Let me start this out by saying he committed what could be considered a vile act. I really don’t want to go into the specifics. That is nobody’s business but his, the victim’s and the jury who sentenced him. The twenty or so people in my detachment know what he is accused of, but only those I listed have any evidence of what he DID.
This NCO and I were friends. I had done things with him socially and truly enjoyed his company. He was probably the funniest person I have ever met. He could make a joke out of everything. Within a few minutes, we could have each other rolling on the floor. He was also a good NCO. We both endured a year in Iraq together. He stayed strong and kept his sense of humor. (In case you are wondering, the time in combat had nothing to do with his unlawful actions.)
During the period since we returned, our command and NCO leadership changed. The new commander and detachment NCO never really got to know him as a person, nor as an NCO. They only got to see him as a person accused of a crime. We also changed a lot of personnel; new people in and old people out. None of these Soldiers got to know him either.
I want to tell people about him and the fun we used to have, but those that didn’t know him have a hard time seeing beyond what he was accused of.
The last time I saw him in our unit was the Friday before he was taken into custody. I thought that would be the last time I would ever see him again. I went through anger, denial, bargaining, and depression. I wasn’t sure if I would want to see him again. I was worried about how he would react to seeing me. (You know how it is, you do something embarrassing, you know all your friends know and you can’t look them in the eye.)
A couple weeks ago, I had to go to the brig where he was being held and escort him to an appointment. The place of the appointment was several hundred miles away. On the ride up, he had that same stiff upper lip. He didn’t speak to me much, and I didn’t speak to him at all. On the ride back we had a moment alone. He confessed to me that he had a moment in the brig where he realized he would never see his son again. That really broke him up. He was given medication and counseling, but he still had a hard time processing it. We were interrupted before I could try to help him find the strength he needed to get through this.
The rest of the ride back to the brig it was just like old times. We laughed, we joked, we had fun.
My friend was Court Marshaled yesterday. He will be proceeding to the United States Disciplinary Barracks tonight. I was not chose to accompany him. He will be confined for not less than 16 years.
FTR, I am told he was strong as the verdict was being read. He only broke down after the courtroom was cleared.
I miss him. Not the monster that committed the crime, but the man that was my friend. I am not supposed to talk about the details to outsiders from our unit, so if you know me or of whom I speak, keep it to yourself.
I don’t know what I expect to get from posting this, but thank you for reading it.
Sgt Schwartz