He wanted to be a writer:
THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned from a military source close to the investigation that Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchamp–author of the much-disputed “Shock Troops” article in the New Republic’s July 23 issue as well as two previous “Baghdad Diarist” columns–signed a sworn statement admitting that all three articles he published in the New Republic were exaggerations and falsehoods–fabrications containing only “a smidgen of truth,” in the words of our source.
Separately, we received this statement from Major Steven F. Lamb, the deputy Public Affairs Officer for Multi National Division-Baghdad:
An investigation has been completed and the allegations made by PVT Beauchamp were found to be false. His platoon and company were interviewed and no one could substantiate the claims.
According to the military source, Beauchamp’s recantation was volunteered on the first day of the military’s investigation.
I almost felt sorry for him for a moment. Joined the Army to burnish his cred, could see it all laying out there in front of him - first, those diaries in a sympathetic journal, later the book tour and movie rights. But then I remembered that the rungs he hoped to use in his ladder to success were made from the knives he stabbed in the backs of those he served alongside.
Then, not so much.
32 responses so far ↓
1
unkawill
// Aug 7, 2007 at 6:40 am
What a wuss. I see a General Courts Martial in his immediate future.
2
SJBill
// Aug 7, 2007 at 6:41 am
Another darling of the left in the making. He shudda chosen the three Purple Hearts in three months development path, however.
3
Jeopardy
// Aug 7, 2007 at 6:46 am
You’re probably right, unkawill. Big Chicken Dinner at a minimum. I’m Glad that this fraud was uncovered, but you’ll never sway the opinions those who have bought into the “truthiness” of the PVT’s fictions.
4
GEO6
// Aug 7, 2007 at 7:09 am
Hopefully he will be an “E-I-owe-you-one” with a BCD Special under his belt as Jeo suggests. Alas, another “martyr” for the far left to hug and cuddle.
5
SeniorD
// Aug 7, 2007 at 7:30 am
Cap’n
PVT Beauchamp is in for a world of hurt. There can’t be enough latrines from him to clean nor enough spuds to peel to exonerate him. I wonder what this means for his wife, the TNR reporter.
Any response from Prof. Cole yet?
6
SGT Jeff (USAR)
// Aug 7, 2007 at 8:46 am
I wonder what his wife thinks of him now? And of her employer as well…
7
SeniorD
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:04 am
I also note Pvt. Beauchamp recanted his fiction the very first day of the Army’s investigation.
Maybe he knew something we didn’t?
8
Jeopardy
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:15 am
Casca,
Good point. An admin sep would be quicker. I can’t imagine that any solder (sailor, airman, marine, or anyone else who wears a uniform) could ever trust this guy again.
Armylawyer has a pretty good write-up of the legal implications and ramifications of his actions. Looks like it depends on to whom he lied, the Army or TNR.
9
P-3W
// Aug 7, 2007 at 9:17 am
I wondered about that too, SeniorD, that he capitulated so promptly.
Mayhap the values the Army tried to instill took to a small degree, we can hope.
That or his buddies threatened to ignore him forever and ever.
10
SeniorD
// Aug 7, 2007 at 11:09 am
P3-W,
Either that, or permanent assignment as a one-man forward observation post.
And, thanks to Casca for the link. Very interesting perspective.
11
AW1 Tim
// Aug 7, 2007 at 11:12 am
Shipmates,
I’d be surprised if the good private was still attached to his company. Were I his CO, I would’ve tad’d his backside to somewhere out of the area for his own personal safety.
It would be bad enough having to deal with a dirtbag like him in the first place, especially after the rest of the unit found out what he’d written about them. However, I wouldn’t want to have to do the investigation into his disappearance, or worse, if he was allowed to remain with his command.
I remember clearly one such airman in a former squadron who was hauled before the Skipper for Captain’s Mast. All the while, the Master Chief and the kid’s Division Chief were packing his stuff. The Admin folks were settling his accounts, and doing up his admin discharge papers.
As soon as the Skipper was finished with him, He was escorted by the CMC and 2 Shore-Patrol types to the bus station, handed his discharge papers, his final paycheck, a bus ticket to his home of record and his sea bag and other personal items. They stood with him and made certain that he got onto the bus headed to his home of record.
It’s amazing how quickly these things can get done.
Respects,
12
Casca
// Aug 7, 2007 at 11:51 am
Just to keep the record straight, Jeopardy gets the credit for supplying the link. My name is in there because he was supporting my observation.
I doubt that he’s in danger of physical harm by those around him. Men tend to be a tolerant lot. These fellows have other concerns, and probably don’t even read his crap. If they do, it’s more likely he’ll become a joke. As the Curpster recently pointed out, if you want to expose a fool, rent him a hall.
It’s also highly likely that his unit may not be in any hurry to excrete him. There are all manner of jobs befitting a man in his time and place, none of which others might relish. It is entirely within the scope of reason, that he may be kept on through the deployment, and separated at a date more convenient to the needs of the service.
13
Jeopardy
// Aug 7, 2007 at 11:59 am
Thanks, Casca.
The one thing I expected to hear about regarding this is the Army’s Blog Regs that just went into effect, but I can’t recall seeing it mentioned anywhere. Is that because he went straight to TNR vice posting directly online?
14
Curt
// Aug 7, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Just to toss a levity grenade into the august crowd, try this:
Beauchamp at the Bat” by Dr. Sanity
Chase my link (give me some linked love) and read the rest!
15
RonF
// Aug 7, 2007 at 1:53 pm
BCD? Can someone explain for those of us who are not current or ex-military?
16
FbL
// Aug 7, 2007 at 2:03 pm
BCD = Bad Conduct Discharge, I believe. But don’t quote me…
17
P-3W
// Aug 7, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Also I’ve seen referred to as the Big Chicken Dinner, for what it’s worth.
18
lex
// Aug 7, 2007 at 2:17 pm
It’s the military equivalent to a felony conviction, and will ensure that the “awardee” never works for the federal government ever again. As well as having to explain himself to any other prospective employer who wants to know what he’s been doing with himself since finishing high school, or in this case, dropping out of college.
And I agree it’s unlikely. Admin Sep is more the thing. Get it over with, get on with it.
19
Deborah Aylward
// Aug 7, 2007 at 2:32 pm
It’s a scary thought, though, to see just how many of the left jumped on his little bandwagon and will now see Beauchamp as having been wronged.
You are so right, Lex…..let’s move on.
Veritas et Fidelis Semper
20
rpl
// Aug 7, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Lex:
If this jerk can get himself published, why can’t you give your stuff another shot? It’s a fictionalization of reality, rather than pure fantasy.
21
Babs
// Aug 7, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Here, here rpl. I am just one short nag from making a pest of myself to the good Cap’n…
Get a publisher Lex. I need your book in hard cover! Enough internet hijacking for Christmas presents.
22
marvin
// Aug 7, 2007 at 5:10 pm
this pvt needs some ‘personal counseling’ like my ol’boatswainmate chief used to provide my division.
funny, I never was there for any of those counseling sessions. Maybe as a division officer with an excellent CPO - that was a good thing.
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