Boy, I Hope These Reports are Wrong
Since both Fox News and the Daily Beast are already reporting this, I thought it was probably apropos to mention it here.
Recent reports indicate there may be more to the recent incident regarding 2 Navy SEALs and one Army Green Beret that happened in Mali. That incident left the Green Beret, SSG Logan J. Melgar, dead; Jonn’s written about the incident here.
That incident is now under investigation by NCIS as a homicide. Unfortunately, if recent reports concerning the incident from Fox News and the Daily Beast are correct the incident leading to SSG Melgar’s death may involve other criminal malfeasance as well.
Let me be clear that these latest allegations are not yet confirmed. All organizations concerned seem to be withholding official comment. That’s to be expected, since NCIS is still investigating the matter.
Still: the story is already out there. Read the linked stories if you’d like more details concerning the new allegations. I’ve got nothing further.
Category: Terror War, Who knows
I read about this last night… UFB if the allegations/reports are true.
From one of the linked stories: “This account is based on five members of the special-operations community who were not cleared to speak publicly.”
I wouldn’t have expected this from our Special Operations community. If there were a cover-up (“Bergdahl is a hero!”), that’s one thing, but what possible excuse is there for leaking details of an ongoing investigation like this?
The only thing that gives me pause in outright condemnation is that there are five leakers, not just one or two special snowflakes who think the rules don’t apply to them…
Because a fellow Green Beret was pissed that two corrupt SEALs were literally trying to get away with murder of one of his brothers?
This is the right answer…it’s always interesting to discover how many internal investigations find no wrongdoing….it reminds me of how often cops can’t find anything they’ve done wrong either, until a civil suit is filed and a huge sum awarded….then people find something that have been wrong.
” but what possible excuse is there for leaking details of an ongoing investigation like this?”
Possibly to prevent a cover-up.
Just opened up Mil. Times and it was mentioned that the Seals were pocketing money set up as a fund for paying informants for intel. SSG Melger mentioned to his wife that he was suspicious of the two Seals and that he would talk to her when he returned but never made it. This will come out later.
Incredibly FUBAR no matter how you look at it.
It makes sense and checks all the boxes.
The original story of “SSG Melgar died when engaged in drunken combatives training with two SEALs” was a joke.
If Harry Constance’s book Good To Go is accurate, this type of scam was being run in the Viet of Nam by certain CIA employees.
Whenever there is a lot of money and almost no accountability, some people will succumb to temptation, sadly. Killing a SF soldier over it would not be beyond belief, sadly.
I know of a guy who was one of the Air America Black Ops types who brought a duffel bag full of China White home. Apparently, because of the generally low key travel status of these guys, they didn’t go through Customs. So he just landed and went home.
And I completely concur re: Lots of cash and little to no accountability = REAL test of character. You either have integrity, or you find a way to rationalize your sin. Black and White, no Gray.
Military news has this as well and they are indicating it was a murder to coverup malfeasance…
This will leave a mark…
A Cliff Notes version is what likely triggered further investigation of Sgt. Melgar’s death is that an autopsy revealed no alcohol or drugs in his system. This was contrary to what the SEALs said at the time of the incident.
An issue that should also be giving pause is the question of why there was apparently a lot of cash around to bribe informants. It’s probably fair to say that a potential problem with paid intel is that it tends to tell you what you want to hear. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with providing compensation for information. The possible problem in Mali was how it was dispensed.
I can’t even
I think it was already done in “Basic Training”. I may be wrong, I was distracted by how much rain the director thought fell in Panama.
Jonn, the film you’re thinking of is probably “Basic” and not “Basic Training.”
That’s it. All I remember is the rain.
Interesting the official photo of a SSG green beret and his highest award is a GCM.
WAR STORY ALERT: During Nam’ I had a SOC green beret NCO friend who told me his job was to travel around the jungle with a suitcase full of money to buy info and support. Although there was no accountability on where that money went, his biggest offense was to use some to get laid occasion. I have no doubt things have not changed much since then and if it turns out the SEALs were pocketing some of this money it is a command failure for not having accountability.
I’m Sorry.. and what was your highest award?
When I was a SSgt it was the Air Force Commendation Medal.
When I was a TSgt it was the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
When I was a MSgt it was the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.
When I was a WO1 it was the German Army Shooting Award in Bronze.
When I was a CW2 it was the Army Commendation Medal.
When I was a CW2 it was the Army Meritorious Service Medal.
But my proudest medal was the coveted National Defense Service Medal.
Before you go off about no combat awards, all I can say is thank GOD. I was in Nam and Thailand.
Oh yes, as a DAF GS-13 civilian it was the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service and Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.
As a retiree it was the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service.
Coast Guard Auxiliary awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Achievement Medal with gold star and 16 Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Awards.
Any other questions?
Bingo.
Sad to say, but money and poontang have brought down even the strongest of men. And as much as our culture seems to pretend otherwise, SEALs and Green Berets are human, too, and are just as subject to human weaknesses.
Many Delta & SEAL Team six operators found out the hard way in the 1980s that the bottom line is no matter how “special” you are…big army & navy still owns your ass.
I have a distant cousin I connected with on face book who had a similar investigation going on in his unit (4th ID) back in 2003-2004 (?).
Apparently CID was investigating the dispersing of cash to local officials by US Government “officials”. My cousin’s unit, more specifically a squad he was in happened to be doing security during one of the deals that took place.
Even though he never had anything to do with it, and never got so much as questioned it still ended up almost fucking him over.
While they were starting the investigation he ended up getting a severe case of lung crud from staying in an old Iraqi Army Barracks that had mold in the Ventilation Ducts. He was medivaced out to Germany then send home to Fort Hood. While there he ended up dancing on his dick and getting admin sepped for Alcohol related incidents.
How he got fucked over was CID had pulled his 201 file and never returned it.
When he was sepped they made up a temp 201 file that only had Basic Training, ITS and his final duty station at it. His DD214 was a wreck as well. Being he was getting out ( and on bitter terms) he really didnt give a shit.
Fast forward about 10 years and his family begged him to go to the VA, because it was apparent to them he has issues.
He goes to the VA to file a claim and seek help and they basically tell him hes a poser and to pound sand.
Luckily he is still in touch with his old Company Commander, who still has all the by name orders for the company’s depolyment and awards ratholed away. He was able to present them to the VA and get treatment.
I’m surprised at how many readers on here have fallen for whatever story the media has put out, based on nothing but RUMINT rather than investigative matters.
The SEALS and(!) SSG Melgar had access to a lot of cash with very little accountability and no doubt some of it was used in a manner than it should. However, nothing in the current investigation suggests it was the cause or contributed to the death. Also, I note the media has failed to mention the SEALS performed live saving measures on the SSG and transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Yeah, well two members of Team 6 got sent home. I don’t think that’s a rumor. Command must have found enough to pull the ejection handle. Y’know like maybe not being truthful w/ their superiors about SSG Melgar consuming alcohol – damn you mean the autopsy revealed NO alcohol in the system? Doh! (oh sorry, that must be a rumor).
I was referring to the RUMINT on the death revolving around allegations of improperly disbursed funds or the death was premeditated.
If this is proven true they were probably also falsifying contact reports and the other things that go along with being authorized to conduct those types of operations. This is how sources get rolled up and killed.