Marine Corps Times’ cover story this week dives deeply into an issue that has rubbed a number of Marines raw, following the recent publication of news stories about a pending inspector general complaint filed against Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and several members of his staff. The complaint, among other issues, questioned whether the commandant showed preferential treatment to then-Maj. James B. Conway, the son of retired Commandant Gen. James T. Conway, as the Marine Corps investigated Marines caught on video urinating on the remains of dead Taliban fighters. The complaint, filed by Maj. James Weirick, a staff judge advocate with…
Browsing: James Conway
Four years ago last month, Commandant Gen. James Conway announced that he had selected Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent to serve as his sergeant major of the Marine Corps. It’s a demanding position that requires those who hold it to be equally comfortable while offering blunt advice to a four-star general, inspiring junior Marines and articulating the Marine Corps’ needs on Capitol Hill. Following Conway’s retirement in October, the time is coming for Kent to move on, too. The sergeant major is expected to retire this spring after completing a four-year term as the Corps’ top enlisted Marine. He has held the position…
This morning, I met with Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent in his office for a wide-ranging interview. We discussed a variety of issues for future stories, and eventually the subject of this blog, Battle Rattle, came up. Kent, the Marine Corps’ top enlisted Marine, then asked about “the handshake video.” As in, had we seen the video of him shaking hands with recently retired Commandant Gen. James Conway? The one adapted from the service’s 2009 birthday message and set to the music of legendary rapper Snoop Dogg? For those not familiar with what I’m talking about, feel free to review it here. Fair…
