Decorated Marine Sues Contractor

[douglas9]

Two months ago, Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama for his service in Afghanistan, the military's most prestigious award. On Monday, Sgt. Meyer alleged that a defense contractor has called him mentally unstable and a problem drinker, ruining his chances for a job in the defense industry

Sgt. Dakota Meyer alleges BAE Systems blocked him from a defense-industry job by claiming he is mentally unstable and has a drinking problem.

In legal papers filed Monday, the Marine claims that BAE Systems, where he worked earlier this year, retaliated against him after he raised objections about BAE's alleged decision to sell high-tech sniper scopes to the Pakistani military. He says his supervisor at BAE effectively blocked his hiring by another defense contractor by making the claims about drinking and his mental condition.

Sgt. Meyer's complaint is likely to pose a more difficult challenge for BAE, a British company with extensive U.S. operations, than a typical employment dispute. In the September White House ceremony, Sgt. Meyer was hailed for braving enemy fire as he tried to save the lives of fellow Marines who had been trapped in a Taliban ambush.

BAE said it would defend itself, but comments by BAE officials Monday made clear they don't want to be seen as denigrating a Medal of Honor recipient. "Although we strongly disagree with his claims, which we will address through the appropriate legal process, we wish him success and good fortune in his endeavors," said Brian J. Roehrkasse, a BAE spokesman. He declined to discuss any specifics of the suit.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204753404577066703457602304.html#

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Semper Fi, Sgt. Meyer, keep up the good fight. :patriot:

Thanks for the thread, douglas.

[NeedleCast]

2. I've watched this happen before

Security clearance since 9/11 (and even before) is a joke.

I know a person who has been convicted of multiple counts of domestic abuse and DUI who has had no trouble maintaining their clearance.
I know a person who was convicted of carrying cocaine from Columbia to the US, while on active duty in the Army, who has a top secret clearance.

I know a young man in the Navy who's clearance was pulled because his commanding officer didn't like him and he got a speeding ticket on the D.C. beltway (where everyone speeds).

It's a completely arbitrary system that is, more and more, being used as a weapon to control employees. So glad I am not working in defense anymore.

[msongs]

3. evidently congress persons aren't the only ones cashing in via the "defense" industry nt

[msedano]

4. No Veteran I know will support enemies

and Pakistan definitely is an enemy. Meyer acted completely honorably to object to a company selling technology to enemies who will use that kill or defeat US military.