"I Will Continue To Do My Job"

I'm still following the story of Air Force MSgt. Bradley Behling and his tribulations with PODS after they mistakenly sold all his stuff while he was in Iraq. He has updated me, and things appear to be moving forward, but I cannot share the details with you. This case is a delicate legal dance, and any more media exposure could blow it. Please continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Some of you have been following the comments in the last update, in which an anonymous poster challenged MSgt. Behling's character and wondered whether he actually earned his Bronze Star. I have the sergeant's response, which he has allowed me to post here:

To Anonymous,

I am sorry that you feel the need to attack my character. I guess the fact that you chose to remain anonymous shows your character.

I know exactly how people feel about me at my last job. I often get calls from them for advice or invites to group functions.

My ex wife is a good person, and we are great friends- she has testified for me on my behalf. I doubt that if I was a gambling degenerate liar she would have done that. I was able to pay for everything that I had to replace from savings, and investments. If my "gambling problem" was so severe I doubt I would have had the means to do that.

You ask for proof all I can to is write about my time there Any of these facts are easily verifiable in my squadron.

February ‘06 a tasking came down for a 1st Sgt to deploy with the cops to Iraq, since they are my folks anyway I thought it would be a good experience, my commander didn’t want to let me go because of the crap going on with my soon to be ex at the time. I convinced him and he let me go.

March-May we went through the Army “prepatory course” for Convoy operations, Urban Terrain Combat scenarios, Local confrontations, and detainee ops. All of this because we were filling an ILO mission (In-Lieu-Of) the Army did not have enough people to send to this area, so it fell to us. We could not go until we had completed this training. I established myself during this time by doing everything that the “kids” did taking no advantage of my rank and position to include being pepper sprayed and running the combat course. At the end of training the kids collected over $500 for me and bought me this beautiful shadow box that said “MSgt Brad Behling Army Qualified 1st Sgt You are the corner stone of our morale” and $300 in “Gucci gear” to go over my flack vest. It was very moving.

We came back for 10 days around Memorial Day, and on 2 June we departed for the AOR and landed in Kuwait for 10 more days of training in desert conditions.

We Arrived in Camp Bucca on the 14th of June, change of command on the 17th. We fell in on 65 additional troops that were staying for another 4 months, and cops being cops I was concerned that they would not mesh well, but as all things when it comes to my professional life it worked out fantastic and they became quick teachers and friends to all of my cops.

The 30th of June an Airman from the 886th (our sister squadron) was shot by a 9mm from some kid messing around. 98% of the time where the bullet went in it goes straight through and he gets a painful reminder, this time it clipped his right shoulder bone and cut 45 degrees through his body severing a major artery on the way out his left side. There was nothing anyone could have done.

While our units responded to the crime scene I got two kids in my office both named Ryan, both 19. They were in the same barracks when their friend was shot. They were of course hysterical and I did my best to calm them down getting them some water and talking to them about their time in the desert and what they had accomplished during their time there, consoling them about their friend and telling them that the hospital there was above reproach.

After I calmed them down I went to the crime scene, they were taking him out and while still alive at the time I knew it looked grim. I found the other 1st Sgt Frank Guzman standing with CID getting asked a hundred questions he did not have the answer to. I got him out of there and let CID do their job.

When I returned to my office I found the two Ryan’s much calmer, and I did not elude as to the condition of their friend. CID finished up in the crime scene and came and spoke to the two Ryan’s in turn, Frank returned to the scene to clean up the blood once it was released. I found out that Carl had died about an hour and a half later. No one knew what to do with him because we were Air Force, so I had to dust off my mortuary hat, and start the paperwork and help them prep the body.

Arrangements were being made to pick him up and the two kids had still not been told that their friend was dead, so I went to the leadership of the 886th, and talked to their Operations Superintendent-SMSgt Hoffstetter I said “You can tell them or I can tell them but I do not want them over hearing that their friend is dead.”

The Senior said he had told someone once and he would never do it again, I said “That is fine I respect that, I think it is important to see someone from their leadership however so will you at least stand with me while I do it.”

That was the longest hallway on the planet that day. When I walked in I pulled my chair from around the desk and said. “Guys, there is no easy way to say this but Carl died a short time ago.” They fell to pieces. “There is nothing I can say to make you feel any better right now, but there are 8 other people standing outside needing your strength, and need to know you are going to be OK.” The chaplain gathered the other members of that squad and they were out there waiting on them. Frank stayed with them while I went to lodging and arranged movement of everyone in that trailer out to an empty one, I dropped the keys and the completed copies of the mortuary paperwork off with Frank and went back to my room and cried for 20 min.

The next day a Services mortuary team arrived and I assisted them in re-packing the head with ice, sealing him in the container, and getting the flag on. We drove him around the base once. It was moving as everyone stopped and saluted as we drove by. Two helicopters lifted off that day one with Carl, and the other with a 21 year old who was facing murder charges.

As we walked away from chopper pad I ran into one of the Ryan’s put my hand on his shoulder and asked how he was holding up. He said “I’ll be ok sir; and sir if no one else says it, thanks for getting him home to his family.”

I teared up at that, here this kid had just lost a good friend and he was thanking me, shows his character.

MSgt. Behling also shared this story involving his squadron, even though he was not on this particular convoy:

We are coming up on the year anniversary of an IED attack that blew up Brandon Byers he lost a chunk of his left hand and his left leg was filled with shrapnel. We were returning from escorting a convoy to Kuwait when we were struck. IED (Improvised Explosive Device) sorry I speak in acronyms:-). This particular type of IED was called an EFP. (Explosively Formed Projectile) it’s small copper plates that form in to “bullets” as the explosion happens. They sliced through the hummer like a knife through warm butter. “Fortunately” he was the only one seriously hurt in the attack; a couple of others were grazed by flying metal. He was medevac’d (choppered) out to Camp Arifjan where they did as much as they could for him. That was a long week. Sitting with him catching barf and trying to get him prepared for the next chapter in his life. He is still here and has had several surgeries to his hand. It can move, and he has some feeling in it. Amazing some of the things doctors can do now a day.

After it is all said and done I came to the realization that no one is guaranteed a tomorrow, and we need to make the most of today. The petty things in my life don’t even register anymore, and I am far more content with my lot in life.

The cops love me and they all feel cared for, I have 370 of them and I know all of their 1st names, and most of their spouses and children’s names. Amazing how far that goes.

So to Anonymous I say think of me what you will. I know what really matters in this life. It is not Bronze Stars- I personally would have had that young man live and come back with nothing. The fact that my leadership saw fit to submit me for that award is humbling.

Your opinion of me is just that and if there was anything constructive in your criticism of my character I failed to see it.

I will continue to do my job and be there for my Airmen both here and where you are.

MSgt Bradley Behling
99th Security Forces 1st Sgt