Green Beret Archives

Should Green Beret Who Protected Afghan Boy From Molestation Be Discharged?

February 27, 2016/in Military, Military News

Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland’s Army career changed course during his second deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. The decorated Army sergeant who protected an Afghan boy from a child molester will find out any day whether his actions will end his career in the military.

Army Secretary John McHugh “agreed to postpone Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland’s discharge from the Army” to allow him to file an appeal with the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records. But that postponement is up.

The Green Beret admitted that he lost his cool and struck an Afghan police commander who had allegedly confessed to raping a boy and then beating the child’s mother for telling authorities. Martland served in the Special Forces for 11 years, and many of his teammates say that he is the finest soldier they have ever served alongside.

Martland had said that he had encountered corrupt police officials who were conducting beatings, honor killings and rapes that went unpunished. When he became aware of the atrocity that had befallen this child and his mother, Martland said it was too much.

In a memo to the Army Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center, Martland admitted to striking the Afghan.

Last year, amid military cuts, the Army Human Resources Command recommended Martland be discharged in part based on his disciplinary record, but an official decision by U.S. Army brass is expected by March 1.

“After acting to protect a child from sexual assault from an Afghan commander, SFC Martland was punished and could be kicked out of the military at any time,” said Jay Sekulow, of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). “What’s equally disturbing are reports that the military has allowed Afghanistan forces to sexually abuse young children on U.S. bases.”

On the ACLJ website, Sekulow wrote: “Here’s the bottom line: SFC Martland acted in compliance with U.S. and international law and should not face punishment – and ultimately expulsion – from the military. He should be commended – not castigated – for his brave actions. The fate of a U.S. war hero is at stake.”

We couldn’t agree more.

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Green Beret-UFC Fighter Tim Kennedy on ISIS Threat List

February 7, 2016/in Government, Military, Military News

By Debbie Gregory.

Following credible threats against him by followers of the Islamic State, Special Forces soldier and UFC fighter Tim Kennedy responded with four words: “Let those cowards come.”

Kennedy served in 7th Special Forces Group, and is now a sergeant first class with the Texas National Guard.

Threats are nothing new to Kennedy. He says that the majority of them come from what he calls “military trolls” who target high-profile military figures.

The FBI reached out to Kennedy, asking him if he was aware of the threats. Kennedy said he was. According to the mixed martial artist, the reason nobody has tried to kill him is simple.

“That’s because they are nothing but cowardly and impotent murderers who prey on the weak. They look for soft targets who don’t know how to defend themselves. They seek out the most defenseless in order to make themselves appear stronger than they really are. I’m not a soft target and they hate that.”

When Kennedy isn’t taunting terrorists into trying to kill him he can usually be found training for MMA, where he holds an impressive 18-5 record.

Kennedy enlisted in 2003 under the 18X (Special Forces candidate) program. He attended basic training and Airborne school at Fort Benning GA as an 11B (Infantry), before he continued Special Forces training at Fort Bragg North Carolina.

“What’s the definition of terrorism?” Kennedy said. “It’s to achieve an objective through the use of force and fear. These are just nasty, evil, disgusting human beings who disrespect human life. I teach people how to live with threats like this. Who would I be to be cowering to a bunch of gutless cowards acting like a bunch of tough guys online?”

Kennedy is currently assigned to Special Operations Detachment (A) as a Senior Special Forces Weapons Sgt.

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The True Definition of a Hero: Military Connection

August 23, 2015/in Military, Military News, Military Veteran

By Debbie Gregory.

A Special Forces soldier dove into stormy waves to save a drowning girl. But the water was shallow, breaking the soldier’s neck and leaving the hero paralyzed.

However, Sgt. 1st Class Tim Brumit, is determined to walk again, and resume a normal life through determination, spiritual faith and the expertise of his doctors.

A sudden storm at Crab Island churned up winds and crashing waves. Hearing screams that a child was drowning, Brumit rushed to help. The 32 year old Green Beret dove off a pontoon boat anchored off a beach community near his post at Eglin Air Force Base after spotting the 13 year old girl as she struggled in the surf. Brumit dove in without giving it a second thought.

He later said that he had misjudged the waves passing under his boat, not realizing how shallow the water was at that spot.

After his head hit the sand, a fellow soldier pulled Brumit’s body onto a surfboard to wait for help. Other boaters saved the girl.

“I’ve been through tougher. This is not gonna set me back,” he said. Brumit has deployed 11 times in the past 12 years as a member of the 7th Special Forces Group.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Colby Maher has been treating Brumit at the Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. He is being moved in the next few days to the Atlanta Spine Center. Emergency surgeries have enabled Brumit to regain the use of his arms, and he amazes physical therapists with his dedication and hard work during his rehabilitation.

Throughout his recovery, he has embraced the family motto instilled by his father: “what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.”

“That’s how we special operations guys look at it.” He challenged the physical therapist, “What’s your record? I’ll beat it,’

Randy Brumit said his son has told his surgeon from his bed, “I’m going to walk back in and shake your hand and thank you for what you’ve done with me.”

He knows that seeing his son walk again is “very far away.” He has created a Facebook page to provide updates on his son.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their families. We are the go-to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go-to site.

The True Definition of a Hero: Military Connection: by Debbie Gregory

Green Beret Killed In Kabul : Military Connection

August 14, 2015/in Military, Military News

By Debbie Gregory.

A Special Forces soldier killed last week in Afghanistan has been recommended for the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, for his actions during a bloody attack in Kabul that claimed his life. He will also posthumously receive a Purple Heart.

Master Sgt. Peter Andrew McKenna Jr., 35, was struck by enemy small arms fire during an attack on a NATO facility in Kabul, and died from his wounds. The Army Green Beret from Rhode Island had recently been honored at a Fourth of July parade in his hometown of Bristol.

The 17-year Army veteran had also served in Iraq, and was awarded the Bronze Star with V device for heroism in combat operations, as well as the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed was also present at the Bristol Fourth of July parade to present McKenna with a U.S. flag that had flown over the Capitol.

Reed called McKenna “an extraordinary young man with a big heart and a dedicated, distinguished soldier.”

Outgoing Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said, “This reminds us we have soldiers around the world doing dangerous things every single day.” Odierno said.

From all accounts of those who knew McKenna, he was one of the best of the best. Words like caring, empathetic, genuine and remarkable were used to describe him by those he served alongside.

Retired Master Sgt. Christopher Corbin is a double amputee who served with McKenna. He credits McKenna for playing a critical role in his recovery.

“When I was injured, he stayed with me, for weeks, literally, up at Walter Reed,” said Corbin, who retired last year. “Every time I opened my eyes from whatever surgery or medication, Drew was right there. He’s that guy you can count on.”

Rhode Island state flags will be flown at half-staff through McKenna’s funeral services.

McKenna began his service in 1998 as an infantryman, and qualified for Special Forces in 2002. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, now based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, as communications sergeant in 2003. He earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic studies from Norwich University last year.

Our sincerest condolences go out to McKenna’s parents, Peter and Carol, and all of his friends and loved ones.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their families. We are the go-to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go-to site.