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To the Editor:
In response to Daniel Harwood’s letter (Aug. 11), I would like to submit the following:
I can assure you that whatever Harwood’s allegations are, it appears they were made without much research. As far as rank goes, you will find a disparity in his belief that sheriff candidate Bill Cloud’s rank would prohibit him from handling much more than a coffee fund. I was Bill’s immediate supervisor (chief warrant officer) and made him accountable in the budget field because of his expertise in understanding and handling large sums of available (open ended) funds. The “high ranking” officer you refer to as being ultimately responsible for the large amount of funds dispensed, deferred to my judgment. This was war, friend.
I was the S-1 for a provisional battalion that was formed specifically for the readiness and deployment of single soldiers, groups of soldiers and entire units to Desert Storm. I, along with my counterpart from logistics, had the ear of the garrison and post commander and what we told them was pretty much law as to whether a soldier deployed or not. I was the mobilization officer for the state of Arizona of all reserve component units (42) which included three in California and three in Nevada. We had a lieutenant colonel as battalion commander who relied heavily on me and my assistant S-1 (Bill Cloud), and we were responsible for all information being fed (unless I did it directly) to the post and garrison commander. We were held in high esteem by our superiors and also by the units we worked with to make “battle ready.”
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As a young soldier Bill was responsible for more than $50,000 worth of battalion equipment needed to function (small amount but no small task) in addition to the amount of monies needed to ship entire units and equipment to Desert Storm. In my absence he had to fill in my position for briefings that included no less than a lieutenant colonel and up to the commanding general. The amount of responsibility he had as a funds manager and supervisory capacity was far above that of his peers and higher ranks. In selecting Bill for this duty as assistant S-1, I was given the latitude of selecting from a large group of more experienced and older soldiers, he stood out and received many accolades from my superiors.
I don’t know the capabilities that you or your “fellow service members” had, but in the all-volunteer Army rank did not signify judgment, ability, or education (school or experience). I hope someone else will set you straight on the DPS and why he was what he was in rank and supervisory responsibilities.
Mickie Davis
Chief warrant officer and Vietnam veteran
Hereford
Horrified wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:21 PM: