Army secretary resigns in wake of scandal at Walter Reed hospital

[CommunityEditor]

Army Secretary Francis Harvey has resigned. [Read the full story.]

The announcement comes amid a hailstorm of congressional and public criticism for the treatment of wounded combat veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington. News of the poor treatment was revealed in late February in articles published by Army Times and the Washington Post.

The resignation came one day after Harvey fired Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman as the commander of Walter Reed. The statement said service leaders had “lost trust and confidence” in Weightman’s ability “to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care.”

Share your thoughts about the announcement.

[jeepblood]

We owe it too our Soldiers and their families who have been wounded in battle to provide them with world class medical care. However, our leadership must go even further then Walter Reed Army Medical Center in its investigations as this is not the only location where conditions are of such a deplorable state. The United States Army has focused on accomplishing the wartime mission in every major conflict as Soldiers continue to serve with honor and distinction. But, quality of life has remained the lowest priority for Soldiers while all other branches of military service place the greatest emphasis in this area first and foremost. COL Garibaldi the Garrison Commander at Walter Reed Army Medical Center was obviously correct in the findings presented by the memorandum pertaining to this debacle. If anything he should be promoted to Major General and placed in command of Walter Reed Medical Center as he has obviously had the best interest of the Soldiers, and the Army first and foremost in his decision making process. Maj. Gen. Weightman was a scapegoat in this whole scandal that also has a genuine concern for Soldiers, and the Army. Maj. Gen. Weightman should be made the next Medical Command Surgeon General being commended for his outstanding leadership as opposed to having been relieved. The Company Commander and First Sergeant currently in place responsible for building eighteen at Walter Reed Army Medical Center should be commended as well. I believe that all the mentioned leaders here should be given formal apologies.

Leaders must take ownership for their actions. Especially when such let downs occur. I find it funny as I watched news reports to see leadership downplay the severity of this Army wide issue. Lt. Gen. Kiley should resign just as Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey did.

Privatized contracts and current transformation of our Army are in desperate need of review. The studies that have been conducted ultimately causing many government civil service employees to lose their jobs, and otherwise leave as big contract companies in which our political leadership has awarded billion dollar contracts destroy our Army while they watch their own bank accounts grow is a serious issue. It is political leadership that needs to be checked as well. Our military government housing and all contracted services should be given back to the civil service and military members in certain military occupational specialties. This has been an expensive mistake for our Army.

I am a senior medical Noncommissioned Officer who loves my United States Army and our Soldiers. I have worked under Maj. Gen. Wieghtman when I was a Drill Sergeant and for COL Garibaldi as a young Sergeant. Both of these men are great leaders, and it is sad to see Maj. Gen. Wieghtman made a scapegoat because of others failure.

“Army Strong”