Gilbert Blades - The Scourge of UK MOD Courts Martial
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: raf
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder how many of these court martial acquittals back in the day were down to overzealous old school WO’s and Flight Commanders who made up their own charges?
For example, if they had an Airman who they didn’t like, he’d be charged for the slightest of things to “sort him out”. When no law was broken and with very little prosecution evidence.
I often thought that military discipline was a kangaroo court that relied on SAC Bloggs being scared into accepting it rather than pleading not guilty.
GB probably came along and saw proper disciplinary procedures werent followed as the charging Officer was the Judge, Jury and Executioner all in one, sometimes making it up as they went along.
I never understood how they could prove bringing the service into disrepute? Did they ask the public?
For example, if they had an Airman who they didn’t like, he’d be charged for the slightest of things to “sort him out”. When no law was broken and with very little prosecution evidence.
I often thought that military discipline was a kangaroo court that relied on SAC Bloggs being scared into accepting it rather than pleading not guilty.
GB probably came along and saw proper disciplinary procedures werent followed as the charging Officer was the Judge, Jury and Executioner all in one, sometimes making it up as they went along.
I never understood how they could prove bringing the service into disrepute? Did they ask the public?
When I was a young SLt doing my bridge watch keeping training we had a short port visit. On getting ready to sail we were missing one of the trainees. He had last been spotted the night before being led away by a comely young woman at a bar. The ship wasn't going to wait so it was warped out of the narrow spot in the confined camber. Just as the last line forward was being let go he appeared at a full run and leaped onto the lifelines forward just as the ship started to gather sternway.
He then made his way to the bridge and reported to the XO. The Captain seeing this growled "Five Hundred and Two Weeks, ( ie a fine of $500 and 2 weeks confined to the ship) and tell the Coxswain to do up a charge sheet for my signature" and then continued give engine and helm orders to conn the ship out of the harbour.
The facts of the matter were not in dispute, the punishment was universally considered appropriate and when the young lad was asked if the night was worth it he replied "Totally!!!!!"
There is a place for summary justice in the Military and yes it has been abused but IMO 96% of the time the system worked fine.
He then made his way to the bridge and reported to the XO. The Captain seeing this growled "Five Hundred and Two Weeks, ( ie a fine of $500 and 2 weeks confined to the ship) and tell the Coxswain to do up a charge sheet for my signature" and then continued give engine and helm orders to conn the ship out of the harbour.
The facts of the matter were not in dispute, the punishment was universally considered appropriate and when the young lad was asked if the night was worth it he replied "Totally!!!!!"
There is a place for summary justice in the Military and yes it has been abused but IMO 96% of the time the system worked fine.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cheshire, California, Geneva, and Paris
Age: 67
Posts: 867
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also suspect that for a considerable number of very good and professional people being subject to certain examples of military "justice" would be the impetus to seeking their fortunes elsewhere to the detriment of the service and the taxpayer.
