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Biden seems to examine his watch at ceremony honoring 13 fallen troops: Report
Fox Information correspondent Jacqui Heinrich discusses President Biden’s withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan on ‘Particular Report’
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A U.S. Marine officer who was relieved of his command for breaking rank and calling out the brass over the chaotic and lethal evacuation of American troops from Afghanistan by which 13 service members had been killed mentioned Monday that he was ordered to endure a psychological well being screening.
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was fired after posting a video on social media the place he criticized army leaders over the botched exit. Within the footage, the 17-year Marine, simply three years shy of a full pension, mentioned took leaders to process.
“I am not saying we should be in Afghanistan ceaselessly, however I’m saying, did any of you throw your rank on the desk and say, ‘Hey, it’s a nasty concept to evacuate Bagram Airfield, a strategic airbase, earlier than we evacuate everybody?'” Scheller mentioned final Thursday. “Did anybody do this? And if you didn’t assume to do this, did anybody elevate their hand and say, ‘We utterly messed this up?'”
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Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller is demanding senior U.S. leaders maintain themselves accountable for actions made through the U.S. Army’s withdrawal from Afghanistan that led to the deaths of 13 servicemembers. (Credit score: Scheller video screenshot)
(Scheller video screenshot)
In an internet put up on Monday, Scheller mentioned his commanding officer ordered him to go to a hospital for the psychological well being screening. He mentioned he was evaluated by psychological well being specialists and “then despatched on my method.”
Fox Information has reached out to the Marine Corps.
Although he understood the order, Scheller questioned why some leaders excuse the actions of army members due to Put up-Traumatic Stress Dysfunction (PTSD), saying it does extra harm than any trauma in fight. He additionally famous that he has been in “very traumatic fight conditions.”
“However due to that I’m STRONGER,” he wrote. “Put up traumatic progress. In case you’re frightened about somebody… it’s best to attain out and examine on them. However by no means excuse a service member’s actions with a wave of the hand to PTSD. You might be crippling them by failing to carry them accountable.”
He additionally mentioned better accountability from senior army leaders would go a good distance in assuaging disgrace or guilt in service members. He cited a Could 6 assertion from protection Secretary Anthony Lloyd Austin by which he cited COVID-19 as probably the most speedy risk to the Division of Protection.
Scheller cited the 2020 Nationwide Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report launched by the Division of Veterans Affairs (VA) that exposed that greater than 6,000 veterans took their very own lives in 2018. The report mentioned there was a mean of 17.6 veteran suicides per day that yr.
The numbers proceed to rise, Scheller mentioned.
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He additionally apologized if his preliminary video scared anybody. He famous that he wasn‘t going anyplace and is petrified of his upcoming retirement.
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“Everyone seems to be scared that the load of the system is crashing down on me. However I do know one thing you don’t… it’s the system that’s going to interrupt. Not me,” he mentioned.
“I’m transferring ahead with my resignation. I, like a lot of you, am very scared,” he added. “However braveness isn’t the absence of concern, it’s the flexibility to beat it. On the finish of the day, if I stand with accountability and integrity, the system can’t beat me.”
In a follow-up video posted on-line Sunday, Scheller mentioned he thinks the plan was for the army to let him serve out his remaining three years earlier than he might retire.
“I’m resigning my fee as a United States Marine efficient now,” Scheller mentioned. “I’m positive there’s some [Marine Administrative Message] admin on how I’m supposed to do this and I’ll work by that. However I’ve forfeited my retirement, all entitlements. I don’t need a single greenback. I don’t need any cash from the VA.”
“All I requested for was accountability of my senior leaders,” he added. “When there are clear, apparent errors that had been made, I’m not saying we are able to take again what has been executed.”
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox Information Digital. Story suggestions may be despatched to louis.casiano@fox.com.
