Sometimes mistakes do get corrected. Back on March 9th I wrote about the case against Lt. Gen William Caldwell, a very old associate of mine, who was covered by Rolling Stone. The accusation against him was that he had run a rogue operation attempting to brainwash visiting government officials and elected representatives into supporting the mission in Afghanistan. Coming on the heels of the article that forced the removal of Gen McKristol for his, and his staffs remarks denigrating their President.
I spoke in defense of LTG Caldwell because I knew him, and I thought I understood what had taken place. I was right, or at least the Army and of its’ investigators thought so as well. He was acquired of all charges and will continue in his role heading up the training of Afghans for U.S. and NATO commands. This is a big tough, and thankless command for any senior military officer.
The good news here is that a good man had his reputation restored. After all the press comments after the Rolling Stone article I felt he would need a lot of luck to achieve a positive outcome…and he had it. A career of stellar and exemplary service will continue. We are all the better for this outcome.
For everyone else undergoing a trial of their reputation should take notice and heart. Good things can happen to good people – even when a reporter from Rollng Stone is asking you questions. Good can prevail! This time it did. His dad, my former boss, must be smiling from above.
