Recruiting pressure leads to sergeant’s court martial

[Barrett808]

Source: The Oregonian

PORTLAND — Recruiting pressures have resulted in a court martial and fine for an Oregon National Guard Iraq veteran who said he chose it over administrative punishment to draw attention to the problem.

“My main goal was simply to be heard,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew J. Hellman.

He was fined just $25 on each of two charges after pleading guilty to disrespect to a superior and disobedience over changes in the Guard’s program for recruits.

The judge, Lt. Col. Martin Mote, said that Hellman’s chain of command had failed to communicate “drastic changes” in the recruiting program.

“Leadership can prevent these types of things from happening,” Mote said.

Read more: http://www.dailytidings.com/2007/0725/stories/0725_recruiting.php