Quote:
Originally Posted by iambecomelife
It's good to know my taxes help pay this sociopath's salary.
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Yikes that's a bit harsh.
There is no doubt that the LT's actions indicated a severe incompatibility wiht flying fighter aircraft. The articles are using the word "deliberate" in an, in my opinion, unfair and inaccurate way.
Yes, the missile launch was not accidental so therefore it was deliberate. But it was not deliberate from a malicious standpoint. There was no indication that he intended on murdering the other aircrew.
I think your use of the word sociopath is inaccurate.
There has not been anything I have read that would indicate he was a sociopath. He may be an idiot and I am glad he was not entrusted to handle missiles any more.
The LT made a dumbass decision and subsequently he was yanked from flying. But then for the next 25 years he applied himself, rebuilt himself and has lived a militarily productive life. Twenty-five years. 25 years of loyal service to our country. That's what your tax dollars have paid for... 25 years of service during an officer's career.
There is no denying that he was incompetent at being a pilot. But to paint a picture that he somehow intended to shoot down a US aircraft or that he is sociopath is unjustified.
My question is why during a non-fire exercise would control give him an order to fire a missile. You train as you fight and in the excitement of combat, you want people to carry out orders pretty much automatically. But that's another issue. The core issue was that this LT was a dangerous and untrustworthy pilot.
I am not familiar with the details of his 25 year career, but I assume there are some in the Navy who are... and they feel his promotion is justified.
Is there a ring knocking culture in the Navy? Uh yeah. Does it help to have a dad who's a 3 star? uh yeah. But both of those will carry someone only so far. Yeah, he got a break when he was an LT, but that was 25 years ago and he has taken these 25 years and, evidently, made good use of them in the service of our country.