Via ThinkProgress this afternoon:
Despite Announcing His ‘Retirement,’ General Who Oversaw Walter Reed Scandal Still Serving In Army
On March 12, the Pentagon announced that Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, who oversaw neglect at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was resigning, effective immediately. NBC News Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski reported that it was "very likely" Kiley "would be reduced in retirement, at least one rank" and "be forced to retire at that two-star level."
In order to retire as a three-star general, Kiley would have had to do at least three years of active-duty service in that grade. The higher the grade, the greater the retirement pay and benefits a general receives.
Kiley was appointed Army Surgeon General on Sept. 30, 2004. Therefore, as Miklaszewski noted, he retired before serving out his three-year term at the three-star level.
But ThinkProgress has learned that Kiley is still serving at the Pentagon, despite announcing his "retirement" in March.
Here’s the deal: ThinkProgress has just related a story that explains how Commander Guy’s Defense Department is letting this poor excuse for a leader slip through the cracks of public opinion. They’re trying to let him skate through this ordeal, so as to allow him to hold his rank when he retires—even though that’s clearly not what the troops or the American public expected or desired. Essentially, if Kiley is allowed to serve until the end of September, he’ll be allowed to keep his stars and his retirement benefits—despite his ruinous reign over Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
For those who’ve forgotten, Kiley said the problems at Walter Reed weren’t serious, blamed junior leaders for the problems, blamed the media, and is the same guy who let a soldier sleep in his own urine, even after being notified by a Congressman’s wife.
But as far as I’m concerned, Kiley’s most serious transgression was his inability to take responsibility for what happened. And that’s what angers soldiers the most. He blamed those under him. Like an arrogant and aloof senior officer, he tried to throw his own soldiers under the bus when he said, "I don't do barracks inspections at Walter Reed." He doesn’t do barracks inspections? If he’s in charge, and there are indications that there may be a problem, then he damn well better do inspections. It’s his job.
As an officer whose own soldiers have been made to recover from battle wounds at Walter Reed, let me tell you what I think about this:
The Defense Department is right about one thing: Kevin Kiley shouldn’t have to retire with two stars. In fact, he shouldn’t retire with any. He should be reduced to a rank no higher than specialist (one rank above private first class), because every rank higher than specialist requires the soldier to be a leader—and to exhibit leadership qualities. And while Lieutenant General Kiley may be a superb doctor, he is no leader. Therefore, the Army shouldn’t reward him as such.
The Defense Department should force Kiley to retire immediately. It’s astounding that the American taxpayer still has to suffer such drags on the military for which we all pay. And it’s all the more shocking that, after all the hoopla surrounding the Walter Reed scandal earlier in the year, Kiley has been allowed to be so dishonest about retiring in order to retain his benefits. But I can’t say that I’m too surprised.