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Dave2 wrote:

Rex B wrote:+1 for Alan West

Might be too soon though.

Nothing in his Wikipedia entry makes me want him to not run, but that's all I know about the guy.

West was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. During a hearing held as part of an Article 32 investigation in November 2003, West stated, "I know the method I used was not right, but I wanted to take care of my soldiers."[citation needed] The charges were ultimately referred to an Article 15 proceeding rather than court-martial, at which West was fined $5,000.[11] LTC West accepted the judgment and retired with full benefits in the summer of 2004. Asked if he would have act differently if under similar circumstances again, West testified, "If it's about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I'd go through [heck] with a gasoline can."[13] After Colonel West was relieved of his command, an interpreter said that without his presence the region he previously oversaw became more dangerous and chaotic.[11]

At his hearing, West pointed out that there were no further ambushes against American forces in Taji until he was relieved of his leadership post on October 4.[6] After West's retirement, he received more than 2,000 letters and e-mails offering him moral support.[11] Furthermore, a letter supporting West was signed by 95 members of Congress and sent to the Secretary of the Army.[11]