On 1 August 2023 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Marine Gunnery Sergeants Danny Draher and Josh Negron went earlier than a board of inquiry (BOI) that may decide their destiny with a compelled retirement after their decades-long army careers. This got here after they’d already been cleared of involuntary manslaughter, negligent murder, and different prices in a court docket martial earlier this yr.
The willpower was in regard as to whether these Marine Raiders would be capable of retire at their present rank of gunnery sergeant or be diminished to workers sergeant together with a lack of retirement advantages. Most importantly, it was additionally about whether or not they would obtain an honorable discharge or common discharge. The latter would imply that they might not be eligible for sure veterans’ advantages, together with the GI Invoice.
Regardless of the overwhelming proof of the MARSOC 3 performing in self-defense and the protection of others throughout the occasion which befell in Erbil, Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) on New 12 months’s Eve, 2018, Draher and Negron had been charged with involuntary manslaughter, negligent murder, obstructing justice, and violations of orders.
In keeping with a report on Process & Function, “Regardless of a number of authentic prices being thrown out throughout trial as a result of the federal government couldn’t meet the burden of proof, all remaining prices went to the jury — together with probably the most severe of manslaughter and negligent murder. The jury returned not responsible verdicts of all the intense prices on February 1, 2023. Sadly, the jury did discover the Raiders responsible of violating an order to not drink alcohol in Iraq on the common court-martial.”
Draher and Negron had been discovered responsible of consuming whereas in Iraq. The outcome for Draher and Negron? They’re now felons – and the one ones who had been punished – regardless of many others from that deployment having been videotaped consuming in Iraq on the identical night time.
The three member panel for the BOI on 1 August 2023 was made up of a Marine Colonel, a Lieutenant Colonel (Marine Raider), and a Grasp Sergeant (Marine Raider).
After listening to opening arguments and testimony, there was a really transient deliberation earlier than the panel really helpful that each Draher and Negron be allowed to retire on the charge of E-7 (Gunnery Sergeant) with an honorable discharge.
This choice will now go as much as the USMC Deputy Commandant for Manpower & Reserve Affairs – Main Normal James Glynn – who will finally determine whether or not to approve the BOI choice, or to overturn it. Glynn was beforehand the MARSOC Commanding Normal (CG) and the convening authority for the MARSOC 3 case earlier than handing it off to present MARSOC CG, Main Normal Matthew Trollinger.
Trollinger nonetheless has it inside his energy to strip these Warriors of their Marine Raider Particular Operator Insignia (badge), however there isn’t a concrete indication whether or not or not Trollinger would really execute such a vindictive transfer towards two of his personal males.
Like Glynn and his predecessor Main Normal Daniel Yoo, because the convening authority, Trollinger had the flexibility to dismiss this inappropriate consuming conviction, however he opted to not even after being urged by 28 sitting members of Congress to drop it. He selected to maneuver ahead with the absurd prices towards them.
Let’s not overlook that Yoo is reported to have obtained a DUI when he was a captain, however was nonetheless capable of progress in his profession. Trollinger was additionally the topic of a 2020 Inspector Normal criticism which alleged his personal misdeeds.
United American Patriots, Inc. (www.UAP.org) continues to be supporting the push to have the unjust felony convictions for Draher and Negron overturned on attraction. The board of inquiry choice is a large victory, however the battle shouldn’t be over.
Presently, Draher is scheduled to retire on the finish of his lively service on 30 November 2023, and Negron is scheduled to retire on 30 April 2024.
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