Sorry to hear that. I've had two former friends that lost it all due to terrible things they were doing in the shadows. In a sense, you feel fooled and violated as if they sinned against you simply because they were two-faced and had you believing that their life was better than yours.

I really liked them. One was my roommate and best friend for a while in the Marines. He was Pilipino and his family was still in the PI. Come to find out years later that after we were permanently stationed and he moved his family stateside, he was molesting his own daughter and my kids used to hang out at their house!

Another co-worker here locally was the nicest guy. Army veteran, served and deployed to the Middle East, conservative, hunter... just a cool dude. He disappeared from work one day and I found out 2 months later that he was detained at the airport during the holidays on kiddie porn charges. IT surrendered his laptop to the police.

I've had to work hard for everything I have. Im faithful to my wife. I pay my taxes. I walk the straight and narrow. I devote my heart and should into parenting my kids and loving my wife.

My first wife was not faithful and I literally lost everything to that whore and another "friend". I've got no remorse for anyone who can't keep their dick in their pants or their knees together. They reap what they sow. I have pity on their kids and those in the family who were wronged, but for the offenders, BURN, YOU SOB'S!

Again, I'm sorry for your shock and disappointment. I've had to learn to cut two-faced friends and family from my life and never look back. These people have always been, and always will be, schemers, liars and opportunists. Eventually, it catches up to them.

Tony.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
It all hinges on the judge who...is a woman. Good luck with that.

If they are in fact having a "bench trial," the defense knew who the military judge was before they made the decision to forego a trial with court martial panel (jury). So they must have felt confident in the judge's ability to fairly view the evidence and arrive at a verdict.

There are very good lawyers that specialize in representing military members at Courts Martial proceedings.

His career is probably over and if convicted, he'll be reduced to E1 and sentenced.

It's tough to stand by friends when the make mistakes of this magnitude.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
He had it all...great family, graduated from a splendid high school and then an honorable college...achieved his (our) dream in the Navy and made chief at 9 years. Wonderful wife, home, and kid.

The internet is ablaze right now with the trial of a SEAL CPO. If that's your friend he's done for even if the most serious charges are dismissed. Thing is, the SEAL on trial is not marrried, so that leads me to believe that's not your friend.

At any rate it sucks to see someone you're so close to have to go through something like this. All you can do is be there for him as a friend.

What a shame. Seems all there is left is what we can learn from it. What I see is that the path to destruction begins with little steps; tiny paces of immorality.

quote:

Originally posted by exx1976:
I don't know anything about the inner workings of the military, but life without parole for sticking your dick somewhere it don't belong? That sounds like a very harsh punishment for something like that.

Yikes.

Sorry to hear this, Chongo.

No idea of charges involved. But based on my knowledge of military courts (not all that wide) I can not conceive a situation in which sexual misconduct would rise to life without parole.

Must be more to this than some guy having sex with the wrong woman.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by exx1976:
I don't know anything about the inner workings of the military, but life without parole for sticking your dick somewhere it don't belong? That sounds like a very harsh punishment for something like that.

Yikes.

Sorry to hear this, Chongo.

No idea of charges involved. But based on my knowledge of military courts (not all that wide) I can not conceive a situation in which sexual misconduct would rise to life without parole.

Must be more to this than some guy having sex with the wrong woman.

Without going into detail (as the original poster requested), the UCMJ is a totally different animal when it comes some charges.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
He had it all...great family, graduated from a splendid high school and then an honorable college...achieved his (our) dream in the Navy and made chief at 9 years. Wonderful wife, home, and kid.

The internet is ablaze right now with the trial of a SEAL CPO. If that's your friend he's done for even if the most serious charges are dismissed. Thing is, the SEAL on trial is not marrried, so that leads me to believe that's not your friend.

At any rate it sucks to see someone you're so close to have to go through something like this. All you can do is be there for him as a friend.

Oh, he's married. Read the articles closer, or a different one...they are excited to point it out.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
He had it all...great family, graduated from a splendid high school and then an honorable college...achieved his (our) dream in the Navy and made chief at 9 years. Wonderful wife, home, and kid.

The internet is ablaze right now with the trial of a SEAL CPO. If that's your friend he's done for even if the most serious charges are dismissed. Thing is, the SEAL on trial is not marrried, so that leads me to believe that's not your friend.

At any rate it sucks to see someone you're so close to have to go through something like this. All you can do is be there for him as a friend.

Oh, he's married. Read the articles closer, or a different one...they are excited to point it out.

Article 134 is the catch all article that also covers adultery.

"Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."

Just a general observation about life, difficulties and the future/change.

We all face our own share and it generally works out; we all have to come to terms with consequences of our actions and it's still up to us to make the best of it. Help your friend see this ... and hope he gets a fair hearing with good counsel. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
He had it all...great family, graduated from a splendid high school and then an honorable college...achieved his (our) dream in the Navy and made chief at 9 years. Wonderful wife, home, and kid.

The internet is ablaze right now with the trial of a SEAL CPO. If that's your friend he's done for even if the most serious charges are dismissed. Thing is, the SEAL on trial is not marrried, so that leads me to believe that's not your friend.

At any rate it sucks to see someone you're so close to have to go through something like this. All you can do is be there for him as a friend.

Oh, he's married. Read the articles closer, or a different one...they are excited to point it out.

Article 134 is the catch all article that also covers adultery.

"Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."

To which he has openly confessed. Based on that alone, I expect he is done. What a goddamn shame.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
He had it all...great family, graduated from a splendid high school and then an honorable college...achieved his (our) dream in the Navy and made chief at 9 years. Wonderful wife, home, and kid.

The internet is ablaze right now with the trial of a SEAL CPO. If that's your friend he's done for even if the most serious charges are dismissed. Thing is, the SEAL on trial is not marrried, so that leads me to believe that's not your friend.

At any rate it sucks to see someone you're so close to have to go through something like this. All you can do is be there for him as a friend.

Oh, he's married. Read the articles closer, or a different one...they are excited to point it out.

Article 134 is the catch all article that also covers adultery.

"Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."

To which he has openly confessed. Based on that alone, I expect he is done. What a goddamn shame.

This is just my opinion; I have been retired for several years but considering the other charges, the adultery probably will not come into play, even if he is not convicted. Having said that; If this is the same case I read about, they have a very damning text message from him.

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by exx1976:
I don't know anything about the inner workings of the military, but life without parole for sticking your dick somewhere it don't belong? That sounds like a very harsh punishment for something like that.

Yikes.

Sorry to hear this, Chongo.

No idea of charges involved. But based on my knowledge of military courts (not all that wide) I can not conceive a situation in which sexual misconduct would rise to life without parole.

Must be more to this than some guy having sex with the wrong woman.

Without going into detail (as the original poster requested), the UCMJ is a totally different animal when it comes some charges.

I appreciate that. I realize I've introduced the need to talk about at least some of it. He is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and several other things. However, it's certainly began with having sex with the wrong woman. If you seek out and read an article, I believe that I am presenting it as accurately as possible, despite my obvious interest.

quote:

Based on that alone, I expect he is done.

Yes... his military career is over. But, from what I've read, there's a good chance he is not convicted on the rape charge.
After all is said and done with the military he can attempt to re-build his life and save his marriage. Redemption is a tough and humbling experience. It's up to him whether he wants it or not.

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

If I were in his shoes, I hope at least one friend would stand by me without judgment and still be my friend. That's not saying I want my friend to believe I'm right; I'm just saying I would need a friend to be with me even though I fucked up.

On the other hand, I think the weakness in your friend's judgment was indicated in his $200,000 wedding. Unless that $200,000 was less than 20% of his net worth at the time, it shows he has a tendency to think with his small brain than with his big brain.

Consequences can be pretty harsh in the civilian world but the military makes it doubly so especially for people in his position. I don't think the woman is going to go unscathe either because of her admitted affair with him.

Like I said, there but for the grace of God go I. I know I have nothing in my being that would have kept me from the predicament he is facing now if I were in his shoes.

If you are going to do this stuff, texting isn't going away when it's deleted on one phone, that stuff like anything else posted on the interwebs can come back and bite you in the ass.

Sorry for your friend, sounds like he made some bad decisions with the wrong head guiding him....

Of course, I have no idea if your friend is guilty or not.

I am very sorry that you find yourself in this terrible situation. If he is guilty, you have been betrayed by his actions. If he isn't, you have to watch your friend suffer.

For those who are not familiar with the UCMJ, do some research.

You will get an education.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by ulsterman:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
He had it all...great family, graduated from a splendid high school and then an honorable college...achieved his (our) dream in the Navy and made chief at 9 years. Wonderful wife, home, and kid.

The internet is ablaze right now with the trial of a SEAL CPO. If that's your friend he's done for even if the most serious charges are dismissed. Thing is, the SEAL on trial is not marrried, so that leads me to believe that's not your friend.

At any rate it sucks to see someone you're so close to have to go through something like this. All you can do is be there for him as a friend.

Oh, he's married. Read the articles closer, or a different one...they are excited to point it out.

Article 134 is the catch all article that also covers adultery.

"Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."

To which he has openly confessed. Based on that alone, I expect he is done. What a goddamn shame.

They don't just charge an Article 134 violation, and then get to put on any evidence they want hoping the Court finds something to support a 134 conviction.

If you have experience with this, or even just read the relevant portions of the MCM (linked to earlier), specific offenses are described under 134, with specific elements that must be proven. So there would actually need to be an Article 134-Adultery charge.

I've only read two news stories related to this case, and again the media often has huge inaccuracies, but I have not seen anything that suggests they've charged the 134-Adultery. However, from the one article that actually provided offense descriptions and UCMJ article citations, it appears they have charged Article 134-Kidnapping.

So if they didn't actually charge the Adultery under 134, that "confession" is irrelevant.

If it is the same person I read about, there are several excellent lawyers in the NOVA area that are very well versed in the military law.

This appears to have started as consensual sex and moved into a different status. That in and of itself, makes a rape charge hard to prove to a jury. I will guess the prosecution has good evidence (i.e. text messages).

I have watched a couple of friends being led away in cuffs. It is hard to stomach. You can only do what is right for your friend. If in fact the lady was raped, she has to live with that the rest of her life. If in fact he did the crime, then he has to accept the consequences. His family will lose their benefits. It is a train wreck all the way around.