DoD Corrects an Error
Everyone who serves in the military – well, everyone except those literally dumb enough to qualify as “rocks with lips” – knows that it’s a dangerous job. The Pale Horse and his Rider are constant companions; sometimes they’re near at hand, and sometimes they’re far in the distance. But they’re always there.
Those serving accept this. All they ask is that, should the worst happen, they be taken care of properly and given their due.
Most of the time, DoD does that. But sometimes DoD stumbles. (Don’t get me started on Fort Hood.)
That’s why it’s incredibly heartening to see this:
Marine corporal is reclassified as 1st to die in Operation Inherent Resolve
Rest in peace, Cpl Spears. It took a while, but DoD got their act together regarding your demise.
Category: Blue Skies, Military issues, Veterans Issues
Oorah!
Were these stalwart young warriors instructed to ditch by the aircraft commander ?
Not really relevant, is it? Sounds like the aircraft commander had more important things to do at the time than talking on the intercom.
Don’t know how it is now, but back in the day, Marines were taught to think and act as the situation warranted. And the Marine on the scene was the one who determined what the situation warranted.
I think it’s going to be very relevant in the JAGMAN investigation. I am not familiar with Osprey emergency procedures, but I find it doubtful that they’re given that kind of latitude to just jump out of the aircraft without specific instruction. If it’s determined that they were directed to jump without necessity, the aircraft commander will be held responsible for his death. If he jumped without authorization, then it is what it is and no one else is at fault. Every action that aircraft commander and his flight crew took will be scrutinized for the root cause of the incident and determination of possible culpability in the Marine’s death.
NavyCPORet.: I believe OldCorpsTanker72’s point was that either way, he’s still a Marine that died while supporting his nation during wartime operations. Whether that death was due to enemy action, avoidable accident, error, or act of God is not the issue at hand. The only way it might matter is if it were due to willful misconduct or dishonorable conduct.
It will indeed be a significant issue of for the Incident Board investigating his demise, but we weren’t discussing that aspect here.
+10000 Hondo! (is it ok if I call you that???)
He is a Marine. (WOW!) He died serving his country. Period. Everything else is extraneous detail. And bullshit. Ok yes I’m keeping score on the confession thingy.
RIP Cpl Spears. YOU went there. YOU served your country. And yes, YOU made a difference, simply because YOU chose chose to do this. I hope his family can just get peace from that.
Rest In Peace Cpl. Jordan L. Spears. God bless your family. Thank you for serving and thank you for giving your all. But words are not enough to express our gratitude.
What Sparks said, Rest in Peace, Corporal Spears.
“Jordan was assigned to Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. In July, he deployed with USS Makin Island to support U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
Besides his parents, Jordan leaves behind five siblings, including a twin. His father said he doesn’t know how they could get through this tough time without support from the Marine Corps. ‘“They say they’ll be with us as long as we need them and trust me, it’s a very difficult time,”’ Gregory said.”
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Marine-Lost-at-Sea-Was-Living-Dream-Father-278179221.html#ixzz3HYVwyPkl
I am sorry for the family’s loss. They are rightly proud of him. And so are we all. He was the first of his family to join the military. His father said that he was at the recruiter’s office while a 17-year-old high school senior. It was a dream of his to become a Marine. He realized his dream.
I want to know how the guy from 2/7 died in Baghdad.
LA Times said 5 days ago that LCpl Neal’s death in Baghdad was “under investigation”, FatCircles. I’m guessing it will be a while before details are released.
I want to know why the government is lying about troop levels in Iraq. 2/7 is part of SPMAGTF-CENTCOM. 2/7 is over 1,000 strong, so that kind of blows the 1,200 person limit out of the water.
Want to know why, AndyFMF?
Look at the calendar for next week. Specifically, at next Tuesday.
Exactly…..so where is the outrage? Where is the public outcry over units that have been formed, trained, and w with deployment orders in hand, but were quietly dispersed back to their parent units until after the election?
RIP shipmate.
Godspeed Marine. God bless the family as they deal with the loss of their Marine.
The only thing harder than being a Marine is being the family of a Marine (Military member)
Worry is the constant companion of military families and heartache the unwelcome visitor to the families of the Fallen. It’s one of those things we wish wasn’t true but is.
Rest In Peace, Warrior.
RIP, Marine!