Major Lewis was busy preparing for the UN transition and had little time to make my life more miserable than it already was. During the morning briefing, the Colonel instructed his officers to begin drafting awards for the deployment and not to wait until the last minute. Immediately following the meeting, Major Lewis approached me and told me he wanted to speak with me about a Navy Commendation Medal. I was totally confused. I knew Major Lewis despised me and for him to put me in for a medal meant one thing: somebody cloned him and took possession of his body. I met him in his office to discuss the medal.
“Gunnery Sergeant Thompson, have a seat. As you know the Colonel has tasked me to begin writing awards so I want to get started as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir.” I responded.
“I wanted to give you the honor of typing it yourself. I know you will make it perfect.”
“Absolutely. No problem, sir,” I said elated.
I didn’t care who typed it. The significant takeaway for me was that maybe this meant a truce between the two of us. Despite the misery he made me endure, I was more than happy to forgive and maybe forget.
“Are you ready to begin typing?”
“Ready when you are, Major,” I replied, poised to begin typing.
“For meritorious service as the Logistic Chief for MARFOR, Gunnery Sergeant Eric Sherman displayed...blah, blah, blah.”
I was naïve and stupid to think a leopard would ever change its spots. I couldn’t let him know how deep the cut was so I continued to type as if nothing had fazed me. I handed him the write up and smiled. I walked away angry. In my mind’s eye, I was causing him great bodily harm and I enjoyed it. I decided to do an inventory of classified, just as busy work to keep from snapping over that last dig.
I was half way through the inventory and I realized I was missing copy one of two of the Somalia Threat Assessment. I knew it was there because I sited it when 10th Mountain signed for copy two of two. I emptied the safe in a panic. It was not there. I sat on the floor with classified all around me. The Somalia Threat Assessment, a SECRET document, was unaccounted for. In the Marine Corps, everyone knows that there are three things you never lose: weapons, appropriated funds, and classified material. The missing document made me think of Captain Shaffner, my former Officer in Charge who forged a destruction report to save his butt. I know why he did it, because it is a career killer. As much as I would have loved to dodge this bullet, I was not a liar. I closed my eyes and prayed a prayer of deliverance. Whenever I really need to get out of a serious jam, I would pray and then fast for twentyfour hours. My fast began immediately following my prayer. I sighed deeply and reported to Major Lewis.
“Major Lewis. The Somalia Threat Assessment is unaccounted for.”
“You mean you lost it?” “Yes, sir.”
“Do you know what I call that?” Major Lewis asked.
I didn’t answer and looked down at my feet.
“Gunnery Sergeant Thompson, I call it karma. You sat idly while my friend Captain Shaffner made a mistake that forced him to retire. Now it is your turn. Let’s go have a chat with the Colonel, shall we?”
The chat with the Colonel did not go well for me. He was furious and he had a reason to be. Major Lewis recommended that he fast track my hearing to the following day to determine my fate. I was advised that I could have a character reference to vouch for my standing. My career survived so many close calls, but this one looked hopeless. I had seen the Lord work miracles for me in the past, but I saw no way out of this mess.
After I was dismissed, I went to visit Dr. Gaye in his tent. I was going to ask him to be a character reference for me at my hearing the next day. He was not there so I left him a note. I left his tent and went to my quarters to indulge in my favorite pastime, sleep.
The next morning I woke up stuck in this same stupid nightmare, with me clinging on to my career. I wished it were a dream. After the morning meeting, I walked in the Colonel’s office for my hearing and Major Lewis was standing beside him waiting for me.
The Colonel opened the hearing with his remarks. “Gunnery Sergeant Thompson, we are here to determine the appropriate disciplinary course of action for your negligence resulting in the loss of classified material. I take this matter seriously. Let me remind you that this is a combat environment and negligence such as the loss of classified could cost lives. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
“I see you have no one to vouch for your standing so I will begin with the proceedings.”
After the Colonel concluded his opening statements, Major Lewis walked around and positioned himself directly behind me. He reached into my holster to retrieve my 9mm pistol, but it wasn’t there.
“Where is your firearm?” “I don’t have it,” I replied.
“So. Have you lost that as well, Gunnery Sergeant Thompson?”
“No. Right now it’s in the armory.”
“Why don’t you have it on your person?” Major Lewis demanded.
“Well, sir. I have been under a little stress and I thought it would be a good idea to turn it in. The Chaplain knows about it and he supported the decision.”
After I finished my explanation, I straightened my uniform that was ruffled by Major Lewis’ grubby hands.
“Twenty seconds of...”
Before I could think of what I need twenty seconds of, Dr. Gaye stepped in to the office and stood by me.
“Pardon my lateness Colonel, but I was in a meeting with the MAU Commander, he gives his regards.”
The calvary had arrived. If I was going down it would be with a fight to the last breath. Dr. Gaye wasted no time and began his appeal on my behalf.
“Since my arrival in Mogadishu, I have had regular contact with Gunnery Sergeant Thompson. He is honest, dedicated to the mission and loyal to the Corps.”
Major Lewis challenged Dr. Gaye with contempt. “It’s too late for that!”
“Stand down Major. It’s my turn to speak. You will be afforded an opportunity when I am finished.”
I didn’t know what Dr. Gaye had up his sleeve, but I believed in him. I felt things were shifting in my favor, but how?
“Colonel. The Somali Threat Assessment was published in…”
I responded. “1988.”
“In 1988, I was here in Mogadishu and I contributed to the Assessment in question. In fact, the reports officer is a good friend of mine. I would like to offer my opinion. The Assessment is no longer an issue of national security.”
“On what grounds, Dr. Gaye?” the Colonel responded.
“On the grounds that the information was provided to us by Ishmael Ali, a Somali intelligence officer.”
“What bearing does that have? Explain yourself Dr. Gaye.”
“In 1988 Ishmael Ali reported to the country’s intelligence chief, Mohamed Farah Aidid. My question is simple. What methods and sources are we protecting here? There is no government and Aidid is now our adversary. He knows we have the assessment because he gave it to us in the first place.”
I was impressed. Dr. Gaye was in the zone and I no longer felt like I was doomed. Even Major Lewis did not have a comeback.
“Dr. Gaye. Everything you have said makes perfect sense to me. However, at the moment the document still is classified as SECRET and we must protect it as such until it becomes declassified.”
“Declassified? May I see the logbook?” Dr. Gaye requested.
“For what reason?” Major Lewis demanded.
“I want to check the declassification date. There could be a possibility that the document might be declassified.”
The Colonel handed the logbook to the both of us. I was hoping for the best, but SECRET documents usually had a long shelf life.
“Unfortunately, it is illegible,” Dr. Gaye replied. “Enough of this! Colonel, I am recommending that Gunnery Sergeant Thompson be charged under Title
18 Section 793. Gathering, transmitting or losing defense information.”
The Colonel pushed back from his desk and stood slowly.
“Major Lewis, you are right. I am afraid that I have no choice in the matter. This is gross negligence befitting of a Special Court Martial. And that is my decision.”
The Colonel’s words knocked the wind out of me. I was looking at jail time and a big fine. Losing classified material in the rear is one thing, but the loss of classified in a combat-like environment was a serious matter. I was done. Major Lewis sighed smugly and cracked a smile. I noticed two armed military policemen standing outside the Colonel’s office. They were waiting to take me away.
Dr. Gaye had one last request.
“Excuse me Colonel, but I see here in the log book that 10th Mountain has a copy. Maybe they can tell us the declassification date of the Assessment?”
Major Lewis objected but the Colonel overruled him.
Dr. Gaye made the call on speakerphone.
“Corporal Tucker, 10th Mountain, this is an unsecured line. How may I help?”
“Corporal. I am Dr. Gaye from MARFOR. Do you have a copy of the Somalia Threat Assessment, copy two of two?”
“Wait one, sir.”
I was in a whirlwind of emotion, up and down, up and down. I didn’t know how this was going to play out.
“Sir, I have it,” the Corporal responded.
“Corporal, please tell me the declassification date of the document.” Dr. Gaye asked.
“Sir. It reads OADR (Originating Agency Determination Required).”
Damn! That wasn’t what I needed to hear. The Assessment had not been declassified. Major Lewis ordered the Military Policemen to take custody of me. They marched in and cuffed me.
I was too numb to process what was happening. I was a puppet and someone else was pulling the strings. This was a nightmare but I was living it.
“Thank you, Corporal. Have a nice day.” Dr. Gaye said as he watched me being cuffed and led away.
“No problem, Dr. Gaye. I have a question for Gunnery Sergeant Thompson, is he there?” the Corporal asked.
I was escorted back into the office to answer the Corporal’s question.
“Gunnery Sergeant Thompson here. What can I do for you, Corporal?” I asked.
“Gunnery Sergeant Thompson, what should I do with the extra copy you gave us?”
Boom.
The Lord is good. The Colonel ordered me uncuffed and dismissed me with a stern warning. I turned around to thank Dr. Gaye, but he was gone. He vanished like a ghost.
Chapter 30
Heart Breaker
18 March 1993
I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel; we were leaving this place in three days. The tents were shipped back before the troops. Most of us were so glad we were leaving we did not mind sleeping under the stars.
I knew this deployment would leave me with mental scar tissue. Nevertheless, I was going back home to a life of normality with my son. It was time to pick myself up and dust myself off.
It was Saturday morning and we were leaving Tuesday at 0800. There was one last mail pick up before we redeployed home. I volunteered to accompany Crocket on the mail run to the Port. We had a nice chat there and back. I really enjoyed her company. We were from two very different worlds but we connected. Talking to her made me feel normal because we both were dealing with our own issues during the deployment.
When I returned to the office, I discovered a note on my desk from Gunnery Sergeant George Folks. The name did not sound familiar at first, and then I remembered. It was a note from Gator. The note read “See Me.”
What could Gator want with me? He was on my shit list and I crushed the letter in my hand and threw it in the trash. However, the more I thought about it, the more curious I became. I needed to know what he wanted. I looked at my watch, it was almost 1600 hours. I decided to pay counterintelligence a visit.
I was apprehensive as I stood outside the green door waiting to be let in. Lieutenant Stein opened the door and escorted me to the conference area. He told me to wait there. Then he left.
Oh great. Now what. I thought as I sat alone waiting for…who knows.
After being left alone for about five minutes, Pritchard emerged from his cubicle. He had some rolled up papers under his arm.
“Gunny T, we just received adjudication regarding your application package. I thought I would tell you in person,” Pritchard said as he grabbed a chair and swiveled it around to face me.
I submitted the package with Major Lewis’ non- recommendation so I knew it would be disapproved. I didn’t know why I had to be told in person it was declined.
“Congratulations. Your package has been approved,” Pritchard said as he slapped me on the knee.
“What? No way. Major Lewis killed my package.” “You must be living right, Gunny T.,” Pritchard said as he handed me my approved package.
The first page was the endorsement for Headquarters Marine Corps INTC. The second page was the Team’s endorsement. The third page was an endorsement from the Deputy Director for MARFOR: Dr. Terrance Gaye.
I immediately had a flashback of a conversation with Dr. Gaye.
“I really don’t have time to take care of my own duties. The Deputy position would put an unnecessary strain on my workload. If they offer it to me, I will probably pass.”
I sprang out of my chair with the papers in my hand.
“Yes!” I yelled, elated and full of emotion.
My yelling caused other Team members to gather around to investigate the commotion.
“Gentlemen, meet our new OJT, Gunnery Sergeant Thompson,” Pritchard said as he stood next to me.
Someone tapped me on my shoulder. I slowly turned around. It was Gator.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m George,” Gator said. I was puzzled.
“I know who you are. You are Gator.”
Everyone started laughing hysterically, but I didn’t know why.
Pritchard doubled over in laughter before wiping the tears from his face. He explained.
“Gunny T, Gator is his role play name whenever we board someone new into the field. The role of Gator is to push the applicant to his limits as a mental test. We have lost our share of applicants because they can’t handle the Gator character. But, in our field, there are many officers and senior NCO’s who have Gator’s persona. Consider it an initiation.”
Gator (George) draped his arm around me and confessed.
“I hate playing Gator. I really suck at it.”
“No you don’t. It was an Oscar-winning performance. You pulled it off, convincingly,” I said.
“Gunny T., during our first meeting I thought you were going to slug me.”
“No, I wasn’t going to hit you. But the thought did cross my mind,” I laughed.
“Well, Gunny T., anything you need, and I mean anything, you let me know. Welcome aboard,” George said as he stood in front of me with a smile.
I couldn’t see him as a George, he didn’t look like a George. I would continue to call him Gator for years to come. Our paths would cross many times over the years.
After speaking with Pritchard, I found out everyone took turns playing the role of Gator and one day it would be my turn. I knew the role of Gator would not come naturally to me. But I had a good mentor to learn from.
As I left the Team, I decided to visit the armory and reclaim my 9mm pistol. I was back to my happy-go- lucky self, and it was nice. I owed so much to Dr. Gaye, and I knew there was no way to thank him for looking out for me even when I wasn’t looking. I don’t know if he took on the Deputy position to help me, but it was nice thinking maybe he did.
While I was in the armory line, I overheard several Marines talking about an incident on the camp. Everyone was talking about it. It must have happened while I was visiting counterintelligence. After I collected my weapon, I proceeded towards the Operations Center. On the way, I passed at least a dozen military policemen surrounding Dr. Gaye’s tent.
Major Lewis was in and out of Dr. Ga
ye’s tent bringing out his personal possessions. I went nuts. I feared the worst.
I charged through the crowd trying to get to the tent. While plowing through the line, I was bear- hugged from behind. It was Eric.
“Clay. Calm down. He’s gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?” I said as my eyes started welling up.
“They arrested him. He’s dirty. They got the goods on him. You don’t need to be here. Let’s go,” Eric said as he lifted me off the ground and removed me from the area.
I was like a kid at his father’s funeral wanting to see his father just one last time as the casket closed. I could not stop the tears from flowing no matter how hard I tried. Even when I finally could talk normally, the tears continued to flow. Eric stayed with me until I was settled. Apparently, military policemen found radios, large sums of money in different currencies and other pocket litter linking Dr. Gaye to some of Aidid’s men. Someone told me Major Lewis ordered the search. I could not see Dr. Gaye as a traitor no matter what evidence they had against him. The idea did not fit in my head. And it never would. The loss of such an influential person in my life during such a challenging time was heartbreaking. Dr. Gaye was gone.
Chapter 31
Divergence of Protocol
19-21 March 1993
The next morning was Sunday. I hardly slept. I kept thinking about Dr. Gaye and how much I trusted him. I experienced a range of emotions: sadness, anger and betrayal. I started to wonder if anything he told me was true. Was I played? I may never find out, but his arrest put serious doubt in my mind. It was hard for me to trust someone 100%. I let my guard down when I got married and my ex-wife’s departure left me with trust issues. I never thought I could feel so betrayed by a male. I wanted to be like him. I wanted to see him just one more time and ask him some direct questions.
Right after morning chow, I overheard Major Lewis contact the Joint Public Affairs Office. He wanted a press conference to talk about his success in capturing a spy. Based on what I could hear, the interview would be right after lunch in the MARFOR courtyard. Major Lewis would have his fifteen minutes of fame. But, as much as I despised him, he deserved it. I began wondering how the mood was at the Sixth Counterintelligence Team. I knew Major Lewis would make this a platform to assert his opinion that counterintelligence should fall under the purview of Military Police.