Duty to Investigate by J. W. Stone

Author:J. W. Stone [Stone, J.W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Warriors Publishing Group
Published: 2013-04-25T17:09:37+00:00

0900, 6 November 2004

SJA Office

Camp Baharia, Iraq

The Outlook Reminder appeared on Beck’s screen at 0900: “I MEF Confirmation Brief-I MEF Commanding General’s Conference Room, Camp Fallujah.” The confirmation brief was the final briefing by the 4th Division staff to its superior unit, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, before commencement of the Second Battle of Fallujah. It was intended to make certain that Major General Scott’s boss, the Commanding General of I MEF, Lieutenant General Bailey, understood and approved all aspects of the Fourth Division’s battle plan.

Before leaving the office, Beck did a quick check of his uniform: felt for his rank insignia, re-bloused his trousers, and brushed the dust off his desert boots. He then picked up his green notebook, stuck a pen down the inside of his blouse buttons so that it could not be seen and headed to command deck for transportation to Camp Fallujah.

On arrival at I MEF Headquarters, he took an inconspicuous seat and looked around. The conference room was well furnished, even better than the 4th Division Conference room back in New Orleans. It had a massive table surrounded by 20 black leather chairs. Gen. Scott entered the room followed by the I MEF Commanding General, LtGen. Bailey.

“At ease, ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats.”

Each section in the 4th Division Battle Staff presented briefs using PowerPoint slides delivered to the S-3 the night before. Beck had four slides and briefed the generals on the rules of engagement for the upcoming Second Battle of Fallujah. The rules had been approved by the I MEF Staff Judge Advocate, Colonel Ray Moore, and by the MNC-I Staff Judge Advocate in Baghdad.

The briefs lasted less than an hour, and at the conclusion Gen. Bailey told everyone that he wanted to say a few things.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for a professional brief. I am honored to be here. It is obvious to me that this operation will be a success, and it has to be. This is a pro-active campaign.

Our profession is all about calculating risks. Nothing worth accomplishing can be done without risk. The Marine or soldier clearing a house in Fallujah with nothing but his body armor and rife takes an extreme risk.

“As commanders and staff officers, we also must be willing to take risks, including the risk of failure. I am willing to take that risk and to give you the top-cover you need.

“Let me say that I was in Washington, D.C. last week and that the American people support what we are doing here. The political debates are just that, politics. Don’t let your Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen think for one second that a politician doing his or her job of asking questions means that what we do here is not appreciated. It is, and it will be, as long as all of us do the right thing.

“America is watching you. I believe that historians will record the Second Battle of Fallujah as the turning point in this conflict.

“Good luck and God Bless.”

General

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