Don't Believe Everything You Read (on this blog)

Former Gen. Glasgow's letter has riled up a lot of people.

Judging from the comments, lots of folks were ready to take every word as gospel...

Since the letter was published, I've received plenty of phone calls and emails from folks who were closer to the situation than I was, rebutting the allegations against Gen. Pineada made in the letter.

As with any ongoing investigation, there is very little that Leadership can come out and talk about to explain their side of the story. That's just the nature of these things.

This is a classic example of, "He said /He said." Well there are two sides to any story, and folks need to look at things like this critically before they make decisions.

Here's an example of one note from a current CAP NCO, a former USAF Chief Master Sargent:

I spent 28 years in the Air Force where the focus was always: the mission, the mission, the mission.  I am stunned by the open disloyalty, political back biting and back stabbing, I see in CAP.  If it were up me to the Courts-Martial doc would be filled up for a year or two.  My God, how do you get anything done?

You'll find the full text of the Chief's letter after the jump.

Senator Harkin, General Pineda;

I am requesting that any further pursuit of Rex Glasgow's allegations
against General Pineda be dropped immediately.

I received an email from a CAP Officer who has direct knowledge of Glascow's
misconduct, and the lies and distortions contained in his letter. The sender
requested anonymity and I will honor that. I thought I was doing the right
thing, and now I am humiliated to have my name associated with this, or to
have had any part in.  There are not enough apologies in the world to undue
the damage done to General Pineda's reputation, I am responsible for this
and I pray his forgiveness.

I replied to the sender as follows:

"All this was inevitable and it has hurt our organization.  It sounds to me
like General Pineda is getting shafted in a despicable fashion - innuendo
and rumors.  Silence is consent and I'm glad you stepped forward.  I will
not betray your trust, but I urge you to do the right thing and forward this
to Senator Harkin's office and to General Pineda.  It will speed up the
resolution of this matter, salvage some dignity for General Pineda, and end
this stupid controversy once and for all.

Personally, I am sorry I sent that letter to Senator Harkin - it has done
more harm then good, put a good Commander under a cloud of suspicion, and
played directly into Glascow's plan of gorilla warfare - I couldn't feel
more like a fool.

I know how you feel personally.  It is terrible to watch a trusted friend go
bad.  But this is not your burden - he is relying on your loyalty to cover
his tracks.  You can't allow yourself to be used like that."

General Pineda, whatever I can do to correct this situation I will do.

Sincerely,

ROBERT D. CHIAFOS, CMSgt, CAP
Leadership Officer
78th Cadet Squadron (East Iowa)

Comments

[CAP.is.1337]

I just want to know the truth, and be done with all this!

[JAG]

The truth is important, but just as important are the serious issues of trust and fidelity shown by various CAP members in this scenario. Something similar, though seemingly less insidious occurred with the departure and demotion of Gen. Bergman several years ago. (Who has now regained his rank and is on the NEC) But that was nowhere near this level of betrayal if all of what is coming to light is true.

Not to mention the legal impact of the letter which has been dissemintated to the whole world via this blog and I'm sure other venues.

Again this is why it is madness for a leader of an organization such as this to be "elected" and then be allowed to appoint those who will "elect" him.

[Lieutenant Locke]

Ok, first of all, Glasgow's name has a typo in it, which leads me to believe it would not have been sent to a Senator and the National Commander without being proofread.

Second, if we are to take your advice, why should I believe this NCO (even if I respect his opinion) and his unnamed source?

Third, the thing that I personally think set people off about this letter is the mention of the extension of the National Commanders term. As most people pointed out, not even the military lets commanders stay in power for more than 3-4 years. New ideas should be introduced into the organization that is why the service term is limited to 3 years.

Then the new "Uniform". As a cadet, I can say "What the Heck?” metal insignia? Why?

Glasgow sent the letter to those people who can investigate these allegations. He is out of CAP, has nothing to lose, and if it is all false, then why would he call for an investigation? If he is wrong, and a compulsive liar, wouldn't he realize that once he is proven wrong, that those that still respected him, will not?

I know that this affects everyone that is why an investigation HAS to happen.

[Blackwing]

One can only surmise that Chief Chiafos is new to CAP, and does not understand a) that Pineda is not the same caliber of individual as the Air Force generals he is accustomed to, nor b) the means by which Pineda became a CAP general.

More to the point, even if the hands of the guy pointing the finger are dirty, it doesn't mean his allegations are without merit. Glasgow at least had the courage to say "go ahead, investigate me all you want, I've got nothing to hide"--a phrase you'll never hear pass from Pineda's lips, unless he's got the investigation team under his thumb. Roaches abhor nothing more than daylight.

I've heard enough first-hand accounts of Pineda's mis-deeds over the past 15 years to convince me that he is not fit for command, and I have personal knowledge of the type of indivuals he has sought to discredit in order to eliminate the threat they posed to his ambitions.

One has only to have watched the NB and NEC meeting webcasts to see that Pineda has squelched all open discussion and debate. I'm not sure whether he's modeling himself after Donald Rumsfeld or Bobby Knight, but the result is the same: groupthink and paralysis.

[WTF, OVER]

Chiafos is a retired USAF NCO, IAWG's color guard team coach and a member of Rex's old unit. This is getting curiouser and curiouser.

[Major Carrales]

One piece of advice to all...

"Never jump on a bandwagon...until you know all the words to the song?"

Major J. E. Carrales
17 May 2006

[Elthunter]

A: If Rex Glasgow's letter is false, or if he has done something improper as some have said, why publish the letter knowing it was going to bring scrutiny upon himself?

B: If MG Pineda has nothing to fear, why fight an investigation?

What ever the case, lets get everything out in the open and let the chips fall where they may? Damage has now already been done to CAP by airing dirty laundry to U.S. Congressmen. Better to completely investigate than to squelch an investigation and always leave the doubt that the rumors were true.

[Major Carrales]

I knew this would happen and warned against it...but this nonsense went forward anyways.

The forces poised against CAP scored big with this one. Now, I suggest this topic change to DAMAGE CONTROL and restoration of CAP intergrity. If it takes an investigation uncovering only a well maintained and fuctioning CAP...I say, bring it on. If rascals are uncovered and turned out in favor of better people...so be it. If this was a hoax or scorned former CAP officer...let that come out in the open and have the lawyers feast on the culprits.

Why one earth would anyone send a letter to a Congressman before knowing all the facts? That was an unfortunate miscalculation...'tis a deed that is done. I do not, blame the CAP NCO...I'm sure his passions were driven by integrity.

Again...
"Never jump on a bandwagon...until you know all the words to the song?"

Major J. E. Carrales

Solutions?

Major Carrales

[Blackwing]

Why one earth would anyone send a letter to a Congressman before knowing all the facts?

Uh, to keep the lid on a can of worms, maybe?

[JAG]

It seems that there are many unanswered questions in this situation. Why would someone publish a letter that was false? Simply, because they wish to stain the reputation of another (possibly deservadly so). Why would a former AF NCO send a letter to a Senator without checking his facts? Just because one is an AF NCO doesn't mean that he is some bulwark of common sense--passion is more likely the answer (possibly misplaced).

What does all this politicing tell me? That the AF and CAP need to do some serious soul searching about the future of this organization. It is not being utilized for the interests of the country, in many ways. Rather, it seems that much of its leadership is using it to create their own little principalities. Is is because they have no power to wield in their personal or professional lives? Probably.

Whatever the reason, the AF needs to step in and, in my opinion either take over or dismantle and rebuild its Auxiliary.

[Rod "FANBOY" Rakic]

I'm SURE that this the first time in the history of the US government that a member of the legislature has recieved a letter that contain half truths or incorrect information!!!!

Look at all the people going off half cocked in comments.

People say and do things based on the information they have. Sometimes that information is bad and the resulting action is later found to be incorrect.

Let's not assume that everyone in uniform is either perfect, or plain evil.

[Oilygarch]

Long time passing. Something is terminally wrong with the above picture.

I for one was actually very happy to see some ''diversity'' at the top. Although I certainly hope that this letter is a hoax, I have reasons to believe that often the roots of corruption are deeply seated from the top and center of an organization.

Corruption, the arbitrary and capricious appointment of loyalists and sooth-sayers without following the due procecss or even the spirit and letter of seemingly double-secret rules and regulations in place that would tap into a wide bae and diverse pool of qualified individuals; as well as the reckless disregard for human dignity and worth are cancers that would not only be evidenced in-situ should the alegations of our ex-Vice Commander's letter be proven. Although I do consider most of the individuals who serve to be of good moral intentions, the vice depicted in what may prove to actually be our ex-Vice's letter may not even reside within him but rather be pervasively permeated throughout localities several concentric rings outward as well as inward.

When a person in a high position who oversees a large number of staffers at a regional level also claims to be special advisor to a Wing Commander tells a state-level volunteer: "Shhhhh! We won't take it very lightly if your claims of selective rule-following and circumvention reach the National Level" only reaks of the same type of maneuvre. Yet, when even a state-level IG admits to an interest conflict, courtesy of the above arrangement, against resolution if any such greivance were to be brought to its attention after attempts by a volunteer to follow a revolvingly broken chain of command. And even at the regional level such conflict exists thereby perpetuating the immunity of the offenders. Then we act surprised when attrition and turn-over seems exhorbitantly and inexplicably high. And unlike as in the military, there are no ad-hoc mandatory retention rules that can suddenly be placed and leveraged to prevent the brain-drain and out-flow of quality personnel, thereby acting like a negative strange atractor leaving behind those who are less bothered by such ''distractions'' of the ''disgruntled'' heathens. For those who should truly be out-gassed say stuff such as ''good-riddence'' even when there are much fewer people to do the job.

It would seem that the stage is set for several violations in the same likeness of these power-grabs and demoralizations, in some cases perpetrated by people who are unused to positions of responsible power as would be evidenced by sudden displays of hubristic entitlement.

To a larger extent, this smacks of echoes of Abou Graib.

To make matters worse, is not this dysfunctional situation augmented three-fold if said person consorts and is co-located with the members of one of the states which forms that region, wears high CAP officer ranking, while simultaneously under the employ of CAP whereby a stready stippend is paid to them while impersonating a volunteer. Or is it lawful for a person who performs duties for CAP for stippend to routinely simultaneously wear CAP uniform? And if such personfification of CAP officership by way of sudden, not professional, but special and seemingly remunerable appointment is permissible, whereupon else might this also present itself to be the case? I've searched the Regs over and *PBFFFRRT* it was gone. Maybe it was there justa while ago!

To make matters worse, if the embedded overseeing salaried person is now in joint assignment with their spouse suddenly also at the region level, but also co-located at the state level, the critical mass tied to this momentum is more likely to perpetuate as its prions bond themselves to like forces friendly to its kind which even appear to be in pursuit to push agendas contrary to the founding principles and by-laws of the CAP.

Given that this matter is outside the IG's hands, as well as the IG's IG's hands, and some members from CAP HQ say that their hands are tied and that their reach has been clipped, and from the looks of the letter we just read from the very core of our National leadership, and after hearing the same story from several senior members at the state level, yesterday I decided to consult with industry groups and membres of the Veterans Administration for advice on such matters. The names of people and organizations were withheld and positions genericized to protect the potentially innocent. The reached consensus was to seek exogenous intervention. Some examples were to jointly file that the matter should be looked into by a joint congressional entity representing the region/s of interest, and/or by a national entity such as, but not limited to an Air Force or National Security Office which would cover those types of concerns.

IMHO, the best way to resolve this would be a face-saving extracation of the offenders, immediately followed by a re-org witnessed by an anti-discriminatory/anti-fraud, waste & abuse commitee of over-seeing constituents and stakeholders. But, given the fiscal state of our CAP and National budget, another possibility cannot be ruled out: That it would all implode of its own lofty weight.

Is there power in those who really wish to effect positive change within CAP?

OK, see ya next time. My prayers and hopes are with a good resolution and rehabilitation following a framework which would allow good volunteers be honest-to-good volunteers, unhindered by politics, power-grabbing and self-preservation so that we may perform Missions for America.

[Oilygarch]

OK, let's hear it:

VIVA LA JUNTA! VIVAAAA!!!! VIVA LA JUNTA! VIVAAAA!

My fellow CAPadorians, as a faith-based initiative, we have God on our side!

You are my sons, my daughters, my brothers, my sisters, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins.... ...except for you! you, and YOU! How'd YOU get here?? Somebody mustn't have been doing their job. I told them to raise the bar whenever they saw someone like that! Dang! There goes the air rain neighborhood!!

But, with CAP, to be in the know, what comes to mind is a white bread that is in-bred. Specially the case in certain regions.
_ _ _ . . . _ _ _ _ _ _ . . . _ _ _ _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

Something is definitely wrong with the above picture!!!

[Smokey]

I just got Excedrin headache #78 reading the post by Oilygarch. Anyone else feel the same way??

[Civil Airman]

Sounds like Carrales 2.0 to me.

And what's with the bolded text all over? Someone forget to close a tag?

There ya go. ...hope that did it.

[Civil Airman]

guess not. although it looked OK in preview mode ;)

[Oilygarch]

Sorry. I did forget to close the tag.

Take care.

[Oilygarch]

maybe it wasn't mehmmm... oh well.maybe the moderator can fix this?

[Oilygarch]

There. No more bold. It appears that I, having opened the tag, simply had to try harder, one the tag was let out of the bracket, to put it back in. Sorry 'bout the Excedrin. Can you imagine what it gives me and those who share similarily? I have asked them not to leave CAP. If we leave CAP, then who remains??

It would have been a successful socio-cultural and moral genocide if we were to up and leave.

[Major Carrales]

CA,

Carrales 2.0?!

What are you talking about? I have at a SARex all weekend until now.

Please explain what you mean by that? (Before I make some assumptions based on half-truths and speculations.)

Major Carrales

[Civil Airman]

JEC,

Relax...
Oilygarch's passionate postings echo yours in a similar style.

Not that you were posting as a nom de plume.

[Major Carrales]

No offense or the like taken, CA. It is just that just such an incident has happened to me on other forums. I am very pleased with the quality of this BLOG and your own brainchild.

In order for these forums to have the greatest effect, one should post (in my opinion) as their own person. This insures a level of integrity (as in integrity, serive before self and excellence in all we do).

While a great many here are solid in their identity, there are always those that "hide behind the veil of an alias." While some use it to great advantage and benefit, others use it for destructive purposes or to "smite" fellow CAP THREADSTERS.

Keep 'em flying,
Major Joe Ely Carrales

[WTF, OVER]

Bottom Line: An independent investigation of CAP upper management needs to be done.

By independent I mean Pineda needs to keep his paws out of it. Give it to the AETC IC and OSI and let the cards fall where they fall.

I'm OK with consecutive terms provided they begin after the sitting NHQ/CC ends.

[capebpilot]

1.Have AFOSI do the investigation, IAW appropriate USAF guide lines, with SAFIG oversight.
2. The selection process for senior CAP leadership be accomplished the same way that the USAF selects its General Offices, with SAF approval.

[JohnKachenmeister]

WTF and capebpilot:

Did I miss something? I read the Glasgow letter and NOTHING that he alleged constitutes a criminal offense. For AFOSI to get involved, there must be a crime to investigate.