Alexander Vindman to Retire

| July 8, 2020

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman will be retiring after serving for 21 years. His lawyer claims that Vindman is taking this action due to the retaliation that he faced as a result of his testimony. According to the lawyer, President Trump tried to force Alexander Vindman to choose between the law and pleasing the president.

From Law & Crime:

Statement by Alexander Vindman’s lawyer:

After more than 21 years of military service, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman is retiring today after it has been made clear that his future within the institution he has dutifully served will forever be limited.

Over the last months, LTC Vindman has been guided by a very simple and very American principle: ‘here, right matters.’ He has spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress. Compelled to testify, this decorated soldier was thrust into a conversation that goes to the heart of our country’s values, and its future.

Through a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation, the President of the UnitedStates attempted to force LTC Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a President. Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers. these are choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it.

LTC Vindman did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the President and his proxies. And yet, LTC Vindman would not be intimidated and will not be corrupted. He did what he always done: put the interests of his county ahead of his own.

LTC Vindman’s patriotic has cost him his career. Today our country loses a devoted soldier but it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure it does not lose the values he represents.

Law & Crime has the full article here.

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Category: Army, Military issues

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E4 Mafia '83-'87

Next weeks he accepts the job as Ukrainian Sec of Defense. The position he said that he “laughed off as a joke”. I think he was passed over too many times to stay in anyway, right?

David

“LTC Vindman’s patriotic has cost him his career” his lawyer obviously has no grasp of English grammar, not to mention military protocol. Or reality, if he thinks Vindman subordinated his own interests to “what is right” – if anything, he made a failed power play in support of an attempted putsch and is lucky to escape the usual penalty for doing so. Guess we need to seek another candidiate to be ‘Attu Liaison to nobody’.

Anonymous

He forgot “retardation” after “patriotic” needed to make the sentence grammatically correct.

Azygos

It sounded better in the original Ukrainian.

MarineDad61

Branco’s webpage.
He’s also on Facebook.
https://www.creators.com/features/a.f.-branco

FuzeVT

Ha, Ha! Does he get a certificate of appreciation from President Trump for his service?!

Roh-Dog

If the CiC needs a MRE Meal 4 Veggie Omelet to print it on, Ive got him!

Twist

I’d love to see the write up on his retirement award. It would be funny if they only gave him a certificate of appreciation or an AAM at most.

Green Thumb

No shit.

Dude appears to have ZERO command time outside of his PL days.

No BSM, no MSM, what, one ARCOM and nothing that one would remotely see on a soon-to-be O-6. My God, could you see this clown in a command slot? His men would would rebel as he would encourage snitching on each other.

Jesus.

Green Thumb

He also does not appear to be the most physically fit motherfucker either.

Can totally see him pencil-whipping some PT tests.

I doubt it would have been the first time.

Still think he qualifies yearly at the range?

Anonymous

Qualify at the range? Skillcraft will give him 47 out of 40 every time.

SteeleyI

By any measure Vindman had a fairly successful career as an Infantry officer, and continued success as a FAO. He was awarded an MSM and at least one DMSM for Joint Service, plus a number of ARCOMs and AAMs, in addition to a Purple Heart, CIB, and Ranger Tab (not to mention an EIB, which is no joke). Based on the timeline in Army Times he went to Iraq as a junior captain in HHC 1-5 Infantry, which is part of 1/25 Stryker out of Ft Lewis. HHC is typically a second command, and he was a junior captain at the time, so he was probably in the S-3 shop or another staff position waiting for command. He was wounded fairly early in his tour, which he finished. https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-purple-heart-award-alexander-vindman-kicked-out-by-trump-2020-2 No Bronze Star means that he probably did not command in combat, which is not surprising given his lack of seniority and being wounded early in the tour. He was an 11A for about 4 more years before he went FAO in 2008, at about the time he pinned on Major. Most due course 11As like him would have commanded at least one company during this period- which is makes sense given his promotion and selection for FAO. He probably would not have made either cut without being successful in his current career field, which for 11As includes captain. In other words, a pretty standard Infantry Officer career up through MAJ and transitioning to FAO. As a FAO, while he was still basic branch Infantry, he was detailed to FAO branch, which has a completely different career path. From that point on he would not have served in what most people would recognize as a unit, but rather on Combatant Command (in his case EUCOM) staff, the Joint Staff, or other DoD/DIA positions. As a FAO he had some pretty high speed jobs and did well enough to be selected for LTC, service with the National Security Council staff, and apparently the Army War College https://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/carlisle/lt-col-vindman-is-part-of-this-summer-s-incoming/article_41596325-9bdf-55ad-acb0-f9513695cefa.html, The War College is a big cut and its a pretty good indicator that he… Read more »

Mason

Naw, he deserves a canteen cup as a retirement award.

https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=77508&cpage=2#comment-3085918

11B-Mailclerk

Speaking as a former Battalion Awards Clerk:

That was …. -epic-

Duane

I love the third paragraph about honoring his oath. I guess the multiple times that I had repeated the oath over my 30 year enlisted career must have been a different oath! He went for what he thought was the golden ring only to find out that it was connected to his own ejection seat!

11B-Mailclerk

They wont give him the drama of kicking him out. They just have nothing for him to do.

Retired Grunt

Actually, it was a different oath if you were enlisted for your entire career. The officer oath and the enlisted oath are very similar but not entirely the same. I really only know because I took both oaths.

Mason

Never took the O oath, but I assume it has something in it about an O-5 on the NSC setting foreign policy and not the president, right? 😉

Slow Joe

Hi Duane.

Are you Rakkasan Duane?

Comm Center Rat

I’m sure the CIA or DIA will hire Vindman 180 days after his retirement.

rgr769

Most likely it will be the CIA cuz he has a pal there, Eric the Rat, to whom he illegally leaked classified info. Which he did solely to initiate the bogus shampeachment.

His lawer is undoubtedly a corrupt dissembling swamp rat, as well.

MustangCryppie

That’s interesting. I know plenty of people working at NSA who retired from the military on Friday and reported to work on Monday as a civilian.

I wonder what the rule for that is. Pretty sure you just have to stay away from projects you were part of in the military.

Twist

It’s a relatively new rule, within the last couple of years, but like almost everything else you can get a waiver.

IS1 (SW)

This guy is a pimple on the ass of America.

UpNorth

AMF, Vindman. Where to next, CNN or MSDNC?

A Proud Infidel®™️

I was thinking the same, I’m sure he started sucking cock for a job at either months ago!

IS1 (SW)

He can be Ukraine’s Defense Minister now! What a cum bubble.

rgr769

Since Vainglorious Vindy was a strong supporter of the prior, and exceedingly corrupt, regime in Ukraine, it is highly unlikely that job offer is still on the table. Plus, he would lose his U.S. citizenship.

11B-Mailclerk

Hm. I wonder if the current government of Ukraine will name him in one of their anti-corruption investigations?

That would be amusing.

26Limabeans

“the prior, and exceedingly corrupt, regime in Ukraine”

OR

“the prior, and exceedingly corrupt,
regime in Washington”

Retired Mustang

Hmmm….I wonder if Duckworth knew Vindman was going to drop his papers before her little political hissy fit?
Watch were Vindman lands. Birds of feather?

Ex-PH2

Ditto.

Green Thumb

Interesting take, though.

Not defending Vindman, but maybe he walked so the other 1k + Officers that Tummy Duckworth was screwing over for her own personal gain could get promoted.

Just an observation.

SFC D

That would imply “selfless service” and he’s just not into that.

Green Thumb

Good point.

11B-Mailclerk

However, it would allow him to further claim martyrdom.

Once the paycheck is secure, of course.

And a post-retirement “review” of the promotion process may have been offered, to get him to let her off the hook for dicking the others.

So not really a martyr, either.

Retired Mustang

No, he walked because he understands or was advised; he would not be promoted. That Duckworth’s political gambit would be destroyed in the Senate, the SecDef will not be blackmailed, the O6 selection board are not political pawns and his name would always be associated with the politicization of officer promotions.
IMO, he had no choice but to retire. He painted a bulls eye on his back, Now he can crawl off and either keep his mouth shut or subject himself to further scrutiny. Regardless, he his still subject to the UCMJ. My guess, self preservation will kick in.

STSC(SW/SS)

Maybe a few guys threatened him with a huge blanket party if didn’t retire.

rgr769

I would volunteer for that mission and even bring my own bar of soap and sock.

Mason

Just when you thought this self-righteous fuckstick of an O-5 couldn’t get any worse he retires with a big press release from his lawyer. He certainly has an overly large opinion of himself.

Now the question is will he join “military expert” Malcolm Nance in professionally shitting on Trump and Republicans?

MustangCryppie

Malcolm Nance? Bwahaha!

I knew him at DLI. We served in the same community. Believe it or not, he was a good guy back then. I heard, so i could be full of shit, that he was upset that he didn’t make MC and figured it was racism, so he decided to get on the crazy train. Changed completely.

The first time i saw him on tv, i burst out laughing that he was presenting as an “expert”. Yeah, sure. Then I’m the fucking Pipe!

Mason

Not surprised. Like everyone makes MC. They’re not the top 1% of the enlisted force by law, right?

I worked with a guy like that. He had his share of quirks, but who doesn’t? Anytime anything would happen he’d throw the race card. It eventually was his downfall.

David

As I continually find out, a great punch line gets ruined by an egregious typo I don’t see until just after hitting the “post comment” button. Or maybe you are the fucking Pipe… or at least a Boship.

11B-Mailclerk

Those are the ones wear Cossacks, right?

MustangCryppie

HA!

MustangCryppie

See? You knew what I meant. That’s why I didn’t fix it. (I probably would have fucked it up worse)

Ret_25X

by MC do you mean Medical Corps or Masturbating Conman?

Ex-PH2

“here, right matters….”

It’s my impression that being a vindictive jerk doesn’t mean that someone is right or wrong.

IF he’s really as smart as he thinks he is, he’ll find his way out of the cesspool that is WDC and enjoy his retirement, write his memoirs, and have a nice, tall cold one brought by a short man in a white suit with a pink tie and a towel over one wrist.

Ret_25X

DC is a very weird place in the Army.

It can be good service and it can be a nightmare all depending on whether you work for a Soldier or a DC Circle Jerk rider.

Jeff LPH 3, 63-66

21 years in and he’s retiring? Sounds like he’s sour grapes and retiring will somehow make him vindmancated. Will he go to the Reichstag/NPR controlled cable socialist news LSMFT or cnn.??????

Anonymous

CNN “military analyst” or maybe for HuffPo…

USAFRetired

Didn’t he just come out on the O-6 list? What kind of retaliation is that, a promotion.

Anonymous

Probably had transfer to FA 59 and with an open-ended utilization tour at the Heritage Foundation as a condition of accepting the promotion

AW1 Rod

Alexander Vindman…..a Legend in His Spare Time!

Adios, you useless sack of shit.

Anonymous

Hear hear!

Stacy0311

Saw the writing on the wall, read the tea leaves, whatever. Sounds like he realized that even IF he got promoted, attended War College and all the other perks he thought he was entitled to, he knew he’d get stuck with every WIAS tasker to come down the pipeline.

“We need an ‘O6’ for portashitter inventory officer at Fort Wainwright.” “Vindman’s due for a PCS move isn’t he?”

“We need an ‘O6’ for a broadening assignment in Greenland. It’s a joint assignment at Thule AFB.” “You know, this would be really good for Vindman’s career.”

“We need an ‘O6’ to supervise the transgender inspection and certification program.” “I know just the guy.”

Andy11M

I think he would have wound up in one of the windowless basement “rubber room” offices at the Pentagon. Show up to work by 0900, call your supervisor, sit in the office all day except for lunch, call your supervisor in the afternoon and leave at 1630. Repeat until you can’t take it anymore and you submit your retirement packet.

pookysgirl (WC wife)

Nah, that’s too cushy. I like Stacy’s Greenland idea.

Twist

Hey, what’s wrong with Ft Wainwright? I love it, or at least the area around it.

Sapper3307

Book deal pending?

11B-Mailclerk

With an unusually large “advance”.

5th/77th FA

Not sure what the retirement $ would be for an 05 (or 06) with 21 years or how long he may to wait to start drawing it. I would venture to say that the amount he will make from any of the above listed potential employers would make his retirement money look like pocket change. But then again, his handlers may think since he didn’t deliver the coup de gras they wanted for the impeachment try, his useful idiotness is over and done with.

Seems a little sudden too, what with the Kongress Klowne Kritter trying to ride to his rescue.

rgr769

He is undoubtedly about to write a “tell all” book with content that would get him court martialed if he had done it on AD.

11B-Mailclerk

I wonder if his paperwork will take until about November 7th.

rgr1480

5th:

Not sure … how long he may to wait to start drawing [retired pay].

Retirement today looks different than the “50% of base pay” when I retired. It now looks like the civil service:
https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Retirement/ActiveDuty.aspx

I’m assuming (??) retirees are still able receive retired pay as soon as they retire; not having to wait until the SSA’s Full Retirement Age.

Twist

For active duty it starts as soon as you retire. I started getting mine at age 39.

5th/77th FA

Tanks guys, so he’s looking at about 50K a year from the taxpayer for the rest of his life. Wonder how much/what the pay grade is for being a rat fink?

Asking for myself…inquiring minds and all of that.

Sapper3307

+ a 100% VA rating for service connected obesity.

The Other Whitey

What an attention whore.

26Limabeans

Maybe he knows too much and was advised to disappear
by his handlers. No book, no interview. Just stfu and
forget what we told you to say comrade.

Something right out of his homeland.

cryptogeek

Worked with a few like him at the Puzzle Palace, thinking they set policy when there’s an O-6 or an O-7 pouring coffee for an appointee around the corner. The statement was only necessary for his ego. If it had truly been about concern for our nation, anyone else would have simply retired to save the rest of the selects the hold up, without the fanfare.

Hope the door doesn’t hit him in the arse on the way out.

MustangCryppie
MarineDad61

MustangCryppie…..
Geez…
It’s just like reading Facebook comments about the video for
Maggie DeSanti, the TSA Push-Ups Phony Vietnam Veteran nurse.
All the major media ran the feel good push-ups story
(and posted their videos on Facebook)
but almost no one deleted, retracted, nor updated
with the TRUTH about nutty ol’ Maggie.

Instead, comments by the thousands…..
“God Bless You”,
“Amen”,
“You look so young”,
and vomit inducing variations of
“Thank you for your service.”

BTW,
WHERE are the Maggie enablers and Maggie defenders today?

RetiredDevilDoc8404

Left him some “love” on his tweet – Good riddance, chow thief. Damn shame, he would have made an excellent housing officer on Johnston Island.

Andy11M

I’m sure Tammy didn’t see this third option happening when she tied his promotion to the promotion of every other O5 in the Army.

11B-Mailclerk

Actually, I am assuming it was the agreed upon deal.

She doesn’t really want to piss off the military folks. Not at all. She has plans, and needs that constituency.

He wants the “martyr” halo, for post-retirement book deals and employment. “I gave up an earned promotion to yadda yadda boohoo…”

So, he was either promised a job/advance worth the pay difference, or there is a promise of a post-retirement review and correction of the non-promotion to O-6.

Or both.

Lack of fuss indicates this was the plan all along.

Anonymous

Adios, leftard careerist mofo…

SFC D

He realized that he’s risen to the level of his own incompetence.

Devtun

Got picked up for 0-6. Surprised he didn’t wait it out to see if Biteme won in Nov.

11B-Mailclerk

See above. He has been offered his thirty pieces of silver.

Three may be shaped like eagles.

OldSoldier54

All I can say, is, : Don’t let the door hit ya on your 4th point of contact as you didi.”

Holdfast

Found out he’d get a PT test, Weight In, and a Tape Test as soon as he arrived at the War College.

Dropped his papers 10 minutes later.

Green Thumb

Yeah.

Don’t know the man, but took a wild guess.

Ret_25X

Happens more than you might think…..

Anonymous

Safe bet.

Honor and Courage

He Retired because someone would be writing his ass up every time he opened his mouth! I have had my share of shit for brains Commanders, and He would move right to the top!

OWB

Oh, there was always a plan. This might not have been the original planned outcome, but perhaps it was the best option after plans A-T had to be scrapped.

Would agree that he is not likely to be particularly well rewarded for not accomplishing Plan A with his testimony before Congress. Maybe a few bones for appearances sake, but he will soon be forgotten. His time as a useful martyr is limited. (reference such as Cindy Shehag)

Berliner

Yet Tammy Duckworth is still threatening to hold up O-6 promotions…

I’m sure it is not not an attention-getting move on her part to further her in the Biden replacement competition. /s