Quote:
Originally posted by RACooper
Originally he was going to be tried for more serious charges, but the political lobby group that formed around his defense put some serious pressure out there...
Most folks that I have talked are initially pretty neutral on the issue of the pilot's guillt - right up until they read the report or listen to the actual recordings of the event. Then most of the military folks condemn him as insubordinate and trigger-happy.
I thought that the flight leader got a bit of a raw deal compared to whar Schmidt recieved - while he was the commander and therefore technically responsible for the conduct of Schmidt, he did strike me as genuinely remorseful, co-operative, and most importantly honourable... whereas Schmidt has still to honestly express any remorse.
I'm also pretty much convinced that a court martial would have revealed some serious lapses in SOP and C&C, lapses that would have been politically damaging at the time of the trial.
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If I remember correctly, the person in question (Maj. Schmidt) received non-judicial punishment (Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), issued by the convening authority (the numbered Air Force commander, a major general). For a field-grade officer (majors through colonels), it's practically the kiss of death for continuing a military career, as any chances for promotion are reduced to practically nothing. On top of that, I think he was also sent to a board that recommended that he also be stripped of his pilot wings.