Anything’s possible, I suppose.
Congressional Medal of Honor winner, and ex-U.S. Marine, Dakota Meyer could conceivably be "mentally unstable" and have “a problem related to drinking in a social setting”. Which is what Meyer’s former supervisor, Bobby McCreight, is alleged to have said about him.
There just doesn’t seem to a whole lot of evidence that would suggest that this is so.
But the allegation was, Meyer believes, enough to put the kibosh on a job with a defense contractor that he had been verbally assured was his.
So, Meyer is suing his former employer BAE Systems, and McCreight, his former supervisor.
In legal papers filed Monday, the Marine claims that BAE Systems, where he worked earlier this year, retaliated against him after he raised objections about BAE's alleged decision to sell high-tech sniper scopes to the Pakistani military. He says his supervisor at BAE effectively blocked his hiring by another defense contractor by making the claims about drinking and his mental condition. (Source: WSJ.)
Meyer was (understandably) angered about the arms sale, given that he’d been there/done that on the Afghan-Pakistan border. Which is where he earned his Congressional Medal of Honor by risking life and limb to rescue a bunch of his comrades – 36 of them, in fact - from Taliban fire. So, yeah, arms sales to our “friends” the Pakistanis is a personal thing.
"We are taking the best gear, the best technology on the market to date and giving it to guys known to stab us in the back," Sgt. Meyer wrote to Mr. McCreight, according to the lawsuit. "These are the same people killing our guys."
Because of this prospective sale, Meyer quit BAE. He thought he would be able to get his old job back at Ausgur Technologies, another defense contractor. That was until McCreight got out his weapon of choice, in this case, the e-mail which resulted in the DoD liaison passing the comments about the “mental instability” and “drinking” on to Ausgur.
McCreight had, according to Meyer, not taken too kindly to Meyer’s being up for the Congressional Medal of Honor:
In the suit, Sgt. Meyer said that after he voiced his criticism, Mr. McCreight began "berating and belittling" him. The supervisor criticized Sgt. Meyer for making a trip with their BAE division president and made sarcastic remarks about Sgt. Meyer's nomination for the Medal of Honor, allegedly ridiculing his "pending star status," the suit says.
McCreight is himself, I believe, a former Marine. So much for the deathless Marine Corps bond. Maybe he thought Meyer was just grandstanding when he went back five times to rescue more of his bros.
So, how’d you like to be in McCreight’s old combat boots right about now?
Whatever his motivations were in fingering Meyer – petulance, retribution, jealousy, sarcasm, or – let’s give him the benefit of the pre-court-of-law doubt – patriotism and sincerity (maybe he really believed that Meyer was a crazy drinker; maybe he believed that any one who would drink a can of Bud is nuts), McCreight’s name at this point is Mudd.
I have no idea how old McCreight is, but he’s taken on a young man – Meyer is just 23 years old – who has achieved iconic and revered status, at a time and in a place where it is nigh unto impossible to criticize a member of the military. Let alone one who’s just been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Think Sgt. Alvin York, who hailed from the neighboring state of Tennessee. If Gary Cooper were still alive, he’d be playing Meyer, who’s from Kentucky.
McCreight’s in the suit, in the news, and in the blogs, where I’m sure he has his apologists and defenders. Just not that many of them.
His reputation’s obviously at stake (if not altogether shattered), and his job’s likely at stake. Who knows for how long old BAE Systems will be on his side.
And as much as the average American is willing to call BS on most of the “wrongful whatever” suits filed in this oh-so-litigious nation of ours, no one will be calling BS here unless and until someone proves that Meyer is a mentally unstable drinker, and/or until someone disproves that the McCreight e-mail was, indeed, the reason Meyer didn’t get the job he was looking for.
Gosh, what was Bobby McCreight thinking when he fired off this e-mail? The spoken word becomes he-say, he-say in court. The e-mailed word lives on forever.
I’ve had a couple of people under me whom I had personally (but obviously not professionally) diagnosed as “mentally unstable,” but damned if I ever would have told that to a prospective hirer, let alone put it in an e-mail. If someone I knew had asked me off the record about one of these folks, I would likely have been somewhat forthcoming and warned them off. Mostly, when providing a reference, I used to wait for someone to ask me the $64,000 question: would I hire this person again. And I would have answered truthfully, yea or nay. But no one ever asked. (When I was especially enthusiastic about someone, I would volunteer that I would hire them again in a minute.)
I’m not a big one for knee-jerk glorifying everyone who dons a military uniform as a hero. But sometimes men in war do extraordinarily brave, courageous, and bold things, seemingly without regard for their own (leather)necks. And Meyer is apparently one of them. You might get a Purple Heart for a nick, but I do not believe that you get the Congressional Medal of Honor for being a wuss.
Semper fi!
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Could it possibly get any worse for Bobby McCreight? I just ran the spell-checker, and the correction suggested for McCreight is McVeigh. You CANNOT make this stuff up.
22 comments:
well said
After 200 + years " Once a Marine Always a Marine " may have to be changed in Bobby McCreight's case
No, No Bobby was jealous of what Dakota did and he did not like the spot light on this person who was subordinate to him. I can bet in my gutt, that Bobby is wondering right now what is going to happen to him.
Let's see can anyone on here find out if Booby ever made it into combat or is he just grand standing. I believe that the latter holds true. A state side Marine, not one of the first to fight for right and freedom and definitely has not kept his HONOR CLEAN.
I appreciate folks coming over her to leave comments, and I'm fine with people who want to criticize or defend Bobby McCreight. (Or me for writing about this situation, for that matter.) But when the comments stray into territory that might be construed as defamatory, I will be deleting them, interesting as they may be.
Speculating that Bobby was jealous is one thing, comments making "knowing" claims about things he's done, or his own mental health, are another.
Whatever mistakes Bobby McCreight has made with respect to Dakota Meyer, I don't want Pink Slip to become a forum in which people anonymously make claims about him that aren't part of the public record.
I would be happy to be in Bobby's shoes. I have known him for more than 10 years both in business and personally. He is humble, honest to a fault and a true American Patriot. Bobby spent most of his adult life in service of his country, fighting for America and teaching others to do the same.He is a decorated Marine Corps Sniper, is one of only 2 Marines in history to lead the Marine Corp Scout Sniper School 4 times. The gun fighting skills he taught are responsible for many soldiers coming back in one piece. He has been on dozens of missions as part of a special operations program, that no one will ever hear about Again, I would gladly be in his shoes and you people who only hear part of a sorry story, and then put Mr. Bobby McCreight in the same sentence as McVeigh should be absolutely ashamed of yourselfs. You need to be aware, that regardless what happened in this unfortunate situation, Mr Bobby Mccreight is also a true Americasn Hero and should be given the benefit of the doubt
Another quarter heard from.
Just want to set the record straight here: I was not in any way, shape or form comparing Bobby McCreight to Timothy McVeigh. It is one of the peculiarities of spellchecker that it sometimes comes up with very odd and unfortunate suggestions for corrections. In this case, the point I was making that, here is a man that is getting a lot of bad publicity (and perhaps even running into problems at work) because of what may have been an ill-advised action, and - as if that's not bad enough - spellchecker does him in. When ir rains, it pours. That's all.
The people I would actually compare to Timothy McVeigh are few and far between and, of course, occupy a special circle in hell.
You should be listening the medal of honor winner. The export license would likely NOT be granted except that BAE used demonstration only as a loophole.
There is clearly an intent to sell them to our likely enemies and you were called out on it.
Rather than showing respect for his sacrifice you think that your sacrifice is of sufficient stature to allow you to call him mentally unstable. I would ask you to look in a mirror and ask who exactly do you think you are. Generals argue with Presidents all the time and get pushed out. They however are afforded respect because they earned the right to have an opposing opinion. A medal of honor winner deserves the same level of respect.
Botton Line, state of the art sniper scopes should not be going to that part of the world to get misplaced, stolen, or sold. Dakota knows that you always sell one or two versions older and that is what you should demonstrate to them. Otherwise you giving away information.
If they believe our best is 10 feet then they'll never look for us at 20 feet. The kid is right and you are flat wrong.
Anyone who believes the first thing headlined by the media is the whole truth, and fact-verbatim - is an idiot. Anyone who believes intelligence and integrity automatically go with bravery and outstanding phyical performance - is an idiot. Anyone reading this and forming an opinion: please, don't be one of the spoon-fed masses! Those that know, and those that were there know that this is total BS and is about $$$$$$$.
Would that a Congressional Medal for Integrity, Honesty, Endurance and "Calling BS" be minted and awarded: Bobby McCreight would get one. Those who know (and few will unfortunately ever know - this is a man who movies HAVE been made about) what Bobby did in the service of his country, are like me; sad, outraged and dissapointed in the treatment this quiet hero is receiving. semper fi Bobby.
I agree 100% that there's no guarantee that bravery in combat will necessarily translate into leading an exemplary life. Never has been, never will. But we do love our heroes (even when they turn out to have feet of clay),and taking one on has put Bobby McCreight in a precarious professional position.
It will be interesting to see how this story plays out. One would hope that both men get their day in court. The more likely scenario, in my opinion, is some sort of settlement which, unfortunately for Mr. McCreight, would probably leave him under a cloud.
Given all the news about this, I'm wondering whether he would have chosen a different path: not sending the e-mail, perhaps making a phone call instead; moving the issue up his chain of command; etc. But perhaps not, as these approaches may not be who he is.
In any case, I maintain - from a professional standpoint - my original view point: I would not want to be in his shoes.
I echo the sentiments of the other person who knows Bobby. I too would GLADLY be in his shoes. I've had the honor to work along side of him professionally and am proud to call him a friend personally.
The issue here is not about the Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer, but about the man. I have been blessed to know and lay to rest many of America's heros over the years, including 2 other recipients of the MOH. NONE of these men would have the testicular fortitude to use their valor as a platform for ANY personal situation. In fact they are the most humble people I've ever had the privilege of meeting.
The issue here is that the media does not tell the entire story,because IT HASN'T been released yet. and unfortunately when the fiber of America is forgotten and it's citizens voice opinion when hot button terms like BRAVE, HERO, MEDAL OF HONOR, MARINE, etc. are used it sends emotional daggers in the heart of any man, woman and child who is a God fearing American the opinion naturally falls to viewing it as the ultimate wrong doing.
I would encourage all of you to wait to hear the facts of the response of Mr. McCreight to see what shakes out.
The saying those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones is very fitting here. Another point to consider when everyone decides to blindly listen to the media outlets is just this....
What employee who was with a company less that 90 days would be given access to ANY high level information on ANY topic, and let alone be involved in any discussion of trade internationally with State Dept. and the incredibly serious and legal process that is required to ship that technology ANYWHERE. It's true in any business, in any fashion. Think about it.
one other note I think is important to post here is that Bobby is also a Prior service Marine. He served 12 yrs of active duty and to further add to that point, he was a Sniper. Who better to understand and uphold the value of NOT selling highly confidential technology outside the US than someone who laid behind the rifle and relied on his scope to protect the USA. hmmm???
Bobby mccreight and BAE OASYS must be held accountable.
Total lack of responsibility and very disrespectful, on the part of bobby mccreight and BAE OASYS. I suspect that this mccreight character got jealous of the younger and more decorated marine.
this bobby mccreight character and bae oasys will have to bite the bullet and step up to the place, what a shame & utter disrespect to the young marine.
This guy has had a chip on his shoulder for years. He thinks nothing about bad mouthing others to make himself look better. He'll spend alot of time trying to justify himself and convince others of his accomplishments, but nothing he ever did or will do can even compare to the heroism of Dakota Meyer. His jealousy, arrogance, and defamation of a living war hero finally came to a head and brought shame upon the good name of the USMC, a private company, and himself. The guy does have a longtime character flaw or two and there are plenty of witnesses. Meyer will
come out on top on this one and the offender will be on the losing end. Alot of very powerful people and organizations will always aid Dakota Meyer. Trying to hurt a decorated, proven war hero is treacherous, malicious, and won't be forgotten.
For what it's worth, I can verify that Bobby McCreight was a former Marine Sniper Instructor who was instrumental in the modernization of the Marine Corps sniper training program. I knew Bobby well and can objectively say that he does have a big mouth sometimes and I can see him sending an email like the one described. To the chic who posted this: GET A LIFE! What is your angle anyway? The Medal of Honor winner isn't going to have any problems finding work elsewhere. Why sue? He needs to be a man and move on. BAE is a freaking foreign (Brit) company anyway. Get a real job, quit your bitching, and don't sell out by being party to a lawsuit that in the end is only going to make you feel like less of man anyway. You freaking Californians are sooo sue-happy. Liberal wussies. Oh, and Miss, your reasoning for making the McVeigh comment is stupid. What a colossally stupid thing to write. Have some integrity and admit it.
Bobby McCreight is an Awesome Warrior! I'm a Marine and Know him very well, I also know the other person. I will tell you this; "Flush out your head gear "New Guy" Bobby McCreight was right on with what he did and thats a fact!!!Bobby McCreight is the epitome of a Special Ops Operator. I Back Bobby McCreight 100% and then some!!!! Semper Fidelis and Sua Sponte.
After reading the entire complaint against bobby mccreight and his friends at BAE oasys, im convinced that these are narcissistic and egotistical bunch of people who should be working the drive thru at taco bell. Read the complaint if you have some wasted time to kill
I worked with Mr. McCreight when he worked @ Surefire LLC.
I have personal experience with his character or lack thereof. This is perfectly consistent with what was exhibited then.
Cpl Mccreight was one of my Instructors in Sniper School. Looking for one of his partners Mike Smith. If anyone that knows mcCreight knows Smith's whereabouts, I'd certainly love to reconnect.
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