Night Out on the Town Goes Wrong for Army Unit in Poland
This is what every weekend in the Camp Casey ville used to be like 20-30 years ago:
A U.S. Army Apache helicopter unit’s planned visit to World War II sites in Poland devolved into a drunken escapade at an off-limits strip club, leading to the suspected drugging of a battalion executive officer who went missing and wasn’t found until the next day, an Army investigation found.
The incident involving the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade’s “No Mercy” battalion during its recent deployment to Europe now has multiple officers facing the possible end of their military careers. (……)
Conner said that he received multiple lap dances and that strippers “bit his nipples to keep him awake, and repeatedly had his credit card swiped,” the report stated. Conner then showed the soldiers in the car multiple receipts, which added up to 50,000 — it wasn’t clear whether the sum was in dollars or Polish zloty, which would amount to about $13,000.
Conner “also expressed a belief that the champagne he had been given at the club had been laced/drugged,” the report said.
Stars & Stripes
You can read more at the link of what is basically a bad Army version of The Hangover movie. The fact that senior Army officers allowed themselves to be put into a position like this is why they are likely going to be looking for new jobs
30 years it was a very different time. You would go out and bump into your commander or First Sergeant. In my unit we had a Lieutenant who wanted to go with us and call him “Specialist Gomer” Our command didn’t like it but he wasn’t a problem & bought his share of rounds…
We did a lot of stupid things when we were young. This is why we never went anywhere by ourselves. Mind you, the XO might have been set up by some in his command. Or he may have been identified and isolated by clever bad actors.
The takeaway from this is that there are people willing to roll drunks in every metropolis, city, town, village, and truck stop… Especially busy port cities…
(I’d be willing to bet he was not wearing his reflective belt. I’ve heard those work exceptionally well at preventing accidents.)
However, the more important question is whether the Battalion’s (or Brigade’s, or even more) operational security was compromised by having the XO “drugged” and subjected to “enhanced interrogation.”
People have died from smaller slip-ups that led troops into ambushes. Here’s an entertaining look at the “Loose Lips Sink Ships” concept:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S07G8rq1Mo
“I was drugged and they swiped my card.”
No, asshòle, you were drunk and thought it was a good idea to keep buying rounds of tequila for the girls (actually tea) and drinking one with them (real tequila)… and how about another bottle of champagne!
Somewhere near the bottom of this downward spiral, you lost your memory… which is probably where your true round-for-everyone animal came out.
Then you made it as far as a dark, secluded, pìss-smelling nook to curl up in… meaning you were not “missing” like a kidnapped schoolgirl… but simply not found by the people failing to look in thickets and behind dumpsters in a 100 meter radius of the club.
And when you stumbled back to your hotel, gagging on your own bile the entire way and going oh shìt oh shìt oh shìt…
“I was drugged and they swiped my card!”
No you weren’t and yes they did, but for good reason.
This story goes back to antiquity.
“She charmed me with magic and took my gold.”
“the suspected drugging of a battalion executive officer”
This after investigation? If he were really drugged it should show up in the bloodwork. Unless he refused bloodwork?
Liz, I would expect that a battalion XO could not refuse bloodwork unless he was already on the train to that place in Kansas with the allegedly USMC guards. With a brand new shiny DD and new jewelry on hus wrists and ankles. But I apparently know little of how the modern military “works”.
CH, I always wanted an excuse involving magic instead of inattentiveness or sloth: “She turned me into a newt!” “A newt?!?!?” “I got better…”
“CH, I always wanted an excuse involving magic instead of inattentiveness or sloth”
Have you tried “Whitey be keepin’ us down”?
Well, that one does sound magical; but I’m not certain how it fits into my Northwestern European ancestry… I could say “The Man be keepin’ us down,” I suppose… Then if someone assumes my gender, race, or whatever go on the “How dare you assume my ____ just because I [am married/look white/etc.]…
I was hoping for something more lucrative tho’…
@Liz, there is probably no bloodwork because according to the article the battalion commander and the XO tried to cover this up by not having him go to the hospital. He was supposedly sick for many days. Only when the rumor mill got too big did this come to light.
@GI, that’s truly sad… We expect our leaders — especially in the US Military — to be able to stand up and take it whether they did right or wrong… We don’t expect them to do coverups and play political games.
Of course, all of us are sinners who need the Savior; but some of us are not really cut out to lead others…
That sucks. 🙁
Not entirely certain any of them should be “crucified” or “shot at sunrise”; but this is going to leave a black mark on the unit. The incoming command team is going to need to have their ducks in a row. I recommend watching 12 O’Clock High and Command Decision, which they will undoubtedly have done.
It is worth noting that in civilian life, no manager is responsible for his subordinates’ activities outside of working hours; but the military is vastly different. We should not judge one by the other. Fix and Conner made poor choices that cost them dearly. Let’s resolve to avoid the same fate.