SERGEANT TYLER VARGAS-ANDREWS, USMC
Sunday, 12 March 2023
By Andy Weddington
The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision. - Maimonides
Four days ago Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews testified during a House Hearing on the Afghanistan Evacuation.
In this case, Evacuation being a sugar-coated (albeit military) descriptor for what Marines know as a "Charlie Foxtrot" (Charlie having the same number of letters as Cluster and Foxtrot three more than the F bomb).
And it was every bit a Charlie Foxtrot.
I watched Sergeant Vargas-Andrews's slightly more than 10 minutes appearance a few times.
Each time with not less but more difficulty and disgust.
Leadership - on site, in and not in theatre - failed.
His life saved by brother Marines.
What first caught my attention?
Sergeant Vargas-Andrews looked like infantry Marines I was privileged to lead going back more than 40 years; whose faces and names come to me with such clarity it seems like 4 years.
Then the distinctive American and USMC flags pin on his coat's left lapel caught my eye; those pins always do. I own several.
Next his prosthetic right arm. [Though not visible, missing a leg.]
To maximize allotted time, Sergeant Vargas-Andrews (infantryman scout sniper assigned to 2nd Battalion/1st Marines) spoke from a prepared statement - his perspective - about what happened leading up to the bombing at the Kabul airport on 26 August 2021.
Digesting what I heard while reflecting called for a return to the basics of leadership; principles and traits to achieve goals seared into Marines.
Enlisted Marines are trained to obey orders.
The commission of an officer declares a " ... special trust and confidence in ... " the holder of rank - any rank - to lead Marines.
Leading Marines is challenging but not complicated.
Principles, traits, right and wrong, and common sense practically eliminate complications.
Courage, initiative, judgement and decision-making four of the 14 traits immediately coming to mind as relevant to what happened.
With four of 11 complementary principles, too, coming to mind: Know your Marines and lookout for their welfare; Make sound and timely decisions; Employ your command within its capabilities; Seek and take responsibility.
Sergeant Vargas-Andrews's sniper team had definitively identified an enemy threat and warned IED attack imminent.
Their critical first-hand information dismissed.
Was there (any) company grade officer on site with the team? [I've not been able to confirm.]
Sergeant Vargas-Andrews recounted their battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brad E. Whited, USMC, was summoned to their position and shown proof as to enemy and activity.
The team pressed for decision to engage.
No decision.
When the team asked as to who had decision-making authority, Sergeant Vargas-Andrews quoted his battalion commander, "I don't know."
A collapse of leadership.
Soon after, boom!
Sergeant Vargas-Andrews horribly wounded.
Remembering his injuries and the wounded and dead around him, he wept and composed himself; moments more powerful than his words.
Marine generals touted that evacuation a success.
Eleven Marines, a Sailor, and a Soldier murdered. Hundreds, including Sergeant Vargas-Andrews injured.
Tragedy prevented if not for tragedy of failed leadership.
Marine officers failed.
Incompetence, risk adverse, cowardice, dereliction? Rational conclusions. There's always more.
But Sergeant Vargas-Andrews, and his brothers, did their duty; obedience their haunt.
That lapel pin - he chose to wear.
Alas, Sergeant Chastain, USMC, I thought of you.
Post Script
Note 1: Maimonides's opening thought germane. Kill the enemy. Defend decision with facts. As it was, the terror of indecision.
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2 comments:
Like you, I’ve watched several times. Each time my anger grew. Lives lost. Bodies torn. Families changed forever. The sgt should have had the authority to make a decision to engage. And if not, then someone who does have such authority should have been tied to his hip. Then a few days later a drone strike made in haste that kills three men and seven children. Leaders couldn't get it right and then got it wrong. once again, no accountability.
Barrow sends.
Heart wrenching narrative; reminds one of the adage "making no decision is making a decision". Sad, damn sad.
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