Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was thrown into the brig for daring to rebuke military leadership for surrendering to the Taliban, arming the terrorists group with $83 billion in US weapons, and stranding thousands of Americans and green card holders in the country.
The outspoken officer was formally charged with six violations and referred to a special court-martial.
On Friday Lt. Col. Scheller was slapped with a $5,000 fine and reprimand.
Russia Today reported:
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller has been issued a letter of reprimand and docked $5,000 in pay for his public criticism of the US’ heavily-scrutinized withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left 13 Americans dead.
Scheller remained defiant at his court martial hearing, saying before the proceedings that he stands by his comments on the matter.
“I feel good about everything I said,” he declared before being given his punishment. Scheller posted multiple videos that went viral in which he blamed military leadership and poor planning for the chaotic US exit from Afghanistan.
“This is not the America I fought so hard to defend for the last 17 years,” Scheller, 40, said in the videos.
Judge Glen Hines noted that Schaffer had an impressive military record before his recent misconduct. In reviewing the videos, Hines said he saw “a man who appeared to be in pain, frustrated and confused.”
Scheller has noted that he has faced personal struggles in recent months, but added that nothing he said in the videos was false…
…Scheller’s attorney, Tim Palatore, defended his client after the hearing, saying he expressed the frustrations of numerous other US service members and veterans over the handling of the recent military withdrawal.
