17th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Remember, some bag of dicks thought reflective belts was a good idea too.
The uniformity mindset can be lobotomizing.
March 17th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
I can’t believe all the postings and arguing about uniform standards and this guys helmet based off ONE picture from NTC. It seems like alot of people are passing judgement or making preconcived notions based on one little pic. If my worth as a Soldier and promotions were based on pictures, I would never have gotten past PFC.
And why didn’t the Army release his DA photo or ‘yearbook picture’ taken before deployment? I might be a wee bit paranoid, but I can’t shake the feeling that someone wanted the worst possible picture of this guy out in public.
This is not comparable to the group that raped a girl and slaughtered a family in Baghdad. This was an experienced professional, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the shredders at mental health in Madigan ran late the night his name was announced. But I’ll leave what he did or didn’t do and the consequences of his actions to his court-martial.
And wouldn’t it be nice if Obama told Karzai where to stick it when Karzai raises heck about turning the SSG over for Afghan ‘justice’? Afhan Soldiers that shoot us and get captured are turned over to the Afghan Army and are never mentioned again.
March 17th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
At this point there is too much BS surrounding this that I am hesitant to even believe he did it. I’ll be damned if I am going to convict him over a photo taken at NTC, because I have a few choice stupid photos of myself taken at NTC. Once again I am not going burn a brother yet…if you want to do that Claymore puts links up to DU every Tuesday they are doing a pretty good job of doing it over there.
March 17th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Just plain Jason… I could care less what you think about my credibility. I used him as a reference to the toxic leadership in the Army. Do I agree with everything that comes out of his mouth? No. I educate myself best I can on current topics in my profession. Calling me a cheese dick doesn’t hurt my feelings because when push comes to shove you only said that because you are in the comfort of your home… so it’s irrelevant. Ahem. John, it’s a progression of lack of discipline that leads to more extreme things. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cause_and_effect
So it’s ok with you if your soldiers go out and shoot up heroine on the weekends as long as they know their MOS and are familiar with the AO in Theater? You obviously can’t comprehend common Army values and themes. I just gave some examples of where it starts. I’ve gotten off topic and I apologize… but I already said my piece on SSG Bales. He could be the greatest soldier ever up until the moment he makes a decision like this. This isn’t just on him… It makes us all look bad during a time in which people already think we are over there just mercilessly killing everyone we come across. Once again… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cause_and_effect
March 17th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Ok duke, once again you are jumping to extreme conclusions. I said nothing about drug use. Obviously that is something soldiers must be punished and discharged for doing. But not shaving or taking eyepro off does not mean drug use is in the soldier’s future. Copying and pasting that wiki link doesn’t do anyhthing to prove your point either. Cause and effect is like the kid who is neglected by his parents kills neighborhood pets and grows up to be a serial killer. Not the joe who didn’t shave every morning in Afghanistan goes on to be a drug user or a mass murderer. Your attitude to what matters in the army is why many great, disciplined, and motivated soldiers get out before they really should. Dealing with people like you gets old. I do, in fact, have the ability to comprehend common army values and themes. I also have, which I believe you probably lack, the ability to realize when and where certain standards are applicable and when they don’t need to be harped on. It is not as black and white as either being a good soldier or being a non-shaving, non-eyepro wearing, sideburn having, drug using murderer. Get ahold of yourself.
It is unfortunate that the public is going to take this instance and group all veterans and current servicemen into this loony category.
I am sorry J.M., and dissapointed that this thread has moved to petty stuff and not the known facts at hand. Regardless of the innocence or guilt of this man we should really wait before speculating about his motives. His fate needs to be determined by a military court and not a civilian or Afghan one.
March 17th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
SoldierNssgbalesunit: you might want to “lurk” here for a while before you make sweeping statements concerning others who comment here. To my knowledge, there are at least 3 folks who regularly comment here who have a CIB (and likely many more), at least one with a CMB (and likely more), and God only knows how many with a CAB. A large number if not most of those who post here have “been there, done that” – either in Afghanistan or Iraq (or both), in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, or in Vietnam.
You have every right to voice your opinion and defend your friend and former colleague. But do it without personal attacks on people you don’t know a damn thing about.
And based on what I’ve seen so far, it isn’t looking good for SSG Bales. Right now, it looks like he very likely was the one who did the deed – and that it was done in cold blood.
March 17th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
@Hondo:
Well said to the troll. And you’re right about SSG Bales. Except I disgree about it being in cold blood. The Stryker ‘kill team’ were cold blooded. This seems very different. My take is that alot of bad things happened to him in a very short period of time and he possibly snapped and did what he’s accused of doing. I’m not defending his alleged actions, I’m pointing out the difference between what he’s accused of the other other events that have come to light and painted the Army badly.
And on the subject of standards; I’m all for enforcing standards. But when some posts have ‘shaving patrols’ and the new 670-1 has a block instructing Soldiers that they HAVE to wear belts while in civ clothes (if the pants have belt loops), then obviously common-sense isn’t part of the standard and someone (or a group of people) in the 5-sided puzzle palace needs a urinalysis.
A SGT in my BN had a troop caught at midnight at the shopette on a work day unshaven (or more accurately, not freshly shaven, the Soldier put in a 12 hour day). The next weekend, his SGT had to accompany the courtesy patrol into town and ensure that all the Soldiers he encountered were freshly shaven as corrective training for not enforcing the standard with his Soldier.
And a leader should know that there are times when it’s best not to enforce a standard. Sacriligous, I know. But I can probably think of 2 or 3 examples I’ve encountered in the past 16 years right off the top of my head. My last deployment, I was responsible for the gate guards at a camp. The uniform standard for guard duty included gloves at all times. Have you ever seen a Soldier try to operate those tiny tough books for the scanner or BATS/HIDES using gloves? So I let them remove gloves when using the keyboards to scan the local workers in. Did it violate the uniform standard? Yes it did. But it also was smarter and faster then watching Joe finger fumbling the keyboard and making errors.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind—accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. IMO, Blindly enforcing standards is not compatable with that statement.
What we are seeing now is the result of years of Army leadership using the old saying “we can’t take away from the standard, but we can add to it”. Nobody ever slapped down Co and BN commanders from adding silly or unrealistic standards and now those Co and BN Cdrs are Generals and making this crap Army-wide.
Wow, OK. Getting off the soap box now (and thinking about switching to decaf).
March 17th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Gonna drop in a couple thoughts. First to those who claim to have served with the SSG…the only people I’ve seen trolling or making disparaging comments have been those not regular posters. For the most part, the regulars have been more of the “wait and see” mentality. Second, while the media has a habit of jumping on every little thing and getting shit horribly wrong on more than one occasion, they are going by what DoD is telling them. If the fact are mostly straight, it ain’t looking good for him at this point.
And I could give two shits about his chinstrap.
March 17th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Just to add my two cents…I guess because I rolled my sleeves and never bloused my boots while out on patrol I guess I do heroin and so do my soldiers.
March 17th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
JM: Well said. Only point of contention I have is that I do see this as rather cold-blooded; the second village convinces me of that. But I could well be wrong. I’m no shrink.
Regarding your point about meaningless chickenshit often getting priority: agree totally. The Army seems to do a helluva lot of stuff for show in order to “impress” vice to enhance military effectiveness. Sometimes it seems to me that not only has the leadership confused the baby with the bathwater, but that sometimes they consider the bathwater more important.
March 17th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Not that you trolls give a shit, but….Stand down. “Innocent until proven guilty” is the law. Let this work itself out instead of rolling over here, typing yer garbage and leaving. Fuck sticks…..
March 17th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Some of the false information reported by the MSM: that Bales had lost part of a foot and had TBI, that he was SF.
Someone asked why this photo, instead of his DA Photo, was released. Good question.
Again, I won’t convict with the limited information available, but that information does look damning. And the person who killed women in children in the night deserves the harshest punishment we have on the books.
BTW: He currently has a bed at Ft Leavenworth.
March 17th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Regarding the accuracy of released information:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/03/army-staff-sgt-robert-bales-named-suspect-afghan-killings-031712w/
I do not see any listing for Purple Heart (I suspect that there should be two) and no personal awards with a combat distinguishing device (I’m guessing that he has at least one). So why aren’t they listed?
March 18th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Damn insomnia, I need to correct my last post to say former soldier. Unfortunately (fortunately if you ask my wife) I am no longer in the army.
I am going to bow out of this on the parting though of don’t judge unless you are ready to be judged yourself. Hell I know that if a random pic of me was put up it could be either picked apart or thought it looks pretty cool depending on the context. Up until the incident SSG Bales sounds like a stand up guy. I’m not ready to throw him under a bus and I don’t think most us are. The media is playing this from their angle and it sounds like the people who know him are standing up for him. Shit talkers are going to talk shit plain and simple. I have to make a trip up to the VA in Leavenworth so I’ll see if the hippies are protesting and make a report.
March 18th, 2012 at 3:01 am
#76 Hondo:
Yep. What you said.
To reiterate another’s words on this thread, something went terribly wrong and I’m praying for everyone involved, including the families here in America and in A-Stan.
March 18th, 2012 at 4:05 am
From the army times article:
“[Bales] is being held in pre-trial confinement at the Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility, where he will be in placed special housing in his own cell. He is one of about a dozen soldiers held in pre-trial confinement at the facility.”
Wow! Can you believe that?! This guy is SOOO lucky!!
What if instead of smoking a few kids, women, and men on a 4th(!) deployment to a super shithole for shitty pay, stupid medals*, and permanent injuries….
What if he had, like, REALLY snapped… Ya know, in a way that makes you disseminate hundreds of thousands of pointless, POINTLESS after-action reports of incidents in theater to the public, or maybe some videos that show folks getting killed….
Ya know, ’cause if he had done that, he would’ve been straight up motherfucking TORTURED, like, forced to be naked, fore medicated, forced to give a verbal response every five fucking minutes, long-term total sensory deprivation, no pillow or blanket, all in a CIA torture tank in Quantico for over a YEAR…. All without even being convicted of a crime….
Man… he was lucky all he did was smoke a few locals. Children. Women. Men.
Lucky.
Ya know, TAH should turn this into an awareness campaign for all servicepersons…. Like this:
“Military service got ya down? Are the stresses of the general combat atmosphere becoming overwhelming? Have you found that archetypal “good leadership” to only exist within your peer circle, and not in the actual institution of the military itself?
Well, whatever you do…. DON’T YOU EVER THINK ABOUT FUCKIN’ THE MAN (cue knife hands) YOU HEAR ME SHITBAG!”
Or something along those lines. I mean, our women and men in uniform need to know that vast consequential dynamics between jeopardizing the general public apathy towards lucrative, illegal wars and killing a shit ton of children, women , and men for no goddamn good reason.
__________________________________________________________________
War crimes do not occur on the battlefield, they occur on paper, War crimes are committed by business suites, not combat boots.
*Yup, I said. And I got my CIB-11B Baghdad ’06-’07 JSS Casino.
Two Time Medal of Honor recipient USMC Major General Smedley D. Butler taught me about medals in his five chapter book, War Is A Racket.
The prudent reader will google the PDF and read it right now.
March 18th, 2012 at 4:33 am
^The taliban blew up 9 children, 4 women and 2 men with a roadside bomb not more than 24 hours after this incident. Where’s your outrage now fuckstick?
March 18th, 2012 at 6:09 am
@52 “right now is the time to circle the wagons and protect one of our own”… Plain Jason…are you serious? A soldier who goes out on a killing spree? That has got to be one of the craziest posts I’ve read in a long time. Screw the picture, screw his background and screw the mantra “Innocent until proven guilty.” The “INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY” is for a courtroom and I’m not in court as I post this. There are weaker soldiers than Bales who have seen and gone through a lot more than he… and did not (chose not?) to go outside the wire and kill-murder unarmed indigenous civilians. Over the years, I’ve learned that trying to fit a crazy puzzle never works… one cannot completely comprehend-explain crazy behavior… that is for the second guessers (lawyers and psychiatrists. I refuse to circle a wagon and protect this murderer, in fact I condemn him. This is not a case rush of judgment nor a trial by media but just plain facts… more facts will come out later… it always does. As for the other soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are serving, I circle my own wagon every day and gladly protect and honor them.
March 18th, 2012 at 6:37 am
streetsweeper: Beretverde has it right above re: innocent until proven guilty. It applies in court – not here on this forum. Opinions are indeed like assholes: everybody has one, and most stink. But the First Amendment allows them to be expressed. Mine hasn’t changed: based on what info has been released so far, it doesn’t look good for the young man right now.
JustPlainJason: Circle the wagons my ass. We did that after My Lai. That’s the main reason Calley was the only one in Americal leadership to go to jail, and why he only served 3 1/2 years home confinement before being pardoned. And My Lai was organized slaughter rather than an individual soldier on a killing spree, and was at least 10x worse than this incident – literally.
@82: You’ve drunk way too much of the kool-aid, dipstick. Our enemies approve of your mindless drivel above. Just STFU.
Oh, and by the way: you’re an asshole, and an idiot as well.
March 18th, 2012 at 7:19 am
@58/59: Ok, now we’re moving from “you guys clearly aren’t military” to now “unless you are/were infantry”. Keep changing the standard as trolls do and we will start ignoring anything you have to say. I suppose medics that go into combat don’t count, either? Maybe you can tell that to Doc Bailey or Sporkmaster, who have probably seen more shit than you could imagine. Another thing; do bullets fired at infantry differ from those fired at truck drivers/supply/cooks/admin? Maybe you can tell a good friend of mine that the IED that blew up the HUMVEE he was in wasn’t that bad because he wasn’t infantry. I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear that, since it only cost him his career and a 9 month stay in the hospital and rehab as he was fighting to stay in but was medically retired. Try thinking before you pull the “infantry g-d” status out next time.
March 18th, 2012 at 9:12 am
@82–Go to your Supply NCO and grab the following:
“Bag, Dicks, Fat. Unit of issue: EA.”
Take your MRE heater, warm it up, and have at it.
Sincerely,
Never earned a CIB, don’t give a shit I didn’t.
Oh, and mentioning Butler around here pretty much proves you’re a fucktard.
March 18th, 2012 at 11:47 am
AndyFMF: The Navy and USMC use the V device differently than the Army and USAF.
The Navy and USMC use the V device as a combat distinguishing device for the Commendation Medal, Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit. However, the Army and USAF use the V device only on the Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star; it is not used on the LOM. And in the Army and USAF, the V device is used on these two awards to identify an award made for a specific act of heroism, not to indicate an award granted for circumstances or service involving personal participation in combat.
Further, it’s also possible that SSG Bales doesn’t have any Purple Hearts. If his previous injuries in-theater were not directly attributable to enemy action – e.g., were the result of a vehicle accident not caused by enemy action or resulted from a negligent discharge incident, for example – then he wouldn’t qualify for the Purple Heart.
March 18th, 2012 at 11:51 am
And before our trolls say anything: no, I’m not alleging that SSG Bales is not entitled to any Purple Hearts, was involved in any non-combat accident, or was involved in any negligent discharge incident. I’m only explaining how someone can be significantly injured while “downrange” and not rate a Purple Heart.
March 18th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Old Trooper: fully agree. Yes, the Infantry has it rougher than most – probably the roughest. But they don’t operate in a vacuum, either. Just like everyone else, the Infantry needs the proverbial “beans, bullets, and band-aids” – as well as info – or they can’t do much effectively, or for long. And as you pointed out, bullet and shrapnel certainly don’t avoid Soldiers/Sailors /Airmen/Marines just because they’re don’t have an Infantry MOS.
March 18th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Hondo Beretverede I am glad I have not been accused of a crime because I can tell where you guys stand in that area.
March 18th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Just Plain Jason: I doubt you know where I stand on anything, youngster.
As I’ve said repeatedly: IF – and that’s one BIG if – SSG Bales is tried and found guilty, he should be absolutely hammered (just like Calley and others should have been hammered after My Lai, but weren’t). If he’s tried and found innocent, he should go absolutely free. As I recall that’s kinda the way our justice system, including the UCMJ, works.
I will also say – for at least the third time – that AT THIS POINT (caps intentional) it doesn’t look good very for SSG Bales. What’s been made public so far is quite damning, and leads me to believe – based on what I’ve seen to date – that he’s probably guilty.
But as I’ve also said repeatedly, my opinion is based on what’s been made public; I have no inside info on this incident. My opinion could well be wrong. And since I’m not going to be serving on his jury, my opinion regarding his guilt or innocence won’t affect his trial one damn bit.
I’ll make one other statement: if you were on trial, you probably would want me on your jury if you’re innocent. I tend to “pull threads” and question pretty much everything, including my own previous opinions as well as how I arrived at them. And when making serious decisions I try my damnedest to get them right – even when it means admitting I was previously out to lunch.
March 18th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Don’t call me a youngster I am just like you another worn out fucking tool in the shed.
Quit reversing your fucking opinions and fucking say one thing or another. The guy is innocent until proven guilty. He has a pretty damn good record up until this incident. Right now he has enough people hammering him from all angles he doesn’t need his fellow veterans doing the same damn thing. So maybe I chose the wrong goddamn phrase when I said circle the wagons, but right now the upper leadership is pretty goddamn content to toss him to freaking wolves.
Berverde was talking shit on the guy because he didn’t sign up to be a part of a peacetime army, well sorry I was in a peacetime army for a while and I wasn’t a fan. So I got out until after we invaded Iraq and joined specifically to go to Iraq. Does that make me a shitty human being? Not everyone joins right out of high school, don’t specualte or talk shit until you know what you are talking about.
March 18th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Just Plain Jason: unless you’re north of the half-century mark, I’ve frankly got standing to call you “youngster”. But since that seems to bother you, I’ll refrain.
You seem to be unable to grasp the difference between individual opinion and legal principle here. Let me attempt to clarify the difference for you.
In our legal system, SSG Bales is indeed considered legally innocent until proven guilty. However, my personal opinion isn’t a legal proceeding. Something – I believe it’s called the First Amendment, you might have heard of it – guarantees each of us the freedom to his/her own opinion, and to voice same. My personal opinion has absolutely no bearing on Bales’ legal innocence or guilt. I’m just a citizen voicing his/her opinion on an matter of public interest.
Further: if you re-read what I’ve written on this subject, you’ll find no contradictions therein. Yes, I’ve stated that it looks to me like Bales is likely guilty. But as I’ve also clearly stated, that opinion is based solely on information that’s been made public to date. I’ve also said that IF he’s found guilty, he deserves whatever he gets – and that he should walk if he’s found innocent.
What I have NOT done is to declare him guilty – or innocent. Why? Because I haven’t seen the evidence myself. And neither have you.
If the information that’s been released to date about this incident is incorrect or incomplete, as I’ve repeatedly stated above it’s possible that Bales is innocent. If he is, it won’t be the first time I’ve made an initial assessment of a situation based on partial information and come to the wrong conclusion based on same. I’d guess you have as well, probably more than a few times during your lifetime. It’s called “being human”.
If I were on Bales courts-martial panel or the presiding judge of same, you’d have reason to be concerned about me expressing my opinions here. But since I won’t be either judging Bales or running his trial, my opinion won’t affect his trial one iota.
You have every right to express your opinion on this matter, and you have. So do I – and I have. What you don’t have is the right to try to silence opinions that are contrary to yours. That’s precisely what you’re trying to do above by saying he already has enough problems and doesn’t need his fellow veterans “hammering on him”.
You don’t like what I say here? Then feel free to debate me. Point out where you think I’m wrong, or where I’ve contradicted myself. I’ll be man enough to admit I goofed if you can prove I have.
But don’t tell me that I should shut up and not voice my opinion because you don’t happen to like what I say. Don’t even go there. You don’t have that right.
March 18th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Hondo, Lets not speculate on shit we don’t know about, that is all I have said period. There is tons of speculation going on out there let asshats speculate. You know this site is going to get schmucks of the highest order coming here and focusing on us and what we say. Don’t you think I have my own thoughts on what happened and the possibilities what could have went down that night? I am not going to put them out there and I am not going to run this guy down for doing what he may or may not have done. This is just bringing back a lot of memories of Haditha for me.
Hondo how is this we are pretty much regulars on this site and generally we tend to respect each other so if I refrain from calling you an old timer you don’t call me a youngster, because I don’t think either title fits properly.
March 18th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Just Plain Jason: Agreed. We’ll doubtless have to agree to disagree again at times in the future – just as we have here – but we can indeed be civil about it.
March 18th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
I was a 11D/11B and did over 20 in one piss ant dispute or another on foreign soil.
I really feel for those and their families who are still deploying or have done their final deployment.
The new VA grave yard in my town (near Fort Knox) is filling far too rapidly and it breaks my heart every time traffic is stopped for one of our brothers in arms.
Many posting here have clearly never seen action, or lived with the aftermath. That’s OK. Better if you don’t. No offense meant.
Please take all the remarks about the current Sergeant Major of the Army out of here. Most here could care less about him.
As for the soldier in question, I hope he gets a fair trial. He has a good attorney from what I have read.
I for one, will donate to his Defense legal fund when/if his family starts one.
Could someone post the link here when it is established?
March 19th, 2012 at 5:38 am
@93 “Beretverde was talking shit on the guy because he didn’t sign up to be a part of a peacetime army” …Wow… that surely is a leap and a jump to conclusions. That statement in itself would definitely get you struck from a jury pool!
… “he has enough people hammering him from all angles he doesn’t need his fellow veterans doing the same damn thing.” I disagree with that “comment”. I personally have a thing against people going out on a killing spree of unarmed civilians, veterans or not.
March 19th, 2012 at 5:58 am
Well, it didn’t take long for the media to start pounding the PTSD drum regarding this incident and individual.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2012/0318/Sgt.-Robert-Bales-Defense-team-begins-building-case-on-PTSD
March 19th, 2012 at 7:08 am
seriously, leave the man alone. it is so easy to judge. the man served our country protecting the american way of life. the least that we can give him is just to shut up. he sacrifice so much for america and giving him hateful judgement is not helping him at all. and for those who have the audacity to say how fucked up this man is, F you all! you don’t now how it is in the war zone. and on top of that, the awards that he was snatched away from him added up to his disappointments. he has served back to back tour give this man a break and just pray for him and his family.
March 19th, 2012 at 8:19 am
jeff: Many if not most of those commenting at TAH do indeed know what it’s like in a war zone – see my comment #72 above. So playing the “you don’t understand” card ain’t gonna fly here.
March 19th, 2012 at 9:01 am
For those visitors who land on this post straight from the search engines without investigating who they’re talking to, and want to criticize us for our opinions, read my response here.
March 19th, 2012 at 11:55 am
I was in his unit (2-3inf) he has served the multiple tours. I spent the 2009-2010 tour in Iraq with him. He was in the scout/sniper section. This picture is from an even older deployment. Not too many of the scouts wore their combat patches. He was actually a very good – disciplined – looked up to NCO. I was just as suprised to hear he was responsible for this as anyone else that knew him. It’s sad what had happened, and it’s going to be unfortunate for which ever retaliation is caused by this. He abused a lot of international issues by doing the disturbing crime, and he will get the justice that he has coming to him.
March 19th, 2012 at 11:57 am
He is wearing miles gear – which says this photo is from NTC of 2009. When 2-3in went to NTC PRIOR TO THIS CURRENT DEPLOYMENT – they were in multi-cam
March 19th, 2012 at 11:59 am
And on the 2010 accident – I don’t recall that happening to him at all. I was there, and we sustained no signifigant combat related injuries
March 19th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Quit making excuses for this poor example of a human being. It can’t be his fault because he snapped due to his constant deployment schedule. What about all the thousands of others that frequently rotate to the Middle East and don’t snap? Also the jacked up chin strap demonstrates that this NCO had a lack of discipline. He probably wasn’t even qualified to enlist in the Army under normal circumstances. He likely got in when the Army lowered it’s enlistment standards and scraped the bottom of the barrel.
March 19th, 2012 at 11:00 pm
In reference to my remarks in 106, the whole thing is tragically sad. If he did indeed commit these crimes, it is a shame that it came to this. There is a part of me that can’t help, but feel horrible for him and my heart goes out to his fellow soldier and especially his family.
March 19th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
“His awards were snatched away”? Really? Wow.
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:05 am
Its ridiculous reading through all these comments from people that dont even know the man. I can only count about 5 people that commented that actually knew the man. Nick (formerly Sgt Smith)I agree with you ten fold. Its sad that this has happened, especially to someone we knew well and were close to. Bales was the go-to guy. He knew his shit and got the job the done the best way he knew how. I’d go to hell and back with the man anytime. Reguardless whether he did anything or not. He will still be an outstanding Father, husband, soldier, and friend.
So, instead of going off on tangents that dont have anything to do with forum, just sit back on your couch and watch the news. Thats pretty much all your good for. Everybody else thinkign they are know-it-all’s on the military or SSG Bales, your not, F.Y.I. thought I’d let you know. Last time I checked we stood behind fellow Americans, regurdless of the outcome of a sitsuation.
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:32 am
Did anyone tell SSG Bales to stand behind his fellow Americans before he went completely off the reservation? Do you honestly believe his actions helped any of us still over here? If he went on a safari for actual trigger pullers,bomb makers,etc., and didn’t SLAUGHTER innocent women and children, then you may have a point. Like I said before, one mistake erases a lifetime of good deeds.
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:58 am
Hey guys, I personally served with SSG Bales for 3+ years. He did indeed deploy multiple times, he was a decorated combat vet with a wealth of knowledge. He was an amazing noncommissioned officer as well as a great soldier and family man. Look beyond the media fed news “facts” and look at the man. He wasn’t stated as being SF, but he was indeed attached with an SF unit in Afghanistan. Please have respect for a genuine American soldier for his past deeds, and do not judge him for the actions that he is now disputably responsible for. The FACTS, if you cared to look deep enough were that a fellow soldier in his unit had lost his leg the day before, and that there are a few reports of multiple military members in the villages the night of the “massacre” and that poor judgment, possible alcohol use, and PTSD are all factors that may be getting covered up in the mass of non-military/veteran pushed accusations and judgments being pressed upon a man who at one point in his life wrote a check to Uncle Sam for the amount of “up to and including his life.”
This man would give his very life for his comrades without thinking, so please, before you decide to judge him, look at what you have done, what you would do in his situation, as well as the sacrifices he has made in his life to ensure we have the freedom to post these words on a public domain.
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:18 am
And as an apology to some of the people in this forum, I realize that a number of you have experience, have been there, done that, but a number here haven’t. I will admit, I didn’t read each and every post prior to posting my first response. However, as a member of his unit, having served in his company, and talked with him on a nearly daily basis, SSG Bales was and is a good guy. I stand behind him, as do the other people here who have served with him, Martin, Nick Smith, FoxMG, SoldierNSSGbalesuni, and Doc J.
“First to Fight”
March 25th, 2012 at 12:40 am
“Do you honestly believe his actions helped any of us still over here?”
Yeah; if his actions result in getting all you pulled out of that quagmire earlier than otherwise Bales will have indirectly saved many of you alls lives!
Bales gave up his life, all his hopes, all his dreams, for you. For you.
March 25th, 2012 at 2:07 am
#113, thats the biggest crock of horseshit I ever heard. Now go get your head removed from your ass promptly before you hurt yourself.
June 1st, 2012 at 8:40 pm
[...] against Bales amended June 1st, 2012 Dominick sends us a link from CNN which reports that SSG Robert Bales, the guy who murdered a bunch of Afghans in the early hours several weeks ago, has had the charges [...]
June 20th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Just so you know this guy was my PSG in my last unit and the guy knew his shit. He was deployed multiple times and has seen and done more than most of the coward americans sitting at home talking shit about him. There isn’t a single one of you who can say a word about what he feels or thinks unless you have been deployed and watch your buddies die. This aint call of duty. So unless you can put up and fight for your country then shut up.