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Fethi Belaid / AFP - Getty Images file
U.S. General William 'Kip' Ward speaks to reporters in Tunis in 2008.
A four-star general who formerly led the U.S. Africa Command has been demoted after accusations that he spent thousands of dollars on lavish travel, NBC News reported.
A senior defense official told NBC News that Gen. William "Kip" Ward was stripped of a star, and will be allowed to retire as a three-star lieutenant general.
According to a Defense Department Inspector General’s Report released in August, Ward took an 11-day trip to Washington and Atlanta, costing $129,000, in which only three days of the trip were official business. The military charged that Ward extended trips seven times for personal reasons and claimed and received reimbursement for expenses.
Ward was also accused of improperly bringing his wife along on government-paid trips — one of those included a seven-day mission to Bermuda — and her unauthorized use of armored vehicles.
Ward denied the allegations.
The Army is trying to recoup $82,000 from Ward, NBC News reported.
Ward’s demotion comes on the heels of revelations about retired Gen. David Petraeus, who resigned as director of the CIA, citing an extramarital affair. In addition, the Defense Department is investigating Gen. John Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, over allegations of “inappropriate” emails between him and the woman who sparked the Petraeus probe.
NBC News' Pentagon producer Courtney Kube contributed to this report.
Those who know the two women at the center of General David Petraeus' affair scandal are speaking out. Jill Kelley's brother says she is "dedicated" to her husband, while Paula Broadwell's friend calls her "a pretty great person." NBC's Kristen Welker reports.
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Leave a Comment:
Do we have generals, admirals who believe they have a god given right to abuse the system? When you have people who have access to large amounts of $ and power they arent used to being questioned. The military brass for the last decade has had few questioning its actions, folks give them a pass because of the war, perhaps that needs changed.
Power corrupts humans, soon they rise above the Law and ethics. It's common.
Easy. Withhold it from his retirement.
square-they are just setting the example set by their boss.
...I am upset; expected more out of this and other genereals...these guys are typically absolute leaders of their jurisdictions, checked infrequently and reigning supremely...so seems to confirm, absolute power leads to absolute corruption.
...to the republic --- your comment is clearly uninformed, as well as others; any fool in the military or familiar with it, knows while the CINC is just that, these generals operate with autonomy...influenced less by the CINC, but more by the Military Code, privileges of rank and position, fear of subordinates to cross them, UCMJ and their own values, morals and ethics. Criminals don't give a hoot about laws, as liars, deviants or opportunists (like you) care that their misdirected assertions are rooted in fact.
As General Bruce Clarke said in his pamphlet on leadership and command "you weren't placed in command to exercise your idiosyncracies and take advantage of the perks of your position."
Dishonorable discharge no retirement, no retirement benefits including medical.
Is it coincidence or a purge? If a purge then it's a good sign that Obama is getting a grip on his captains, and might get ready to do something bigger in this society. It's part of the job we elected him for I suppose.
"flexibility" to get rid of his opposition.
Fak you sir a hole,Probally faked a 100 black tribal woman on the tax suckers dime
Ha ha he he ho ho.
Gen homie must go
Some people just cannot seem to manage having power. I'd like to retire on a three star general's pension. What is that, about $9000 a month?
KEEPING IT THOUGHTFULLY HONEST: Now we know why President Bush and those
Senate Republicans during the conduct of those wars for weapons of mass destruction , kept telling to us, "let's “wait” to see what the Generals have to say
with their thoughtful war strategies!" THE INCONVENIENT TRUTH: Apparently, the
General were too busy taking care of their first business with their women socializing
to set up their sexual dating priority arrangements and spending too! However, it does seem that they do have nice taste in the selection of attractive women and who knows what other hidden talents they may have! Hum…
had he been enlisted he would have been ousted and would of not received any retirement. Once again a double standard in our military.
So correct . All I can think about is the soldier who posted comment on his face-book page and that was the end of his service.By the way this is nothing new with the 3 and 4 stars the two stars are also big headed. Having served almost 25 years in the Army I came across a few of them
why worry about ward? try to get back some of what obama has lavishly blown away,idiots!!!
Why worry about Ward. Try to recover some of what Obama has lavishly blown away,Idiots!!!
...you clearly turn a blind eye to the comparatively inequitable comings and going of other generals, senate and house members and other government (state and local as well) who abuse their positions...of all and any party...don't put one on the firing line and allow those who set up the scheme to fire the bullets. Republicans waste just as much money as Democrats; no party has a hold on corruption. Assign blame where it belongs and don't a blanket or shot gun blast to any one party...current President didn't put in place the current War or the Billions wasted (blown away) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
$129,000 for an 11 days trip???
He's not the only one. Who pocketed all this money?
No body can spend that much money... $13,000 a day.
If someone else doesn't draw some fire I say give him back the Star and forget it happened.
There are people who will take a cheap shot at the President, no matter what the topic.
DNFTT
I watched the Asian Media this morning, as Obama and Family departed Air Force One in Myanmar...
Saturday he will be in Thailand for a short visit and tour of the Thai Palace and many other places...
Obama will be reminded of the U-Tapao deal with NASA & Thailand. Thanks - but NO-THANKS...
This makes how many trips for him and the family the last 3.5+years???
At least this time they used only one airplane for themselves. Not like the EU trip where the wife had her own plane...
Next week the New Chinese Leader will be in Thailand, closing numerous business/trade deals, already made...
Remember the $3+billion USD loan Obama made to Brazil, so they could develop their off-shore oil reserves??? This enabled them to send oil to China. China had already reached a $10+billion deal with guaranteed oil deliveries for a decade...
BTY - I will be in BKK - If his motorcade comes by I will shot him a MOON & one finger salute...
AC Robertson, Like Nixon, Reagan, Bush I and Bush II never took vacation or went on any government trips?
If it were some lowly enlisted person they would be court marshaled and given a dishonorable discharge along with some brig time.
This schmuck gets to retire as a high paid 3 star and will most likely get a cushy big business job.
Typical of the military top level taking care of each other. Another bad mark against the US military.
His demotion will mean nothing to his retirement...the military retirement caps out at a 1 star generals, so the 2,3,4 star generals all make the same in retirement...not a lot of pity from me...
Wrong - thanks foy playing, TJ.
http://thefreedomfactory.us/2008/12/22/living-off-the-government-and-still-not-satisfied/
Sorry rules changed in 2008...
Prove it.
I googled Army Times, went to the archive and found the info, as opposed to an anti-military website. If that didn't work I looked at my husbands pay stub and figured the difference between an O6 and 07-09 retirement pay....he still gets no pity from me. The mark of a good officer is his or her moral standard...he doesn't have one....
This is how you would calculate retired pay for most service members that like him entered active duty before 8 Sep 1980:
Here is the law, last updated in 2006 according to the website: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/1407a?quicktabs_8=2#quicktabs-8
Take note that it references title 37 which says:
You see the part about not exceeding Level 2 of the Executive schedule? It has been around forever and I doubt if it has changed since 2006. That means his retired pay is capped at $179,700 even though when you calculate what it should be, based on him falling under the Final Pay retirements system, a monthly base salary (Over 38) times his years of service (39) times 2.5%, is $198,619.20.
http://www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/pdf/ex.pdf
He is going to get the same amount of money that he would have if he retired as an O-10.
He should have just charged it to haliburton, they have carte blanche to rape and kill on behalf of the American tax slave, and the ability to send palettes of cash to nowhere. Why did he bring his wife along, he should have rented a pro.
This is what happens when you are constantly being told "Yes" by everyone under you. Eventually you believe that the rules no longer apply to you and that you can do anything you want.
I wonder how many Soldiers this guy took rank from for TDY fraud over his career. He should send them all a personal apology. Oh how the mighty are falling.....