April 18, 2006 - 8:47 a.m.
Big Sam finally choked himself last week. Ended his military career. For over five years I kept telling the commanders something was amiss. I could not sit by and watch smooth talking Sam self-destruct. It seemed the big man could not tell the truth for very long. He would leave messages on the answering machine at wee hours in the morning. When no one was there to answer. Making up excuses why he couldn't come to work. Why he needed to leave early. He seldom came to retirement dinners. Although he would leave early as if he were going to attend. It got on my nerves. The assorted fabrications. I documented all the various inconsistencies in a Microsoft Word file. Some thought I was picking on Sam. He would use the race card at every turn. To justify his bad behavior or direct the spotlight on someone else. I liked him in the beginning. I even made a strong, convincing argument to get him promoted. For two years, he was extremely grateful. Would accomplish every task I gave him. Very appreciative. Then the spots slowly came back into full view. A leopard incapable of change. Unlike my predecessors, I documented his inconsistent stories. I patiently observed. And was quite shocked to discover we were dealing with a pathological liar. A very manipulative person. It came as no surprise to me, the abrupt ending. Upon further investigation, we discovered he falsified official government forms. And failed to properly disclose two prior arrests. Why? For personal gain. To maintain his security clearance. To get a job promotion. To throw down the race card and charm hiring officials into giving him a better paying job over more qualified applicants. He did it for personal gain. Had I been the commander-in-charge, I would have initiated a court-martial hearing. And given Sam a dishonorable discharge. He has no integrity. No honor. Why allow him to retire with dignity when he discredited our profession. The uniform, American flag, and country he pledged to honor and serve. I think empathy had something to do with it. Commander didn't want to disgrace another black man. And the world keeps spinning on its blue and white axis.
~ Soldier Girl
