Scott Didonato story

[MsSam]

I never considered logging in to the forums here, but I was reading my husbands issue of the Marine Times and the cover story prompted me to do so.

I cannot believe this man thinks it's at all acceptable to sue the corps for $30 million dollars for alleged abuse. Where does he think this money is going to come from?

If he truly was abused and suffered because of it, he deserves some sort of financial compensation to help alleviate the costs caused by his condition. I don't know any condition that warrants this amount of money, especially during a time when it is needed so much by an organization already cutting health costs and services to military family members.

In the spirit of Scott DiDonato, from my perspective as a marine wife, here is what I would like financial compensation for:

-Being physically separated from my husband for long periods of time
-Stress due to worrying, dealing with the military health care system, and pcsing
-Having to give up my pets in order to move with my husband
-Watching my oldest child taking his first steps without my husband present
-Living away from all of my family and childhood friends
-...

I understand this man might have suffered because of his enlistment, but that does not entitle him to the insane amount of money he is asking. I can honestly say I have suffered due to the choice I have made in being married to a marine, but it pales in comparison to the beautiful life we have been able to make for ourselves regardless.

I have not served, but I can't feel like this man isn't trying to steal something that isn't his from an organization I've grown to love, despite some of the setbacks. The same thing could be said about anything in life. Sometimes, bad things happen. Someone isn't always going to give you money for it. The lessons you learn and positive attitude you can develp are worth far more than money.

If Mr. DiDonato puts the money directly into organizations that will help the one he is taking from, I will consider his words about being honorable just. Until then...grow up, Mr. DiDonato. Greed is never a good quality.

[Unregistered]

SGLI pays $400,000 to the family of a Marine killed in combat. Scott Didonato is still alive, so how is it that he thinks he's entitled to more?

[CrustySMSgt]

SGLI pays $400,000 to the family of a Marine killed in combat. Scott Didonato is still alive, so how is it that he thinks he's entitled to more?

Very good point!

[Unregistered]

This story is ridiculous and this guy doesn't sound like he was cut out for the Marine Corps in the first place. My husband has been in the Marine Corps for 5 years. In February of 2007, while patrolling in Iraq, his tank was hit by an RPG. My husband had 3rd degree burns on 53% of his body, He received $100,000 for his injury while recovering in the hospital, I received a stack of quilts and a bottle of Zoloft.LOL. This guy wants $30 million because he couldn't handle what he signed up for and the guys who could handle it are "over there" with equipment and gear that was provided by the lowest bidder.

[Unregistered]

i think this is a great story because didonato is talking about helping his fellow marines. i believe that you have to be opened minded to every point of this story and based on facts, this person is honorable. i commend mr. didonato for standing up for all the enlisted marines and putting some of the ranking officers in there place. i even like the part of the story were didonato says that he wants to give all his money to the childrens cancer research. my husband is an enlisted member of the marines and he thinks the officers are always screwing the other marines. so we both just want to say, thank you mr didonato for fighting for justice, and thank you for helping the children with cancer.

[Unregistered]

i think this is a great story because didonato is talking about helping his fellow marines. i believe that you have to be opened minded to every point of this story and based on facts, this person is honorable. i commend mr. didonato for standing up for all the enlisted marines and putting some of the ranking officers in there place. i even like the part of the story were didonato says that he wants to give all his money to the childrens cancer research. my husband is an enlisted member of the marines and he thinks the officers are always screwing the other marines. so we both just want to say, thank you mr didonato for fighting for justice, and thank you for helping the children with cancer.

I respectfully disagree. $30 million dollars is a lot of money. Taking it away from an organization like the Marines isn't helping the people who belong to it, even if the money is given to cancer research.

It's one thing to say something, and another to do it.

If there truly was abuse or his suffering was ignored, he deserves some sort of compensation for it. Unfortunately, he went about it the wrong way.

The facts stated in the story clearly pointed out that this man went UA two times and failed to use the chain of command to report the issue. Instead, he had his lawyer contact his superiors. There are other ways of dealing with abuse in the ranks, even I know that.

[MERC8401]

Anyone gotta link to the whole story....meeehh I'm a little to lazy to look for it right now. Thanks in advance.

[ringjamesa]

it is the current issue. Must be a current subscriber to read it-unless....someone were to copy paste it here....

[Unregistered]

i think this is a great story because didonato is talking about helping his fellow marines. i believe that you have to be opened minded to every point of this story and based on facts, this person is honorable. i commend mr. didonato for standing up for all the enlisted marines and putting some of the ranking officers in there place. i even like the part of the story were didonato says that he wants to give all his money to the childrens cancer research. my husband is an enlisted member of the marines and he thinks the officers are always screwing the other marines. so we both just want to say, thank you mr didonato for fighting for justice, and thank you for helping the children with cancer.

I happen to agree with this person. Our husbands, wives and children are joining the Marine Corp to serve their country which is the most unselfish and honorable thing anyone can do. Being in combat and getting killed or injured is something that a Marine agrees to and knows in their hearts is a possibility, marrying a Marine and having their children is a sacrifice I agree, but you also went into that marriage knowing of the sacrifices you have to make. But joining the Marine Corp and being tortured and hurt by those that you are sworn to protect and serve is horrible. These men were supposed to teach and mentor him, not do what they did. And yes I feel Mr. DiDonato is entitled to whatever he has coming to him. My son went through boot camp and what he had to go through was inhuman as well. Does that mean he is not cut out for it? Does that mean that the men who did this are heroes or are above the law? Does that mean that it's ok because he didn't stand up and make someone accountable for their actions? If our enemies did to him or your loved ones what his own men did to him, you would be outraged and I am sure these blogs would have a different tune.

[Unregistered]

I am in total agreement with this quote. When you enter into service, you know that there is a potential that you will be in harms way and may be injured in the line of duty. Though it is difficult on the soldier and the family, it is something that you as a soldier and/or a spouse have consciously decided to accept.

It is NOT to be expected that your own people would torture you to the point of permanent injury before you even have the opportunity to serve in the capacity you are capable of. I believe that if this soldier had been injured in the line of duty and not tortured by his own, no one would even be hearing about it.


I happen to agree with this person. Our husbands, wives and children are joining the Marine Corp to serve their country which is the most unselfish and honorable thing anyone can do. Being in combat and getting killed or injured is something that a Marine agrees to and knows in their hearts is a possibility, marrying a Marine and having their children is a sacrifice I agree, but you also went into that marriage knowing of the sacrifices you have to make. But joining the Marine Corp and being tortured and hurt by those that you are sworn to protect and serve is horrible. These men were supposed to teach and mentor him, not do what they did. And yes I feel Mr. DiDonato is entitled to whatever he has coming to him. My son went through boot camp and what he had to go through was inhuman as well. Does that mean he is not cut out for it? Does that mean that the men who did this are heroes or are above the law? Does that mean that it's ok because he didn't stand up and make someone accountable for their actions? If our enemies did to him or your loved ones what his own men did to him, you would be outraged and I am sure these blogs would have a different tune.

[Unregistered]

you also missed the facts that this man was honorably discharged from the army and is a united states veteran. i also read a follow up story that the paper misquoted the fact that he reported these things during training but its obvious that you missed that part. the bottom line is a few bad apples got caught in a cover up and its about time someone stood up to these people. how many of our soldiers get screwed by our government and it gets covered up. this must merit a lot of truth just for the reason the criminals names and pictures are in the newspaper. i hope this guy didonato wins. i also believe that he will donate money to charity for the children with cancer, because in the story it says that his mother died from terminal ill cancer. obviously didonato is right.







I respectfully disagree. $30 million dollars is a lot of money. Taking it away from an organization like the Marines isn't helping the people who belong to it, even if the money is given to cancer research.

It's one thing to say something, and another to do it.

If there truly was abuse or his suffering was ignored, he deserves some sort of compensation for it. Unfortunately, he went about it the wrong way.

The facts stated in the story clearly pointed out that this man went UA two times and failed to use the chain of command to report the issue. Instead, he had his lawyer contact his superiors. There are other ways of dealing with abuse in the ranks, even I know that.

[axscntU8_Dpstv]

i think this is a great story because didonato is talking about helping his fellow marines. i believe that you have to be opened minded to every point of this story and based on facts, this person is honorable. i commend mr. didonato for standing up for all the enlisted marines and putting some of the ranking officers in there place. i even like the part of the story were didonato says that he wants to give all his money to the childrens cancer research. my husband is an enlisted member of the marines and he thinks the officers are always screwing the other marines. so we both just want to say, thank you mr didonato for fighting for justice, and thank you for helping the children with cancer.


If he wants to do good with the money... then why not just return it back the Marine Corps' toys for tots program?


That amount of money is ridiculous. This kind of reminds me of the woman that got millions from McDonald's for being a dumbass and putting hot coffee between her legs.

[Unregistered]

THIS IS NOT A GOOD POINT. would you say the same thing about rodney king who settled a lawsuit for millions of dollars after about 20 wihite police officers beat him up, and violated mr. kings rights, and tryed to cover it up. well i think mr. didonato was treated just as unfairly and the government should do something about it. if he was your son i'm sure you'd be fighting right next too him!! he also said he's fighting for all his marine brothers rights. i appreciate that cause i've been there. good luck didonato, and don't stop the fight.
gunny biggs



Very good point!

[Unregistered]

DUDE, why would you give the money to toys for tots when those kids are not suffering or dying of cancer?
i think mr. didonato is making a better decision to help keep a cancer child alive rather than a toy. some of those children with cancer will never reach 5 years old. i think didonato is doing something we all should do to help these children with cancer. you should rethink your comments respectfully. good luck mr. Didonato



If he wants to do good with the money... then why not just return it back the Marine Corps' toys for tots program?


That amount of money is ridiculous. This kind of reminds me of the woman that got millions from McDonald's for being a dumbass and putting hot coffee between her legs.

[Unregistered]

i am a marines wife and my husband has been away for a very long time. i know the hardships of being a marines wife, but what does that have to do with this man didonato. i know that if my husband got the shaft the same way didonato did, i would be right there fighting with my husband. we should be happy that we are not going through what this man is going through.



I never considered logging in to the forums here, but I was reading my husbands issue of the Marine Times and the cover story prompted me to do so.

I cannot believe this man thinks it's at all acceptable to sue the corps for $30 million dollars for alleged abuse. Where does he think this money is going to come from?

If he truly was abused and suffered because of it, he deserves some sort of financial compensation to help alleviate the costs caused by his condition. I don't know any condition that warrants this amount of money, especially during a time when it is needed so much by an organization already cutting health costs and services to military family members.

In the spirit of Scott DiDonato, from my perspective as a marine wife, here is what I would like financial compensation for:

-Being physically separated from my husband for long periods of time
-Stress due to worrying, dealing with the military health care system, and pcsing
-Having to give up my pets in order to move with my husband
-Watching my oldest child taking his first steps without my husband present
-Living away from all of my family and childhood friends
-...

I understand this man might have suffered because of his enlistment, but that does not entitle him to the insane amount of money he is asking. I can honestly say I have suffered due to the choice I have made in being married to a marine, but it pales in comparison to the beautiful life we have been able to make for ourselves regardless.

I have not served, but I can't feel like this man isn't trying to steal something that isn't his from an organization I've grown to love, despite some of the setbacks. The same thing could be said about anything in life. Sometimes, bad things happen. Someone isn't always going to give you money for it. The lessons you learn and positive attitude you can develp are worth far more than money.

If Mr. DiDonato puts the money directly into organizations that will help the one he is taking from, I will consider his words about being honorable just. Until then...grow up, Mr. DiDonato. Greed is never a good quality.

[Unregistered]

This story is ridiculous and this guy doesn't sound like he was cut out for the Marine Corps in the first place. My husband has been in the Marine Corps for 5 years. In February of 2007, while patrolling in Iraq, his tank was hit by an RPG. My husband had 3rd degree burns on 53% of his body, He received $100,000 for his injury while recovering in the hospital, I received a stack of quilts and a bottle of Zoloft.LOL. This guy wants $30 million because he couldn't handle what he signed up for and the guys who could handle it are "over there" with equipment and gear that was provided by the lowest bidder.

i disagree with you because it says didonato was honorably discharged from the army and then went to the marines. if he graduated from boot camp, mct and the police school that makes him a marine for 2 years. if you combine both of his service times then mr. didonato served over 5 years. thats a long time. he seved as long of period as your husband did so i believe he should be treated the same. didonato has balls to stand up to those people. there the ones who should be held accountable for there actions. i like didonato. he got balls..

[Unregistered]

I never considered logging in to the forums here, but I was reading my husbands issue of the Marine Times and the cover story prompted me to do so.

I cannot believe this man thinks it's at all acceptable to sue the corps for $30 million dollars for alleged abuse. Where does he think this money is going to come from?

If he truly was abused and suffered because of it, he deserves some sort of financial compensation to help alleviate the costs caused by his condition. I don't know any condition that warrants this amount of money, especially during a time when it is needed so much by an organization already cutting health costs and services to military family members.

In the spirit of Scott DiDonato, from my perspective as a marine wife, here is what I would like financial compensation for:

-Being physically separated from my husband for long periods of time
-Stress due to worrying, dealing with the military health care system, and pcsing
-Having to give up my pets in order to move with my husband
-Watching my oldest child taking his first steps without my husband present
-Living away from all of my family and childhood friends
-...

I understand this man might have suffered because of his enlistment, but that does not entitle him to the insane amount of money he is asking. I can honestly say I have suffered due to the choice I have made in being married to a marine, but it pales in comparison to the beautiful life we have been able to make for ourselves regardless.

I have not served, but I can't feel like this man isn't trying to steal something that isn't his from an organization I've grown to love, despite some of the setbacks. The same thing could be said about anything in life. Sometimes, bad things happen. Someone isn't always going to give you money for it. The lessons you learn and positive attitude you can develp are worth far more than money.

If Mr. DiDonato puts the money directly into organizations that will help the one he is taking from, I will consider his words about being honorable just. Until then...grow up, Mr. DiDonato. Greed is never a good quality.

this man serves 2 military branches, army and marines and you call him greedy!! what is wrong with you? mr. didonato sacrificed well over 6 years in service, more than you did!! i read the laundry list of things your bitching about and it sounds as if your the greedy one. if you really cared about other marines and service members including your husband, then maybe you should help them instead of ridiculing them. i understand that you have military problems, but that is no reason to bash this man didonato. at least he is doing something about it, and fighting for marines rights. good luck DiDonato,
east coast Marines

[Unregistered]

Very good point!

HEY crustysmsgt,, if you are going to quote martin luther king, the biggest leader of the civil rights movement, then come correct. i'm sure mr. king would have done the same thing didonato is doing, standing up for his rights, and other peoples right's that have been wronged by the crooked system. lets give the brotha some slack.
keep moving forward didonato, we are with you in spirit.

[Unregistered]

The moral of this story is not to gouge the Marine Corps of it's funds, but to teach the Marine Corps that it needs to watch how it handles delicate situations like this. People are so willing to hate on this guy, but he poses some good points like lack of leadership in a position that demands it can be detrimental to the integrity of the Marine Corps. Now, the $30 million, that is a bit steep, I agree. We'll have to see the resulting settlement.

[CplH5811]

I feel that the problem here is that he is trying to exploit the system. If he really is trying to change the Corps, than he wouldn't be asking for money to something that has nothing to do with what happened. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with where it "may" go but, why try and deprive the Marine Corps of $30M because of something that happened almost 9 years ago? The thing that upset me the most was the "excessive hydrating". I could swear that head calls were authorized in boot camp. Or, was he too scared to ask. I don't recall who said it on here but, I agree that he wasn't cut out to be a Marine in the first place and I am thoroughly embarrassed that this turd was an MP. I mean, c'mon, he went UA several times. No one is focusing on his issues are they? Of course not. Because we now have to have a kinder, gentler Corps. If that's what it comes to, count me out. What happened to all of the "Devil Dog" of yester-years? We have always been seen as the fiercest fighting force on the planet. Give it a couple years and we'll have France laughing at us.

[Unregistered]

I feel that the problem here is that he is trying to exploit the system. If he really is trying to change the Corps, than he wouldn't be asking for money to something that has nothing to do with what happened. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with where it "may" go but, why try and deprive the Marine Corps of $30M because of something that happened almost 9 years ago? The thing that upset me the most was the "excessive hydrating". I could swear that head calls were authorized in boot camp. Or, was he too scared to ask. I don't recall who said it on here but, I agree that he wasn't cut out to be a Marine in the first place and I am thoroughly embarrassed that this turd was an MP. I mean, c'mon, he went UA several times. No one is focusing on his issues are they? Of course not. Because we now have to have a kinder, gentler Corps. If that's what it comes to, count me out. What happened to all of the "Devil Dog" of yester-years? We have always been seen as the fiercest fighting force on the planet. Give it a couple years and we'll have France laughing at us.

your forgetting something here, what happened to the 5 military high ranking officers that committed fraud against that guy didonato. i read in the article that these criminals were changing government documents and forging legal documents from some congressional leaders, that guy congressman andrews must be pissed!!!! if i were the congress man i would have the fed's up those officers asses because of tampering with government documents. as far as didonato, i don't think the story is about head calls, i think its about a civil rights issue. he must have a shit load of evidence because those officers got caught red handed and now those guys faces are posted in the news paper. besides this man has served over 5 years, and 2 boot camps. oh, and about the ua, the paper said he was on converleson leave and that they miss quoted. i'm with helping didonato, good luck bro.

[Unregistered]

I feel that the problem here is that he is trying to exploit the system. If he really is trying to change the Corps, than he wouldn't be asking for money to something that has nothing to do with what happened. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with where it "may" go but, why try and deprive the Marine Corps of $30M because of something that happened almost 9 years ago? The thing that upset me the most was the "excessive hydrating". I could swear that head calls were authorized in boot camp. Or, was he too scared to ask. I don't recall who said it on here but, I agree that he wasn't cut out to be a Marine in the first place and I am thoroughly embarrassed that this turd was an MP. I mean, c'mon, he went UA several times. No one is focusing on his issues are they? Of course not. Because we now have to have a kinder, gentler Corps. If that's what it comes to, count me out. What happened to all of the "Devil Dog" of yester-years? We have always been seen as the fiercest fighting force on the planet. Give it a couple years and we'll have France laughing at us.


I read your posting with interest. It seems like you may have been abused - and didn't ever do anything about it and since you sucked it up, so should he. It's not about being tough - this guy was "waterbowled" 8 years before "waterbowling" became a news term in the Sergeant Glass case. Everyone gets a little in bootcamp and other schools - this guy was forced to drink several quarts of water at one time and he sustained an injury requiring surgery. Your answer - use the head? CplH5811 - you're a MP I suppose by the 5811 - what would do with a badge on your chest if you witnessed this going on. Laugh? Arrest? Report? Maybe you should look past the money he's asking for compensation, look past the 8 or 9 years (since he reported it and nothing was done), and look at the fact that he was maltreated. It's not about kinder and gentler - it's about respecting the sons and daughters that America's mothers and fathers have entrusted to the Marines Corps. Maybe if the Marine Corps would have investigated the allegations when they occurred.

[Unregistered]

I Looked At The Newspaper Article - Can Someone Tell Me Why Ltgen Coleman Is Wearing A Read Baseball Hat With His Uniform? A Red Baseball Hat?

[Unregistered]

Very good point!

I was reading the threads - and someone commented on CrustySMSGT MLK tag with his signature and I thought to myself - Self, I said, what if DiDonato's DI's would have lived by the creed of being the best DI they could be, like the street sweeper, the artist, the composer.

[Unregistered]

I Looked At The Newspaper Article - Can Someone Tell Me Why Ltgen Coleman Is Wearing A Read Baseball Hat With His Uniform? A Red Baseball Hat?

you got a great point!
ltgen coleman is out of uniform by wearing that red baseball hat with his issued uniform. i bet noone would even dare say that to the general because they would wind up in the same place as didonato!!!!!...
you see it goes to show you how much crime these higher ups get away with. if that was a picture of a private or a corporal wearing a red baseball hat in uniform, then they would be court martialed and put in the brigg. now i can see a clearer picture of what happened to didonato, and that he is a victim.
it seems as if general coleman does not practice what he preaches with that hat on. isn't that a violation of the ucmj? should'nt gen coleman be charged with that crime also?
any how, they owe that guy didonato big and he should win!!!!
didonato, your the man.

[Unregistered]

I was reading the threads - and someone commented on CrustySMSGT MLK tag with his signature and I thought to myself - Self, I said, what if DiDonato's DI's would have lived by the creed of being the best DI they could be, like the street sweeper, the artist, the composer.

your right, if they did follow the creed of honor, then that guy didonato would be ok.
stay strong didonato

[Unregistered]

The moral of this story is not to gouge the Marine Corps of it's funds, but to teach the Marine Corps that it needs to watch how it handles delicate situations like this. People are so willing to hate on this guy, but he poses some good points like lack of leadership in a position that demands it can be detrimental to the integrity of the Marine Corps. Now, the $30 million, that is a bit steep, I agree. We'll have to see the resulting settlement.

i don't think that 30 million is a lot of money considering some of the other cases that i have read about. i just think that didonato should do what he said and help those children with cancer. in the story it says his mother died of cancer, so its probably true that he has heart for this type of illness that these children have.
if he donates money for those children then i would back him. i guess we'll see...
as far as the leadership in the corp, after this story it should definately change!

[EW1]

Did this guy think he was joining a country club?

[Unregistered]

I am in total agreement with this quote. When you enter into service, you know that there is a potential that you will be in harms way and may be injured in the line of duty. Though it is difficult on the soldier and the family, it is something that you as a soldier and/or a spouse have consciously decided to accept.

It is NOT to be expected that your own people would torture you to the point of permanent injury before you even have the opportunity to serve in the capacity you are capable of. I believe that if this soldier had been injured in the line of duty and not tortured by his own, no one would even be hearing about it.

Wow, I do enjoy reading all this. So how many of you are in the Corps. I just find this a blight example of ignorance. Being a marine and undergoing the training I endured and used to save my life and that of my own men. You really don't like to think at all do you. There is a reason for everything in the Marine Corps. Believe me, if I wasn't "tortured" I wouldn't have what it would take to survive. The disipline to not move a muscle, the disipline to undergo real torture as stabbing, broken bones, gun shot wounds, fatigue, dehydration. Not to push forward and finish the mission, that keeps your marines from coming home in a box. You don't reallize it but you offend the ones who have given there life for the corps and country, our brothers. You disagree with our traditions, Mr. Didonato didn't have what it takes and he was tossed out, for a reason you know. We had plenty of them fall out, they are put aside because we didn't want there weaknesses to get them killed or the whole fire team to die. Mr. Didonato has no right to take money from our corps, or country, and when it comes down to it. That is your money, don't you realize how pathetic he really is. Even if he donates to cancer, he doesn't have the right to give money that isn't his. I would gladly give millions of your money to people in need. That doesn't make him a good person, you should think about what you wright. For your thoughts poisen others minds. So the conclusion is that Scott Didonato is a pathetic low life who doesn't deserve the title of United States Marine. He this was noticed, he couldn't follow simple procedures and decides to talk to a lawyer instead of a marine. Chain of Command ladies and Gents, He had no right bringing someone else in on this matter. Now, I feel bad for the one who was training him to be a Marine. We all endure this, the same thing that he endured. We have been abused and harrassed, he didn't have what it takes and we lost good Marines just because one man. Not to mention that there is a thirty million dollar give away. We will be the ones to take the full hit, and our families. Thanks Scott Didonato for helping us...

[Unregistered]

I might have written the last peice 9:09pm. I read a couple things, lack of leadership... Why don't you read about our leaders, they carry our lives in there hands. So you should research some, so you can see the sacrifice they made, you bring shame to the Marine Corps. We fight and Die, we Die, do you understand what I am getting at. We put our life out there, and I guess those deaths were pointless. We have good leadership, unless you experience other wise you might have a say in it. Don't Judge the Marine Corps based on those who failed on Scott Didonato, you only hear what they want you to hear. They must have taken sessions to haze him all day and night, everyone just wakes up and just says "how can we make Scott Didonato's life miserable today". He deserved it, maybe if he wasn't such a ****bag there wouldn't be a lawsuit...

[Unregistered]

Wow, I do enjoy reading all this. So how many of you are in the Corps. I just find this a blight example of ignorance. Being a marine and undergoing the training I endured and used to save my life and that of my own men. You really don't like to think at all do you. There is a reason for everything in the Marine Corps. Believe me, if I wasn't "tortured" I wouldn't have what it would take to survive. The disipline to not move a muscle, the disipline to undergo real torture as stabbing, broken bones, gun shot wounds, fatigue, dehydration. Not to push forward and finish the mission, that keeps your marines from coming home in a box. You don't reallize it but you offend the ones who have given there life for the corps and country, our brothers. You disagree with our traditions, Mr. Didonato didn't have what it takes and he was tossed out, for a reason you know. We had plenty of them fall out, they are put aside because we didn't want there weaknesses to get them killed or the whole fire team to die. Mr. Didonato has no right to take money from our corps, or country, and when it comes down to it. That is your money, don't you realize how pathetic he really is. Even if he donates to cancer, he doesn't have the right to give money that isn't his. I would gladly give millions of your money to people in need. That doesn't make him a good person, you should think about what you wright. For your thoughts poisen others minds. So the conclusion is that Scott Didonato is a pathetic low life who doesn't deserve the title of United States Marine. He this was noticed, he couldn't follow simple procedures and decides to talk to a lawyer instead of a marine. Chain of Command ladies and Gents, He had no right bringing someone else in on this matter. Now, I feel bad for the one who was training him to be a Marine. We all endure this, the same thing that he endured. We have been abused and harrassed, he didn't have what it takes and we lost good Marines just because one man. Not to mention that there is a thirty million dollar give away. We will be the ones to take the full hit, and our families. Thanks Scott Didonato for helping us...


Interesting post - you seem to miss every point, but interesting post. How you can type some much, yet miss the moral of the story is troubling. "Decides to talk to a lawyer instead of a Marine..." IT WAS HIS CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT WAS ASSAULTING HIM!. It this kind of conduct he endured is acceptable to make Marines - why did the Marines court-martial Sergeant Gerald Glass for the same conduct: waterbowling. It's not about standing at attention for an hour to build discipline. Oh - and remember - his CHAIN OF COMMAND ordered him to take a discharge. I don't know if the story is true or fiction, but when leaders don't take care of their Marines as if they were their sons and daughters - something has got to change.

[Unregistered]

I might have written the last peice 9:09pm. I read a couple things, lack of leadership... Why don't you read about our leaders, they carry our lives in there hands. So you should research some, so you can see the sacrifice they made, you bring shame to the Marine Corps. We fight and Die, we Die, do you understand what I am getting at. We put our life out there, and I guess those deaths were pointless. We have good leadership, unless you experience other wise you might have a say in it. Don't Judge the Marine Corps based on those who failed on Scott Didonato, you only hear what they want you to hear. They must have taken sessions to haze him all day and night, everyone just wakes up and just says "how can we make Scott Didonato's life miserable today". He deserved it, maybe if he wasn't such a ****bag there wouldn't be a lawsuit...

There are so many good Marines and so many good Leaders out there - but, in the end, his leadership failed him miserably. They assaulted him, they caused him to need surgery, not by training him, but by maltreating him. Where was his Senior? Where was his Series DI? Why did his CO order him out and then try to get him re-enlisted if he was so bad? More questions are created by this article than answered. Maybe $30M is a lot, maybe he'd take a dollar if the Marine Corps apologized for what they did to him. I'd like to hear from some DI who reads this who has the guts - even if it's anonymously - to chime in and tell us about "waterbowling." I'm sure his DI's and Sergeant Glass didn't dream it up.

[Unregistered]

There are so many good Marines and so many good Leaders out there - but, in the end, his leadership failed him miserably. They assaulted him, they caused him to need surgery, not by training him, but by maltreating him. Where was his Senior? Where was his Series DI? Why did his CO order him out and then try to get him re-enlisted if he was so bad? More questions are created by this article than answered. Maybe $30M is a lot, maybe he'd take a dollar if the Marine Corps apologized for what they did to him. I'd like to hear from some DI who reads this who has the guts - even if it's anonymously - to chime in and tell us about "waterbowling." I'm sure his DI's and Sergeant Glass didn't dream it up.

i agree with your quote. his leadership did fail him. i would also like to hear from any anonymous drill instructor about this waterbowling torture they were taught and the response to the sgt. glass case. i also read that didonato spoke about this type of ritual used in training back in 1999 and 2000. well, if he said something about it in 2000 than why was this torture slill being used in 2007 in which sgt. glass was convicted of? if the commanding officers had investigated this type of treatment back in 2000, then there would have never been a sgt. glass abuse case in 2007!!!!!!! i also read that this type of torture was actually in the di's training manual and was later banned because of similar incidents reported. can any drill instructors chime in on this? if you do chime in, come with honor and speak the truth.

[CplH5811]

Now, I have noticed that there are few of you that feel he was mistreated. I can see where that is coming from. And to one of the seven unregistered posts, as an MP I would report it if it was reported to me. Now, I do have my own personal views on the situation but I would still do my job. I hold no sort of bias when I put on my badge. NONE. But, the biggest issue that I have with this is that he's asking for money for it. Not just money but, a lot of money. Who the hell does he think he is? Because whenever he wakes up from his bad dreams that he has of drinking water, all he'll have to do is think about his money or roll around in it or whatever you do with that much money, that it will all go away. I'm just saying that this is a frivelous lawsuit almost 9 years too late. Now, I'm not saying that it should have been swept under the rug either. The ones that did so deserve whatever punishment they recieve, if not more. Forgery is a felony and I don't think that someones rank should effect the outcome of it. It's all bull.

[Unregistered]

Now, I have noticed that there are few of you that feel he was mistreated. I can see where that is coming from. And to one of the seven unregistered posts, as an MP I would report it if it was reported to me. Now, I do have my own personal views on the situation but I would still do my job. I hold no sort of bias when I put on my badge. NONE. But, the biggest issue that I have with this is that he's asking for money for it. Not just money but, a lot of money. Who the hell does he think he is? Because whenever he wakes up from his bad dreams that he has of drinking water, all he'll have to do is think about his money or roll around in it or whatever you do with that much money, that it will all go away. I'm just saying that this is a frivelous lawsuit almost 9 years too late. Now, I'm not saying that it should have been swept under the rug either. The ones that did so deserve whatever punishment they recieve, if not more. Forgery is a felony and I don't think that someones rank should effect the outcome of it. It's all bull.

so your basically saying that you agree some people should be held responsible and be punished for the felony's they committed to him, but then you say he is wrong for getting some money years later.
I DISAGREE WITH YOU BIG TIME! if they covered this shit up for the amount of time that they did, then how would he of gotten any justice a few years ago?IT WAS A COVER UP!! the point your missing i think is pretty clear that the reason it took this long is because of the cover up after cover up after cover up. why do you think those officers faces are posted in the marine corp times. by the way, the article that is on the web doesn't show the pictures of that congressman or the officers involved. but it is in last weeks issue on page 15 or 16. you should get a copy and see the officers faces that are involved. oh, and about the money in the lawsuit, i think it says that he is donating it to a charity for cancer children research, so i believe that's a good thing.

[Unregistered]

HEY DOES ANY ONE KNOW WERE I COULD GET THE ACTUAL ARTICLE OF THE DIDONATO STORY? I want to see the other pictures of the officers involved with this story. i heard it was a couple of general involved with a fraud. anyone can get the pictures i appreciate it, thanks

[CplH5811]

so your basically saying that you agree some people should be held responsible and be punished for the felony's they committed to him, but then you say he is wrong for getting some money years later.
I DISAGREE WITH YOU BIG TIME! if they covered this shit up for the amount of time that they did, then how would he of gotten any justice a few years ago?IT WAS A COVER UP!! the point your missing i think is pretty clear that the reason it took this long is because of the cover up after cover up after cover up. why do you think those officers faces are posted in the marine corp times. by the way, the article that is on the web doesn't show the pictures of that congressman or the officers involved. but it is in last weeks issue on page 15 or 16. you should get a copy and see the officers faces that are involved. oh, and about the money in the lawsuit, i think it says that he is donating it to a charity for cancer children research, so i believe that's a good thing.

I'm not disputing the fact that there were cover-ups. I don't think that he should recieve any money for it or should have if he was able to file his case when he tried. $30M is way too much for that kind of crap. This was about 9 years ago when this all happened. He's been out for some time I believe. (If i'm wrong, ok.) But, how is it that he's all of a sudden able to file a case. I did read the article in the times when it came out and I don't know what it matters if I saw the faces of those involved. I'm not sure about what kind of point you're attempting to make there. Do I think he got a bum deal with the cover-up? Hell yeah. And that is why I feel that those that did it should recieve proper punishment. But, if the government is going to start giving out money for crap that happened years ago for stupid excuses, then I think everyone should.

"John Smith, from 3rd grade, I want $35M for you kicking me in the shin when we were playing soccer. But, it's all going to E.D. research."

Don't be suprised if this isn't the next case brought out.

[Unregistered]

I'm not disputing the fact that there were cover-ups. I don't think that he should recieve any money for it or should have if he was able to file his case when he tried. $30M is way too much for that kind of crap. This was about 9 years ago when this all happened. He's been out for some time I believe. (If i'm wrong, ok.) But, how is it that he's all of a sudden able to file a case. I did read the article in the times when it came out and I don't know what it matters if I saw the faces of those involved. I'm not sure about what kind of point you're attempting to make there. Do I think he got a bum deal with the cover-up? Hell yeah. And that is why I feel that those that did it should recieve proper punishment. But, if the government is going to start giving out money for crap that happened years ago for stupid excuses, then I think everyone should.

"John Smith, from 3rd grade, I want $35M for you kicking me in the shin when we were playing soccer. But, it's all going to E.D. research."

Don't be suprised if this isn't the next case brought out.

hey mr. cplh5811, this story was not just about an event that started years ago. it seems that it was covered up over the years that this man was fighting for an investigation that was covered up. you do have a good point and i agree that this man got a bum deal. the thing i don't agree with you is when you said he should'nt get any money! i don't know how much money this man deserves for his injuries or for the back time period that he has suffered, but he definately should recieve something. if you are an mp would you cover this up? or would you do the honorable thing and help him? i think we all know that history has shown that there have been plenty of criminals involved in politics and other coverup cases like the "watergate scandal"!!!! if this story were not true, then why is those officers pictures in the newspaper and this article made the front page of the marine corp times???????? this is your answer to seeing the pictures of those criminal officers faces in the paper. if you see one of them, walk the other way, or you could end up in didonato's shoes.

[CplH5811]

hey mr. cplh5811, this story was not just about an event that started years ago. it seems that it was covered up over the years that this man was fighting for an investigation that was covered up. you do have a good point and i agree that this man got a bum deal. the thing i don't agree with you is when you said he should'nt get any money! i don't know how much money this man deserves for his injuries or for the back time period that he has suffered, but he definately should recieve something. if you are an mp would you cover this up? or would you do the honorable thing and help him? i think we all know that history has shown that there have been plenty of criminals involved in politics and other coverup cases like the "watergate scandal"!!!! if this story were not true, then why is those officers pictures in the newspaper and this article made the front page of the marine corp times???????? this is your answer to seeing the pictures of those criminal officers faces in the paper. if you see one of them, walk the other way, or you could end up in didonato's shoes.

I don't recall ever implying that if I was a part of the Military Police that handled the investigations that I wouldn't help him. Of course I would. But, that does not change the fact that he is trying to exploit the system. As I said before, tons of money will not effect any sort of "mental anguish" that this guy may have manifested. If you ask me, I think he has something to hide himself. Why would anyone fight so avidly about an injustice that was caused to themselves years ago, and most likely covered up, and then give said money to a charity that has nothing to do with the Marine Corps? It all sounds kinda fishy to me.

[Unregistered]

I appreciate the opportunity to comment anonymously - and I think it drives discussion if everyone can be civil and the comments are on point. I think everyone gets some harassment in boot camp...I mean it's boot camp. Every 10 years, boot camp gets easier - so that the old guys can say..."I remember back when I was in boot camp." Back in Korea boot camp was a year long, they actual shot you so you knew what it felt like, and you had to get a tattoo before you left the depot. Today I hear they get to wear silky shorts and sleep in on Sunday. I agree with 5811 that someone should be held accountable. I agree with the other guy that Didonato should get something.

[Unregistered]

i agree with both of you for certain reasons. 5811 says that if he were investigating this case, then he would hold the individuals responsible for there actions. i agree with that 5811, but i have a question for you. what do you do as an mp if your own superiors screw you? who do you turn to? it seems as if this is the point that didonato is representing to everyone. the story says this loud and clear. i'm not bashing anyone's opinion, but sometimes if you read a little harder you will find more to a story, and then you should make your detemination about that story. it's very easy for all of us bloggers to throw stones at this man didonato. but i've asked myself the same question over and over again, what the hell is this mr. applegate, general coleman, general kessler, general milstead, general tryon, and a congressmans pictures doing in a newspaper if this guy didonato didn't have a good case? or what is going on with these generals?
I think this guy uncovered something more than you or i will ever get a chance too see or read!! there is something fishy about this situation 5811 i agree, but the fingers aren't pointing at didonato, there all pointing at those generals and a congressman.
after the governor blagoyouvich scandal, i believe this mr. didonato is really on too something here!
we will have to see as it unravels. let's all keep an open mind, not judge and wait to see what comes next.
i must say one thing though , i like didonato's spirit.

[Unregistered]

why is it ex president bush started a bullshit, criminal war and our government is spending billions of tax payers dollars for this war, but yet these people don't even help our own military soldiers? didonato was a veteran of the desert storm war and served over 6 years in service, and i read he served 2 branches, which obviously he graduated 2 boot camps. so why don't these assholes just compensate him!!! he earned it just like any other service veteran. this is why i would never join because its a roll of the dice. you might or might not get screwed, but either way i'm tired of hearing about our vet's getting fu_ _ed by the system. were is obama now that he is the pres. all that shit he talked about helping vets, but why ain't he helping this guy didonato? 9 years is enough, what are they waiting for, this man to just die so they don't have to pay him.

[CommunityEditor]

$30M abuse case began at boot camp (http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/02/marine_didonato_020809w/)


JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Scott DiDonato was no stranger to the military when he arrived at Parris Island in October 1999. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1991 after serving nearly 3½ years. He said he cut his enlistment short to be with his mother, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Eight years later, he enlisted in the Marines and started over again. It would be a long, convoluted and difficult tale. Today, nearly a decade later, he is angry, bitter and suing the Marine Corps for $30 million.

DiDonato, now 38, went to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., in the hopes of launching a career in law enforcement. But shortly after stepping on the yellow footprints, DiDonato says, he endured torture at the hands of his drill instructors, setting off a chain of events that led to a hernia, a botched surgery, an other-than-honorable discharge and, he claims, lies and a cover-up performed by a series of high-ranking Marine Corps officers.

A Marine Corps spokesman, Maj. David Nevers, said the service would not comment on the case except for this short statement: “The Marine Corps is aware of the claims by Mr. DiDonato; however, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter at this time.”

DiDonato, who changed his name from Scott Toelk in 2007 to honor a family member, also alleges Marines conspired to alter a congressman’s letter of inquiry into his claims of abuse at boot camp.

Among those accused of conspiring to mistreat and misrepresent DiDonato are Lt. Gen. Ronald Coleman, deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Maj. Gen.-select Robert Milstead Jr., head of Recruiting Command; Maj. Gen. Richard Tryon, commanding general of 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Brig. Gen. James Kessler, director of Manpower Management; and retired Col. Michael Applegate, DiDonato’s former commanding officer and current director of Manpower Plans and Policies Division.

“This is about Marines’ rights and violations of Marines’ rights,” DiDonato, a former lance corporal, said in a telephone interview. “I didn’t know they were going to put $30 million on it. They could have put $10 on it. It’s irrelevant. I don’t want to see none of what happened to me happen in the future.”
Honor, courage and ‘waterbowling’

After the Army, DiDonato pursued plans to become a state police officer and eventually earn a law degree, majoring in criminal justice at a local college back home in New Jersey. But he joined the Corps before completing the degree, deciding a stint as a military police officer would boost his career plans.

To DiDonato, it was simple: Serve four years, get out, join the Marine Corps Reserve as an MP and get a job with the New Jersey state police.

“Being prior service, the one thing I knew was I was already ahead of the game,” he said of going to boot camp. “I just fell in place. I became the guide. I was doing well.”

But recruit abuse began almost immediately, DiDonato said. Drill instructors would make the recruits in his platoon chug several quarts of water after chow, he said, and then would be denied head calls and forced to urinate and even defecate in their uniforms.

Long after DiDonato made his claims, a similar case, on the other side of the country, would make headlines. Sgt. Jerrod M. Glass, a drill instructor at MCRD San Diego, was found guilty in 2007 of cruelty and maltreatment, destruction of personal property, assault and violating orders on the proper treatment of recruits.

During his court-martial, witnesses testified that Glass and another drill instructor would line recruits up after meals and force them to down liters of water from their canteens. They referred to the ritual as “waterbowling.”

Two other drill instructors were court-martialed and a third was administratively punished.

According to his lawsuit, DiDonato “suffered the exact same abuse and maltreatment in 2000, and it was covered up even in the face of a Congressional Inquiry.”

In early 2000, the suit says, DiDonato was forced to down a gallon of water and, afterward, felt something rip in his lower stomach. He looked down and saw a bulge protruding under his skin, the suit alleges.

DiDonato’s drill instructor ordered him to “shut up” when he complained about the pain, according to the lawsuit.

A few days later, DiDonato was diagnosed with a hernia.

“When my side popped out, it all became a new ballgame,” he said. “I knew, right then, this was definitely not right. It’s not a thing about being tough. This is torture.”

DiDonato alleges he was punched in the face by a drill instructor after the hernia diagnosis, and suffered lacerations to the face.

“As a person who wants to be a cop, I’m supposed to be upholding the law. I’m looking at it through a legal point,” he said. “I’m seeing people getting abused around me. How can I go put a badge on and let this stuff happen? That’s why I reported it.”
Blowing the whistle

When he graduated from boot camp Jan. 14, 2000, he was assigned to Basic Marine Platoon, a placeholder for new Marines who are required to stay for various reasons. In February, he underwent surgery at Naval Hospital Beaufort, S.C.

It wasn’t until years later, he said, that he learned the surgery had damaged his internal organs. The lawsuit claims that it left him infertile.

Instead of allowing him to recover from the surgery, a DI allegedly berated DiDonato and forced him to walk around, climb up to the top bunk and wear utility trousers, even though the waistband rubbed and irritated the surgical area.

Sent home on convalescent leave later that month, DiDonato contacted his congressman, Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., to report the abuse, seeking an investigation and a medical discharge. But DiDonato didn’t return to the Corps on time and was considered on unauthorized absence. He would remain UA until April.

DiDonato never reported abuse to the chain of command, and the first the Corps heard of the accusations was in communications with Andrews’ office. Upon his return, DiDonato was given nonjudicial punishment and sent to Marine Combat Training.

He repeatedly asked for updates on the investigation into his DI abuse claims throughout MCT, he said, and while attending the Military Police Basic Course. DiDonato said he was ridiculed by staff members at both schools for reporting the alleged mistreatment.

Assigned next to Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., he said he felt “the same indifference and harassment was going to continue” within a matter of hours after reporting for duty Sept. 2, 2000, the lawsuit states. He went UA for a second time and again contacted Andrews’ office for help.

When he returned to Security Battalion in mid-November, after more than two months UA, DiDonato was retained and put into a leadership position by Applegate, according to court documents. But as DiDonato prepared to take holiday leave at Christmas, the lawsuit alleges, Applegate reversed course and told DiDonato that he must take an other-than-honorable discharge or he would be sent to the brig and dishonorably discharged.

On Jan. 9, 2001, DiDonato was administratively separated with an OTH.

The discharge stripped him of any future military or veterans benefits.

That launched what would become several years of correspondence between DiDonato and his congressman and Marine officials, leading to a host of conspiracy accusations.

Like the Marine Corps, Fran Tagmire, Andrews’ deputy chief of staff, declined to comment because of the lawsuit.

One of the allegations in the lawsuit accuses Applegate and two subordinates at Manpower of altering a letter that the commandant’s office received from Andrews’ office. Court documents contain two letters with the same date and letterhead, both signed by Andrews. The version on file with the Marine Corps, according to the lawsuit, omits a paragraph critical of Applegate, while the original version sent to DiDonato includes the information.

More than four years after Andrews initiated the inquiry, the Corps sent the congressman a letter in January 2005 informing him the investigation into DiDonato’s claims had been closed in November 2000 “due to a lack of information.”

By then, DiDonato had long been separated from the Corps.
Rocky road to re-enlist

Determined to clear his record, DiDonato in 2003 contacted Applegate, who was then branch head of Manpower Plans & Policies, asking for an upgraded discharge or for the opportunity to re-enlist. He threatened to sue Applegate, who allegedly responded by offering to help DiDonato re-enlist, according to court documents.

In an undated letter, included among the court documents, Applegate appears to endorse DiDonato’s request to re-enlist. But the documents allege Applegate and a Marine captain told DiDonato that in order to re-enlist, he had to petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records to upgrade his re-enlistment code.

“While theoretically true, BCNR is the forum to get a re-enlistment code upgraded, Colonel Applegate’s overall plan was not correct, contained a serious omission of fact, and amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel,” the lawsuit states.

“There are several things in there that really, really harmed him,” said Phillip Stackhouse, one of DiDonato’s two attorneys. “The fact that they send Scott a two-page letter of recommendation, then that’s not the package they send BCNR. I mean, how can you explain that in any way, shape or form?”

DiDonato retained the Jacksonville, N.C.-based attorney in early 2008. As the two worked to build his case for re-enlistment, they obtained several letters of character, including one from a former drill instructor and another from retired Lt. Col. Al Bancroft, director of military affairs, Office of Veterans Affairs in Camden County, N.J.

In mid-October 2008, Marine officials — including Applegate — told Stackhouse that Lt. Gen. Ronald Coleman had agreed to meet with his client, Stackhouse said. A positive meeting with Coleman, the head of Manpower and Reserve Affairs, could mean things were looking up for DiDonato.

But a voice mail from Applegate to Stackhouse changed everything.

“[Coleman’s] willing to see Scott, but you cannot be part of this,” a man who identifies himself as Applegate says in the voice mail, which Stackhouse replayed for Marine Corps Times.

In another, the man calling himself Applegate says, “You really can’t be in the building. This is going to be a done deal, I believe.”

DiDonato declined the meeting. Coleman denied his re-enlistment.

Stackhouse and Washington, D.C.-based attorney David Sheldon filed the first of four lawsuits in December, and the remainder on Jan. 16. The Federal Tort Claims Branch has six months to respond.

If a response is not made, Stackhouse said, he intends to file the case in federal district court. He wants DiDonato’s original discharge upgraded to honorable and a positive re-enlistment code.

DiDonato said if he gets any money, he wants to donate it to children’s cancer research.

“I want the people who are responsible for what they did to stand responsible for what they did,” DiDonato said. “The cover-up’s gotta stop. I have real brothers in the Marine Corps. I want to see some changes.”

[Unregistered]

why is it ex president bush started a bullshit, criminal war and our government is spending billions of tax payers dollars for this war, but yet these people don't even help our own military soldiers? didonato was a veteran of the desert storm war and served over 6 years in service, and i read he served 2 branches, which obviously he graduated 2 boot camps. so why don't these assholes just compensate him!!! he earned it just like any other service veteran. this is why i would never join because its a roll of the dice. you might or might not get screwed, but either way i'm tired of hearing about our vet's getting fu_ _ed by the system. were is obama now that he is the pres. all that shit he talked about helping vets, but why ain't he helping this guy didonato? 9 years is enough, what are they waiting for, this man to just die so they don't have to pay him.

i agree with you unregistered. president PUSH, I MEAN "BUSH", DID push a bologna war that cost billions of tax payers dollars. wasn't this the reason obama used too get elected? we should use that money for all of our veterans instead of a shit war. i would not serve the military because of these types of things that go on, but for the men and woman who serve, or have served, they should be rewarded for the efforts and sacrifices that they made. this story sure does look like a cover up, but of course, look at the ranking officials that this guy didonato is dealing with. in my opinion he should get compensated for what happened to him, but every military veteran should get compensated also. didonato served 2 branches of service and got no benefits! hell no i'll never join!...

[MrMiracle]

I find the whole "I'll donate all the money to charity" a great way to give the defendant reason to appeal. This gives the plaintiff two ways to stack the jury in their favor. Donating the money gives jurors an incentive outside of the pursuit of justice.

That aside, the whole attitude of someone-hazed-me-this-way-so-I-get-to-haze-you-this-way is unbelievably juvenile. What a great way to pass on one bad idea after another. If a black eye in the bankbook is the only way to get this through, even after the existing DI scandal, then more power to Didonato.

[Unregistered]

So, I've been reading all these threads and it sounds like DiDonato himslef is on here responding to anyone and everyone that thinks he's exploiting the system. My opinion is that this kid just needs to get on with his life. I understand you had some issues earlier in life, but you are taking this to a level that is just ridiculous. I understand that you wanted to return to active duty. So, when a Lt General agreed to meet with you personally to get your reenlistment paperwork done, you declined the meeting and are now demanding 30million dollars. Why would you turn down your dream shot of reenlisting if that's what you really wanted to do? Unless....that's not what you really wanted to do in the first place. You just sound like a disgruntled little kid who needs to grow up and get on with your life. Taking 30 million dollars from our Marine Corps will not get back at anyone, but only hurt our combat readiness in Iraq or Afghanistan. If you want to to fight it out to clear your record, then go ahead. But you don't have to negatively impact 200,000 Marines to do it. Where will you pull the 30 million from? New up armor for our Humvees, how about new flak jackets? I'm sure the wives will appreciate hearing that we won't be able to pay for new rifle scopes or better cold weather gear. Once again, if you want to fight it out to clear your name, then fine, go do it. However, don't hurt everyone else because you're pissed off. The Marine Corps called your bluff and said they'd bring you back in and you declined. So, what's your argument now???

[Unregistered]

I bloged earlier this week, but noone responded too my question.
if there wasn't truth too this article, then why are those high ranking officers, and congressman in a lot of trouble? they don't put you in a newspaper unless there is truth too a story.
any opinions on that?
also, does any one have a response about the general coleman wearing a red ball cap with his military issued uniform? isn't that a ucmj violation?

[posting12345]

Part of the rest of the article.

[posting12345]

These are the other parts of the article

[Unregistered]

For all those concerned where any money paid to where DiDonato would come from - it doesn't come out of the Marine Corps' pockets. It doesn't take away from up-armored Hummers, Kevlars, interceptor plates, weapons or ammo. Any money would come from a "judgment fund" out of the Department of the Treasury. Just hit it up on "ask.com"

You remember, the Department of the Treasury - they just got about a trillion dollars deposited by Congress to plus up the economy. Maybe they didn't exactly deposit a check, but still.

On the article:

"In early 2000, the suit says, DiDonato was forced to down a gallon of water and, afterward, felt something rip in his lower stomach. He looked down and saw a bulge protruding under his skin, the suit alleges."

What does requesting to go to the head have to do with it (from prior postings). Haven't you seen the chug a gallon of milk contest. It's nearly impossible without puking, rupturing, or having immediate diarrhea. Looks like he ruptured. Why do you think Glass was sent to a court vice NJP - it's dangerous...not like all of the other games the DIs play. I just went back an looked at the articles on Glass - good grief.

"DiDonato alleges he was punched in the face by a drill instructor after the hernia diagnosis, and suffered lacerations to the face."

When is that ever acceptable.

"Sent home on convalescent leave later that month, DiDonato contacted his congressman, Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., to report the abuse, seeking an investigation and a medical discharge."

He reports it to his Congressman when he gets home on convalescent leave away from the DI crew - makes sense.

"He repeatedly asked for updates on the investigation into his DI abuse claims throughout MCT, he said, and while attending the Military Police Basic Course. DiDonato said he was ridiculed by staff members at both schools for reporting the alleged mistreatment."

Following up with his report, getting ridiculed for reporting abuse - I bet that never happens, right? Give me a break. Maybe the Marine Corps should have investigated it when the Congressman asked for it.

"That launched what would become several years of correspondence between DiDonato and his congressman and Marine officials, leading to a host of conspiracy accusations."

Years of working this issue - seems like he gave the Marine Corps years to make things right with the help of his Congressman and he's using his last resort.

Altering of Congressional letters

Really? Altering Congressional Letters - and I'm sure there's some real good reason for doing that. Maybe doing the right thing for a change - try that.

So a lawyer is working with him to get him re-enlisted...remember he's a former Lance Corporal. The Commander of Recruiting Command apparently gives him the thumbs up according to the picture post. A 3-star General agrees to meet the former Lance Corporal. How often can that possibly happen. And then the Recruiting Command Commanding General changes and they tell him he can't have the lawyers that have been working with him in the meeting with the 3-star - they can't even be in the building.

Who would possibly walk into that spider web.

Seems to me that he's tried everything, only to have it shoved back into his face. Seems that he's using court as a last resort. Seems to me that Marine Corps should make him whole again.

[CplH5811]

i agree with both of you for certain reasons. 5811 says that if he were investigating this case, then he would hold the individuals responsible for there actions. i agree with that 5811, but i have a question for you. what do you do as an mp if your own superiors screw you? who do you turn to? it seems as if this is the point that didonato is representing to everyone. the story says this loud and clear. i'm not bashing anyone's opinion, but sometimes if you read a little harder you will find more to a story, and then you should make your detemination about that story. it's very easy for all of us bloggers to throw stones at this man didonato. but i've asked myself the same question over and over again, what the hell is this mr. applegate, general coleman, general kessler, general milstead, general tryon, and a congressmans pictures doing in a newspaper if this guy didonato didn't have a good case? or what is going on with these generals?
I think this guy uncovered something more than you or i will ever get a chance too see or read!! there is something fishy about this situation 5811 i agree, but the fingers aren't pointing at didonato, there all pointing at those generals and a congressman.
after the governor blagoyouvich scandal, i believe this mr. didonato is really on too something here!
we will have to see as it unravels. let's all keep an open mind, not judge and wait to see what comes next.
i must say one thing though , i like didonato's spirit.

I fully understand what you're saying here. I don't think that he doesn't have a good case but I do find it entirely idiotic and selfish that he's asking for $30M. That is my only objection. If he wants to make things "better" for recruits going through boot camp, ok. I could stand behind him on that one. Personally, having gone through it myself, I find that the stress and hardships of boot camp prepare you for life as a Marine, wherever that may take you. And, allow me to make myself clear, I DO NOT advocate any form of physical abuse, regardless of the reasoning behind it. As I have said in pretty much all of my other posts, I feel that the ones responsible should be held accountable for their actions. Now, even though they tried to let him back in, I (hopefully) understand why he didn't take the offer. I support his choice if he didn't want to because he saw that they were trying to sweep it under the table. I don't think that this whole case is about him getting kicked out. He's trying to correct the wrongs done to him and I am all for that. But as I said before, asking for money, regardless as to whether it goes to charity, in his pocket or into the ocean is just idiotic in my eyes. I hope he wins the case, the generals and congressman get what's coming to them but I don't think he should get a cent for it.

[CplH5811]

i agree with you unregistered. president PUSH, I MEAN "BUSH", DID push a bologna war that cost billions of tax payers dollars. wasn't this the reason obama used too get elected? we should use that money for all of our veterans instead of a shit war. i would not serve the military because of these types of things that go on, but for the men and woman who serve, or have served, they should be rewarded for the efforts and sacrifices that they made. this story sure does look like a cover up, but of course, look at the ranking officials that this guy didonato is dealing with. in my opinion he should get compensated for what happened to him, but every military veteran should get compensated also. didonato served 2 branches of service and got no benefits! hell no i'll never join!...

First off, I find this an interesting post. What does the war in Iraq, BS or not, have anything to do with the case? I'm just wondering.

With that being said, I would like to talk about your comment of compensation. I did a little bit of math and with todays pay rate which is higher than when he got in, there's no way in hell he rates $30M. A general (O-10) with over 38 years active service makes $18,061 base pay a month. Given that, times twelve, and then that times 9 (which would put us to about now since it's taken him so long to get a chance to bring this all to light) brings the total to $1,950,588. So, since he was a Lance Corporal when he got out with a few years in on active duty, there is no way in hell that he should get 30 million dollars. It doesn't even make sense. Even accounting all of the extras like housing, food and any other things that the military provides, I highly doubt that it even comes close to that amount. I can't give any numbers for the simple fact that I don't know what he has spent paying for what we service members get for "free". So, do you really believe that your tax dollars should go to a man who's simply trying to exploit the system while trying to settle a wrong-doing? Because I sure as hell don't.

[Unregistered]

Part of the rest of the article.

i read the article and still have not gotten a reply too my question. why are these generals faces on a newspaper, in trouble, if this story were not true?
there has too be a lot more behind the seen information too this article. there is a lot of unanswered questions but can anyone start by answering my first ?.
hey cpl5811, you seem too know it all, so what's your answer? i gotta hear this...

[Unregistered]

HOLY GENERALS BATMAN, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
I don't know robin, but we'll just have too see what happens next.
quick! too the bat cave. we have too find the answers.

[CplH5811]

i read the article and still have not gotten a reply too my question. why are these generals faces on a newspaper, in trouble, if this story were not true?
there has too be a lot more behind the seen information too this article. there is a lot of unanswered questions but can anyone start by answering my first ?.
hey cpl5811, you seem too know it all, so what's your answer? i gotta hear this...

Although I don't know all of the answers, I did stay at a holiday in last night. haha.

Seriously though, I don't think that it has anything to do with their guilt as to why the paper has pictures of them up. Now, I have read the story and I do feel that there was a cover up. Just because there are pictures, that doesn't make them guilty though. (Just adding that part in their for a littl ebit of "Devil's advocate")

Oh, and I forgot to reply to your other question. I don't believe it is against the UCMJ to wear a ball cap with cammies. It is in the uniform reg's though that only Marine Corps authorized head gear will be worn with its respective uniform.

[Unregistered]

Why didn't he just go back to the Army? Didn't he already serve with them? They would've taken him back in a heartbeat. I think we just got a bad apple.

[Unregistered]

I think if you look deeper into the guy who starts his post out with "YUP YUP", you'll understands what he means. He's not saying this is a race issue. He's saying that everyone has problems in life and life is not easy. If we all go around looking for money or placing blame on others then America will continue to have frivolous lawsuits as the lawyers take over. Someone in Europe told me that the joke on America during the olympics is that suing is our national sport. When do you start taking accountability for yourself? I've read through almost all these posts and no one can explain why he refused to reenlist when given a clear opportunity to come back in. Being given an opportunity to reenlist by a general does not mean he then runs back to find an attorney to sue the Marine Corps for 30 million dollars. Why didn't he reenlist? Is there anyone on ehre that can answer that?

[Unregistered]

I think if you look deeper into the guy who starts his post out with "YUP YUP", you'll understands what he means. He's not saying this is a race issue. He's saying that everyone has problems in life and life is not easy. If we all go around looking for money or placing blame on others then America will continue to have frivolous lawsuits as the lawyers take over. Someone in Europe told me that the joke on America during the olympics is that suing is our national sport. When do you start taking accountability for yourself? I've read through almost all these posts and no one can explain why he refused to reenlist when given a clear opportunity to come back in. Being given an opportunity to reenlist by a general does not mean he then runs back to find an attorney to sue the Marine Corps for 30 million dollars. Why didn't he reenlist? Is there anyone on ehre that can answer that?

i don't think you got the whole point about that enlistment thing with those generals. re-read the story, but look at the page with the generals faces, it explains the allegations of what each one did.
if I'm correct it looks like the one general brought him in, but the other one didn't. the one is a 2 star and the other is a 1 star. it looks like the generals are fighting each other over right and wrong.
the other guy applegate on the top page says that he did a lot of crooked stuff according to the accusations listed under his picture.
any how, the generals involved with this case seem to be doing things illegal, that is probably why the guy didonato got a lawyer.
this is my interpretation of the story. i could be wrong though.
i hope it helped.

[Unregistered]

Why didn't he just go back to the Army? Didn't he already serve with them? They would've taken him back in a heartbeat. I think we just got a bad apple.

IF I WERE HIM I'D TAKE THE MONEY AND STAY OUT. besides how come no one is bashing pres bush for filling his pockets from a crap war, and bush ain't even a veteran.
how much of tax payers money has obama spent on a presidential election and parties after the election? no one says anything about them.
those presidents could have given all that money to help the homeless, or the needy children, NOT SPEND IT ON A BALL OR A ELECTION PARTY.
at least this guy dinoato said he would give his money to the children with cancer. maybe we should vote for him, at least our tax money won't get squandered.
EAST COAST MARINES

[CplH5811]

i don't think you got the whole point about that enlistment thing with those generals. re-read the story, but look at the page with the generals faces, it explains the allegations of what each one did.
if I'm correct it looks like the one general brought him in, but the other one didn't. the one is a 2 star and the other is a 1 star. it looks like the generals are fighting each other over right and wrong.
the other guy applegate on the top page says that he did a lot of crooked stuff according to the accusations listed under his picture.
any how, the generals involved with this case seem to be doing things illegal, that is probably why the guy didonato got a lawyer.
this is my interpretation of the story. i could be wrong though.
i hope it helped.

I think his question was more aimed towards why did he need to have a lawyer present to talk about him getting back in? I am more than certain many of you are going to complain about what I am going to say next but, oh well.

What does this guy really want from all of this? To be recognized as a victim and those responisble get punished? Does he want back in the Corps? Is he just trying to get $30M to give to charity so that they name a hospital after him? What is it?

If it's the first, ok. Change his separation status and punish the congressman and the Generals. But, no money. I doubt it's the second because he would have taken the chance when it was given to him. My bet is on the 3rd but, I don't know.

[CplH5811]

Hahaha!! You tell.........uh.........whoever that is!!!!!
(I'm definately tired of all of the unregistered people in here)

Glad to see you stopped by ring, I was wondering when you were gonna show up.

[ringjamesa]

Is it just me or does it seem that the same unregistered person keeps posting over and over? I don't know how much I agree or disagree with the lawsuit. Sounds like he has a valid beef. $30 mill? Who am I to say? Medical issues and an OTH? That can put quite a damper on ones future prospects. It doesn't sound like he is even in it for the money. Usually people who say it is the principle of the thing are really just looking for a payday. He didn't. He sounds to me like someone that wants vengance as would I. It doesn't seem like the $ is the issue-he just wants those that he feels made his situation untenable be held accountable. I don't know about the $30 mil but hey I hope justice is served-whatever that happens to be in this case.

[posting12345]

HEY DOES ANY ONE KNOW WERE I COULD GET THE ACTUAL ARTICLE OF THE DIDONATO STORY? I want to see the other pictures of the officers involved with this story. i heard it was a couple of general involved with a fraud. anyone can get the pictures i appreciate it, thanks

Here's the pictures in the story of the officers involved.

[posting12345]

HEY DOES ANY ONE KNOW WERE I COULD GET THE ACTUAL ARTICLE OF THE DIDONATO STORY? I want to see the other pictures of the officers involved with this story. i heard it was a couple of general involved with a fraud. anyone can get the pictures i appreciate it, thanks

Here is the other one with the Congressman who is involved and the baseball hat.

[Unregistered]

hey you bloggers, i think i just figured it out! look at the bottom of that general milsteads picture. he is a 1 star general, and it say's that he countermanded the other generals decision. guess what though? that other general is a 2 star.
that means that the 1 star general milstaed tryed to over ride that 2 star general tryon's decision! that is what the paper is saying. also it say's that the milstead general is involved with a fraud!
yo, there has got to be a lot more to this, can anybody help play detective, cause i want to know? i think i figured some of this shit out, but maybe someone else can.
sgt. --------

[ordieike]

This guy or should a I say 30 year old man, was substandard and violated the UCMJ twice by going UA, so he should go up on charges and not just NJP, make it punative in nature and then guess what now he is a criminal. So now whoever thinks he is just some 19 year old PFC that didn't know what to do have no arguement that he is just standing up to big bad officers. The MC is so damn PC you can't even yell at these POS's without someone crying abuse beacuse they can't hack it. Does the MC do everything right ofcourse not. But was he tourted and beaten NO. I see this all too often and frankly these POS's need to go join the peace corps if they can't grow up and honor there commitment. No one forces you to sign, you ask for it.

[CRABLEG]

This guy or should a I say 30 year old man, was substandard and violated the UCMJ twice by going UA, so he should go up on charges and not just NJP, make it punative in nature and then guess what now he is a criminal. So now whoever thinks he is just some 19 year old PFC that didn't know what to do have no arguement that he is just standing up to big bad officers. The MC is so damn PC you can't even yell at these POS's without someone crying abuse beacuse they can't hack it. Does the MC do everything right ofcourse not. But was he tourted and beaten NO. I see this all too often and frankly these POS's need to go join the peace corps if they can't grow up and honor there commitment. No one forces you to sign, you ask for it.

I joined this site just to respond to your arrogant, and rediculous, comment. you sound as if you might know this person, and are saying things about him in a negative manner in order to get other people to listen to your rediculous way of thinking.
you have many bad comments to say about this guy, but yet you totally missed every legal topic of the story!
how could you write so much, but yet not mention any of the important issues about what is going on in our military.
this didonato was obviously one of the best marines apparently, and the story says he graduated boot camp, mct, and his job school, but that applegate guy screwed him over and cost him his job.
read the story in detail, and you will get a hell of a lot more than just what your saying.
are you by any chance involved with those other marines who are in legal trouble? it sounds as if you are one of the guys in the paper trying to defend yourself!!!!!!!!!!!! also just like the other blogger said, it was his CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT SCREWED HIM. i guess you missed that point also.

[CRABLEG]

i agree with your quote. his leadership did fail him. i would also like to hear from any anonymous drill instructor about this waterbowling torture they were taught and the response to the sgt. glass case. i also read that didonato spoke about this type of ritual used in training back in 1999 and 2000. well, if he said something about it in 2000 than why was this torture slill being used in 2007 in which sgt. glass was convicted of? if the commanding officers had investigated this type of treatment back in 2000, then there would have never been a sgt. glass abuse case in 2007!!!!!!! i also read that this type of torture was actually in the di's training manual and was later banned because of similar incidents reported. can any drill instructors chime in on this? if you do chime in, come with honor and speak the truth.

question to anyone, even a lawyer who might read this.
based on the story that i've read,If didonato reported these types of assaults and abuse back in 2000, and it was covered up by the chain of command, and if he decided not to be a cop because he says he did not want to be a part of these marines who were covering up this abuse. then why would his officer (applegate)who put him out want to bring him back in?
this all makes more sense because his com officer (the applegate guy) must have been a part of the cover up, and got caught and is now trying to get out of it.
can a legal expert chime in and give your opinion?
PLEASE, NO biased answers, speak inteligently

[CplH5811]

I joined this site just to respond to your arrogant, and rediculous, comment. you sound as if you might know this person, and are saying things about him in a negative manner in order to get other people to listen to your rediculous way of thinking.
you have many bad comments to say about this guy, but yet you totally missed every legal topic of the story!
how could you write so much, but yet not mention any of the important issues about what is going on in our military.
this didonato was obviously one of the best marines apparently, and the story says he graduated boot camp, mct, and his job school, but that applegate guy screwed him over and cost him his job.
read the story in detail, and you will get a hell of a lot more than just what your saying.
are you by any chance involved with those other marines who are in legal trouble? it sounds as if you are one of the guys in the paper trying to defend yourself!!!!!!!!!!!! also just like the other blogger said, it was his CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT SCREWED HIM. i guess you missed that point also.

First off, graduating through MOS school doesn't make you one of the best Marines. Second of all, he went UA twice. Regardless of the circumstances with the first time, there is still a second count. It didn't mention anything about it in the story but I highly doubt that his command told him to just go so that they could charge him UA again. Just take the time to think about that one. That's what got him kicked out.

[ordieike]

I joined this site just to respond to your arrogant, and rediculous, comment. you sound as if you might know this person, and are saying things about him in a negative manner in order to get other people to listen to your rediculous way of thinking.
you have many bad comments to say about this guy, but yet you totally missed every legal topic of the story!
how could you write so much, but yet not mention any of the important issues about what is going on in our military.
this didonato was obviously one of the best marines apparently, and the story says he graduated boot camp, mct, and his job school, but that applegate guy screwed him over and cost him his job.
read the story in detail, and you will get a hell of a lot more than just what your saying.
are you by any chance involved with those other marines who are in legal trouble? it sounds as if you are one of the guys in the paper trying to defend yourself!!!!!!!!!!!! also just like the other blogger said, it was his CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT SCREWED HIM. i guess you missed that point also.

You are effin' funny, you must be in love with this guy. By the way I was wrong about him I put 30 and he was probably around 32-36 when all this happened right. First sounds like this dude was the one saying things about people to lisen to his rediculous story. You know absoulutly nothing about whats going on in our military. To tell me some d'bag was just out of the blue screwed by his COC and this is all just some miss understanding is straight BS, and obiviously you wouldn't know due to the fact your probably some POS peace corps civilian or the dude himself. I have dealt with kids not wanting to grow up and be a man in the military and make no mistake about it, if your a bitch you will die one out in the sandbox, so there is no need for substandard Marines and if you are one of mine and you went UA twice that definately qualifies you as a POS in my book. (Running away from your problems) So get off your soapbox and join the Corps and see what it's like from both sides of the fence, one through the eyes of a lazy non-hacker or the person who gives all in everything they do, over and over again. Then pass your judgement. I will pass mine based off of experience.

[CRABLEG]

First off, graduating through MOS school doesn't make you one of the best Marines. Second of all, he went UA twice. Regardless of the circumstances with the first time, there is still a second count. It didn't mention anything about it in the story but I highly doubt that his command told him to just go so that they could charge him UA again. Just take the time to think about that one. That's what got him kicked out.

cplh5811, i have a couple of legal questions for you.
are you an active duty marine, in uniform, writing these comments?
what base do you work at?
who is your commanding officer of that base?
why are you so involved with this case?
do you have inside knowledge of this case?
do you personally know any of the individuals involved with this case?
do you work for the military police at the base that you are commenting from?
are you using a government computer to comment about this case?
are you using your own personal computer to comment about this case?
do you work with any of the individuals involved with this case?
is someone telling you to write these legal comments about this case?
do you know the victim personally in this case?
please answer the questions in full detail.

[CRABLEG]

For all those concerned where any money paid to where DiDonato would come from - it doesn't come out of the Marine Corps' pockets. It doesn't take away from up-armored Hummers, Kevlars, interceptor plates, weapons or ammo. Any money would come from a "judgment fund" out of the Department of the Treasury. Just hit it up on "ask.com"

You remember, the Department of the Treasury - they just got about a trillion dollars deposited by Congress to plus up the economy. Maybe they didn't exactly deposit a check, but still.

On the article:

"In early 2000, the suit says, DiDonato was forced to down a gallon of water and, afterward, felt something rip in his lower stomach. He looked down and saw a bulge protruding under his skin, the suit alleges."

What does requesting to go to the head have to do with it (from prior postings). Haven't you seen the chug a gallon of milk contest. It's nearly impossible without puking, rupturing, or having immediate diarrhea. Looks like he ruptured. Why do you think Glass was sent to a court vice NJP - it's dangerous...not like all of the other games the DIs play. I just went back an looked at the articles on Glass - good grief.

"DiDonato alleges he was punched in the face by a drill instructor after the hernia diagnosis, and suffered lacerations to the face."

When is that ever acceptable.

"Sent home on convalescent leave later that month, DiDonato contacted his congressman, Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., to report the abuse, seeking an investigation and a medical discharge."

He reports it to his Congressman when he gets home on convalescent leave away from the DI crew - makes sense.

"He repeatedly asked for updates on the investigation into his DI abuse claims throughout MCT, he said, and while attending the Military Police Basic Course. DiDonato said he was ridiculed by staff members at both schools for reporting the alleged mistreatment."

Following up with his report, getting ridiculed for reporting abuse - I bet that never happens, right? Give me a break. Maybe the Marine Corps should have investigated it when the Congressman asked for it.

"That launched what would become several years of correspondence between DiDonato and his congressman and Marine officials, leading to a host of conspiracy accusations."

Years of working this issue - seems like he gave the Marine Corps years to make things right with the help of his Congressman and he's using his last resort.

Altering of Congressional letters

Really? Altering Congressional Letters - and I'm sure there's some real good reason for doing that. Maybe doing the right thing for a change - try that.

So a lawyer is working with him to get him re-enlisted...remember he's a former Lance Corporal. The Commander of Recruiting Command apparently gives him the thumbs up according to the picture post. A 3-star General agrees to meet the former Lance Corporal. How often can that possibly happen. And then the Recruiting Command Commanding General changes and they tell him he can't have the lawyers that have been working with him in the meeting with the 3-star - they can't even be in the building.

Who would possibly walk into that spider web.

Seems to me that he's tried everything, only to have it shoved back into his face. Seems that he's using court as a last resort. Seems to me that Marine Corps should make him whole again.

i read this post and i agree with you about were the money comes from. i did look it up on ask.com.
about the money part though, how do you make a person whole after all this story is saying? money isn't everything and i think the corps owes this didonato more than just a check. is this how we honor our american soldiers after they serve our country? if his commanders did him wrong, would a pay check make up for all the things that this man has gone through in the last 7 or 8 years according to the story? or maybe a simple apology would have been sufficient. i just don't think the newspaper would have posted any of his commanders pictures in it if this were not true.
i also realize that our country has other problems, maybe bigger than the didonato story. but if we walk away from this soldier and not help him, is that how we are going to handle all of the other soldiers problems? write them off? give them a check and say good luck with your life?
his command started this problem and i think they should be the ones to fix this problem.

[kojack]

Perhaps an answer is relaxing the laws that forbid sueing a senior in the Armed Services. Privates could sue their NCOs and all officers and commanders would be open to law suits. First shirts and officers could buy "malpractice insurance" that would cover them when subordinates take them to court.

After a company commander loses his car and his house, he would stop giving unpopular orders and fear of a law suit would stop those drill sergeants from abusing recruits. I bet obama and the Libs would support this

[ordieike]

ordieike, need to ask you a few legal questions.
are you an active member of the marine corp? camp pen?
what is your mos?
are you based in the west coast?
what is your rank?
who is your superior officer?
are you a military police officer?
do you know any of the members involved with this case?
is any of the members involved with this case making you comment about this case?
why are you involving your self in this legal case?
do you know the victim in this case?
why did you use the term "don't ask, don't tell" in regards to this case?
what did you mean when you used the words, "sucking", "d'bag", "cream", and "don't ask don't tell"
were these comments made in a sexual orientated way against the victim in this case?
are you using a government computer to make these comments?
are you using a personal computer to make these comments?
answer all questions.

First off, they are no more legal then your right to free speach that you shouldn't have. Putting out information like that on the web for all to see would just be plain stupid. This is a blogging site, not ask a sea lawyor what you think is relevant. Lastly the enuendo is totally towards you due to your biased view of the military, in which you are not a part of, so how would you know anything. Why don't you go re-read my posts and answer the real questions about yourself. Thanks for making my weekend fun, I have real work to do now.

[CRABLEG]

First off, they are no more legal then your right to free speach that you shouldn't have. Putting out information like that on the web for all to see would just be plain stupid. This is a blogging site, not ask a sea lawyor what you think is relevant. Lastly the enuendo is totally towards you due to your biased view of the military, in which you are not a part of, so how would you know anything. Why don't you go re-read my posts and answer the real questions about yourself. Thanks for making my weekend fun, I have real work to do now.

please answer the previous questions directed to you Mr. ordieike.
camp pen. (i.p.b.c.p.) future ref.

[commonsense101]

Every One That Has Been Through Marine Corps Boot Camp Knows What Goes On There. This Doesn't Look Good For The Corps. Abuse Cases Seem To Have Skyrocketed In The Last Few Years. This Is What Happens When Your Leaders Fail You. This Should Have Been Taken Care Of When He Reported It Instead Of Trying To Play The Game Of "sweep It Under The Rug And Keep It Quiet" Didonato Shouldn't Have Went Ua And He Should Be Charged. He Probably Felt Like He Had No Where To Turn And No Other Options. Everyone Knows The Games That Your Leaders Play When You Have Pissed Them Off. Both Sides Were Wrong. He Was Wrong For Going Ua And His Leaders Were Wrong For Not Being Leaders. I Hope They're Hung Out To Dry But We All Know How The Game Is Played....for Those Who Are Saying This Was About Money...this Guy Seems To Have Wanted To Be A Marine. He Just Wanted Compensation For His Injuries. I Don't Know The Guy Personally But I Would Give Him The Benefit Of Doubt Before I Give His So Called Leaders. Take Care Of Your Marines!!!
That Thing Protruding Out Of His Gut Was Funny. ( The Cause Of It Poking Out Wasnt Funny) I Can Imagine Seeing Everyone Poke At It In The Squad Bay.

[posting12345]

From the AIR FORCE TIMES Letters Section:

Part of larger problem
I sympathize with former Lance Cpl. Scott DiDonato [“$30M abuse case began at boot camp,” Feb. 9]. I know from my experience that many officers and even senior enlisted seem to care only about themselves and their buddies — their Marines can just go to hell.

Two sergeants in my shop undermined my authority several times in front of other Marines. A master sergeant called me a terrorist in front of the whole company — just because of my ethnicity. (I am Indian, from India). I received threatening phone calls, but the Marine who threatened me was given a slap on the hand.

When I requested mast, my battalion commander saw me at the end of the day, showing me just how seriously he took assaults and threats on Marines in his unit. He then denied my request to be transferred or to be deactivated.

I hope the Marine Corps does what it must to bring the good leaders up its ranks instead of the selfish wannabes. Because of my experience in the Corps, I tell people to join the Army or the Air Force.

Former Cpl. Gaurav Taneja

Riverside, Calif.

[CRABLEG]

Perhaps an answer is relaxing the laws that forbid sueing a senior in the Armed Services. Privates could sue their NCOs and all officers and commanders would be open to law suits. First shirts and officers could buy "malpractice insurance" that would cover them when subordinates take them to court.

After a company commander loses his car and his house, he would stop giving unpopular orders and fear of a law suit would stop those drill sergeants from abusing recruits. I bet obama and the Libs would support this

im not certain if what you are saying is against this guy didonato or for him. what i will add is that maybe a malpractice insurance isn't such a bad idea! if these so called abusers that are in the military would just stop the abusing of our own troops, than they wouldn't have to worry about needing insurance.
if a civilian man abuses his own child at home the same way the marines abused didonato, i bet that the state would have taken the kids away, i guess when your in the military you can get away with all the abuse you want to give. and then it gets covered up. good luck didonato:

[SEMPERMAN]

I feel that the problem here is that he is trying to exploit the system. If he really is trying to change the Corps, than he wouldn't be asking for money to something that has nothing to do with what happened. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with where it "may" go but, why try and deprive the Marine Corps of $30M because of something that happened almost 9 years ago? The thing that upset me the most was the "excessive hydrating". I could swear that head calls were authorized in boot camp. Or, was he too scared to ask. I don't recall who said it on here but, I agree that he wasn't cut out to be a Marine in the first place and I am thoroughly embarrassed that this turd was an MP. I mean, c'mon, he went UA several times. No one is focusing on his issues are they? Of course not. Because we now have to have a kinder, gentler Corps. If that's what it comes to, count me out. What happened to all of the "Devil Dog" of yester-years? We have always been seen as the fiercest fighting force on the planet. Give it a couple years and we'll have France laughing at us.

Calm down there motivator. Your probably some punk ass kisser. Enough with your not worthy bullshit. You made it through boot camp so did he so respect that he was a Marine and that he was taken advantage of.

[darkhorse0369]

SITFU! thats what I say to this hard charging idiot. Is he out now? Enjoy yourself. I'm sure a couple of scars and a hernia aren't affecting your life that much. You really think you deserve $40million? LOL
Welcome to the Corps.

[Silver Fox]

i read this post and i agree with you about were the money comes from. i did look it up on ask.com.
about the money part though, how do you make a person whole after all this story is saying? money isn't everything and i think the corps owes this didonato more than just a check. is this how we honor our american soldiers after they serve our country? if his commanders did him wrong, would a pay check make up for all the things that this man has gone through in the last 7 or 8 years according to the story? or maybe a simple apology would have been sufficient. i just don't think the newspaper would have posted any of his commanders pictures in it if this were not true.
i also realize that our country has other problems, maybe bigger than the didonato story. but if we walk away from this soldier and not help him, is that how we are going to handle all of the other soldiers problems? write them off? give them a check and say good luck with your life?
his command started this problem and i think they should be the ones to fix this problem.

Great post.

The guy doesn't want the money, he's giving it away, and he's still trying to re-enlist. Sounds to me like one cool headed, upstanding citizen. He got fucked by the system and he STILL wants to serve it. He STILL believes there are good people in the Marine Corps. I'd say the guy deserves a "Semper Fi" and not the ridicule he's getting.

[SoCalSoldier]

I just have to say I believe some of this crap! This guy was not treated the way a person wanting to serve their country should be treated. What he is doing is 100% right. And for you ignorant people talking about the 30 million dollars: he's not the one that decided that amount his lawyers did. AND, he said if he does get money he's donating it to a charity that helps kids with cancer. He's not doing it for the money, and even if he was SO WHAT he deserves it!
And to all the selfish people in here that keep talking about, "well my husband only got this much..." or "I would only get this much if my husband died." or whatever the hell you're saying! You just sound like selfish idiots! Its not about you or your husband or how much money the military gives for this or that, its about somebody that was mistreated and had to have surgery because of it. FOCUS ON THE ISSUE AND STOP THINKING ABOUT YOUR DAMN SELF! This isn't about you!