A FEW BAD MEN

A FEW BAD MEN

By Andy Weddington

Wednesday, 10 August 2022

Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. - John C. Maxwell 

Last week I read U. S. Marine Major Fred Galvin's book, 'A Few Bad Men.'

Thinking about it, along with a bad memory of a few bad men, since. 

Mostly about how Marines do not let leadership down but leadership fails, and more than it ought.

Semper Fidelis.

Little more than half-way the following sentence stopped me cold ...

"For the first time in my career, the Marine values of honor, courage, and commitment rang hollow." - Major Galvin

Next sentence not read for a good long while - to pause and reflect nearly 17 years ago. 

Exact sentiment; awful tastes linger.  

And, ironically, some of the same few bad men.

Text to a retired longtime Marine friend, "I feel like throwing up, again."

Not combat but the duty of an investigation turned ugly and general officers wrongly meddling in due process. 

Soon after retired but for sleep being impossible pursued justice more than five years.

Futile. 

Bureaucracy.  

Not only Major Galvin's sentiment but I lost faith in Marine general officers. It's not supposed to be that way. Not in the Marine Corps. Not any branch. Private or Commandant, impeccable integrity is not negotiable. Integrity is core.  

Years later a Marine general officer did what a Marine is duty-bound to do - claimed high ground, stood strong, and did the right thing for the right reasons; despite incredible professional and personal pressure.

Integrity. 

For being a matter of international interest, easy to follow news. 

Months passed. Ugly got uglier. And more months. He did not blink, and prevailed.

Truth matters. 

The general was not known to me. Never met. Never served under. But I asked a friend for help how to contact. Important, I felt, for him to know Marines were watching. Summarizing my distasteful experience, I bluntly told him I had lost trust and confidence in generals but his integrity and courage offered some relief there was still at least a few good men entrusted with stars.  

Considering the circumstances, favor of reply not expected nor wanted. Weeks later one evening arrived a short note. [Perhaps, because the enormity of what he did at the macro level was put into perspective by a Marine at the micro level; haunting in a good way. His kind gesture, too, helped restore some faith.]

The ambush of Major Galvin's unit happened a year after I retired. I remember. And remember following the story in the news. And distinctly remember feeling not good at all about what generals were and were not doing. 

Those Marines did their duty. 

The feeling of being abandoned during difficult times by those whom you believe would never deliberately falter, I know; recently. Plain and simple, desertion. 

So to the situation of Major Galvin and his Marines facing life or death, there's at least some degree of understanding (though I was not ambushed by an enemy trying to kill me). 

Not just generals but peers and seniors not sporting stars abandoned Major Galvin and his Marines. They deserted. 

Marines making up the Court of Inquiry got to the truth. 

And it was ugly for those deserting Marines. Never mind involved deserters from other branches.  

For what? Optics. Politics. Self. And not necessarily in that order. 

A greater breach of core values and Semper Fidelis escapes me. 

Maybe one day another Marine general does the duty of a Marine - stands the high ground doing the right thing for the right reasons - and Major Galvin is a bit encouraged. 

Integrity fuels courage.

Thus, the bravery of Major Galvin and his Marines under attack on the battlefield, in media, and in court rooms. Facts - there's no call to question. Though there's much to ponder about their attackers. 

To exonerated Major Galvin and his Marines, I pass along the sage hand-written counsel given me nearly 40 years ago by our 27th Commandant, General Robert H. Barrow, USMC,  - a Marine of impeccable integrity and courage - "Keep the faith!" 

Add 'A Few Bad Men' to your list.