Four Officers Charged in Haditha Incident

Like it needs to be said, but if you're tasked with conducting an investigation or suspect malfeasance in your command, don't half-ass it, otherwise you can get your own ass in a sling.

Charges over Haditha killings seen as "significant"

Rather understated headline there.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The decision to charge four Marine officers accused of failing to properly investigate the killing of 24 Iraqi civilians was a rare step and might never have occurred had the media not brought the incident to light, experts said on Friday.
...
Four officers -- a lieutenant colonel, two captains and a lieutenant -- also were charged, accused of dereliction of duty and other counts for their role in the aftermath. An investigation concluded that reporting on the killings up the chain of command was inaccurate and untimely.

Part of my job entails reviewing investigations. In the Army, such investigations are typically informal, in the sense that until there's evidence of criminal conduct, they are not criminal investigations involving law enforcement (Mil Police or Criminal Investigative Division). Such investigations are really just attempts to first figure out what happened. If there is evidence of criminal conduct, then the investigating officer can recommend UCMJ action as appropriate to include a more specific inquiry by the relevant law enforcement agency.

Regrettably, investigating officers don't often do a very good job. Sometimes they do a great job and the investigation is tight, presents sufficient evidence to support its findings and doesn't make any wild leaps of logic or reason. I like those days, they make my job easy when reviewing the investigation and I can say "legally sufficient/mighty fine." Other times, however, the things are a trainwreck. You'll have investigating officers talking to two or three people, asking them a handful of questions each and then determining that "oh well, nothing can be done."

I'm reluctant to call it intentional since I think it's moreso straight up laziness. When good enough will do, so long as they get some statements they're done. Lord knows how many times I've had to talk to an investigating officer and tell him that just because you have two statements that conflict doesn't mean you're done--you actually have to make a FINDING as to which statement you believe.

Ultimately, it's a failure to recognize the importance of producing a coherent and thorough investigation. Stories like this underscore that importance.

Re: Battleships

I thought that we just finished the argument about triremes already!

As Eagle knows, this argument is on the periodic maintenance schedule.

But there is that argument about the awesome presence of a battleship off your coast..

Sailor, Rest Your Oar

According to early press reports, former President Gerald R. Ford passed away Tuesday at age 93. President Ford served aboard the USS Monterey (CVL-26) in WWII.