JAG CENTRAL

One more post before I go to Vegas - this one was too good to pass up. Fellow MilBlogger Armchair Generalist gathers inside information to put out alternative theories on why Gen. Byrnes was fired from his TRADOC Command post--standing up for the good of the Army:

What has not been reported is that recently, one of Byrnes' subordinate commands, Fort Rucker in Alabama, had been told to stand by for an influx of 50,000 military trainees -- a level the base has not seen since the Vietnam War. Byrnes' relief of command came on the heels of the Pentagon announcing that it might permit Spanish-language entrance examinations. Byrnes, who was in charge of Army training, would not only face recruits with lower education levels and past criminal records, but a lack of proficiency in English. Pentagon insiders report that it was Byrnes' policy disagreements with the Pentagon neo-cons over the new recruitment policies and the potential for calling up Army retirees and reinstating military conscription without adequate TRADOC funding that resulted in his firing. The personal misconduct charges were concocted by the Pentagon to cover up the fact that there are serious disagreements with Bush and Rumsfeld among the flag officer ranks in the military.

Hmm...adultery seemed too convenient of a reason. The plot thickens. The Daily Kos has a different read on the true reason: a possible upcoming signature by Gen. Byrnes on a very public and critical open letter by 10 retired high-ranking generals:

Gen. Byrnes, scheduled to retire in November, may very well have been just about to add his name to that list. Remember, Gen. Byrnes has an otherwise unblemished 36-year record for service and was the head of TRADOC the Army's training division. Reading his speeches, one can only imagine this man's reaction to Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo if he (correctly, IMHO) perceived that the civilian leadership was scapegoating soldiers and their "poor training" for carrying out the administration's illegal torture policies.

Bush and Rumsfeld (who are meeting tonight in Crawford) had to move quickly to preempt such a credible and high-profile exposure of military dissent that could threaten to tip the balance in the coming debate over the anti-torture provisions in the defense bill and force the President to veto that juicy, pork-filled bill.

Best guess? Rumsfeld learned or surmised how Byrnes felt and anticipated his coming plans to join "the 11" and ordered some quick digging into Byrnes' private life. Turns out Byrnes, separated from his wife over a year ago but not yet officially divorced, had a girlfriend.

Bang bang Gen. Byrnes, your career and reputation are dead.

Categories: Byrnes