Right now I am so furious and sick and I need some serious advice and help. The phone call I got from my son at Ft. Hood last night when we talked for an hour? I thought everything was cool. NOT!!! Later on I received another call from my son, who initially was not going to tell me wtf was going on. He knew I'd recently been hospitalized with cancer and a blood clot, which I told no one about but Ivy, and my son did not want to upset me.

This was my son when he went into the Army @ 18...against my wishes, but he made the decision on his own.



And this is my son as of yesterday after being jumped on by 10 of his fellow soldiers.







He went across Ft Hood to his friends barracks. He said he was just going to visit his friend who joined the Army with him, and these guys were drinking and sitting around, and one of them said my son "looked" at him funny. Then threw a beer can at my son. My son, Gabriel, picked it up and threw it back, and all 10 of these idiots jumped at once. They were ALL WHITE!!! So, I'm wondering if it was racially motivated.

He says they also jumped someone else the same day. Is this some sort of fucking gang or something???? He says when the MP's came they all ran. Gabriel told me they are conducting an investigation. But I'm not waiting for that. This is bullshit. Of course I know my son, and there's probably more to the story, but even so, 10 guys jumping on one is fucked up.

He said they had to do a CAT scan, and he thinks his jaw is fractured because he can't eat. He's also having bad headaches. He doesn't even remember if he was unconscious.

WTF kind of army do we have where soldiers jump on each other??? I mean, I can see a fight every now and then, one on one, or even two on one, but 10 damned soldiers jumping on one of their own????? What the fuck happened to honor????

I need advice...I know renegade is in the military, and I'd like to know what the best course of action is. Who should I contact? His CO? All I know is I am calling that base tomorrow and someone better tell me something. I am raising so much fucking hell. I know my son is a man, but fuck this. He could have been killed. I'm sitting here thinking..."Oh, as long as they don't send him to Iraq, he'll be ok..." YEAH RIGHT....

He's not even safe on his own damned base???? I'm so glad he took pics, and I told him to take some more. I just need to know what I CAN do. Since he is 18, can I do anything???? I want to press charges on these cowardly fucking bastards. I mean, I'm thinking the Army might tell Gabriel NOT to say anything or try to get some action taken. So, what are my options? Can he get leave to come home???

OMG I AM SOOOOO ANGRY>
[Edited 4/13/08 11:11am]

Oh my God!! April, I am so sorry.

Holy shit I'm so sorry that this happened to your son. I hope someone can help you

First talk to his first sergeant, or in the Army they call them "Gunnys"

Demand immediate action--the offending soldiers can be jailed, stripped of rank, or expelled from the military for this behavior--it's illegal.


If you get no reaction from the First shirt or Gunny, each base has an inspector general--contact that office. Every base, Army, Air Force, or Marines, has an operator line that can get you where you want. You can even insist on being anonymous with the inspector general.


This can and should be handled immediately.

Yikes, I'd say contact his Commanding Officer. Its going to be rough for him either way but the Officer will step it up and address your concerns.

OMG! I'm so sorry, cant even imagine how you must be feeling

Thanks Ivy and Jess. I mean,,,,,fuck,,,,,he could have stayed in Chicago for this shit. He's over 1000 miles from me and I feel so helpless. They better not even think I'm letting this slide.

Imago said:

Thank you so much, Dan. I will do that immediately. I swear if they try to sweep this away, there will be hell to pay.

noimageatall said:

You can also call the Security Police on base if you names, etc.

I grew up as an Air Force Brat.

When I joined the Navy, then married a sailor, we saw things starting to happen that just shocked me.

Drug dealing from the barracks, drive-by's at the barracks etc. Just an overall increase in illegal activities that people use to join the military to escape/avoid.

I'm so sorry this has happened to your son. Sorry, I can't be of any more help than that. As to what he should do, I don't even know how it works anymore. I've been out 16 years now. It involved military personnel on a military facility, I don't know if he can bring up civilian charges should nothing be done by the MP's.

To you and your son. Again, I'm so sorry this has happned to your son.

noimageatall said:

Imago, in a perfect military, that would be the exact way to handle it, but unfortunately, we do not have a perfect military.

I will say, that WHATEVER route you choose to go in regards of seeking justice, keep three things in mind: #1 The system will be resistent to you, so know the system. #2 Be prepared to hurry up and wait for every damn thing you pursue #3 It's worth repeating...KNOW THE SYSTEM...they will not volunteer ANY information to you, whether you're entitled to it or not.

Nothinbutjoy said:

having spent 8 years in it myself, and grown up a military brat, I agree.

But that's the route you pursue. You can't expect every cop on the street to be clean either, but if you're robbed, call the police.

Nothinbutjoy said:

Thank you, NBJ. I have been reading a lot lately about the "new rules" for recruiting. They basically bypass any criminal record and sign up many who shouldn't even be in the military. My son had one incident from HS when he got caught with a little weed. No criminal record, but he told me when he first went to basic training at Ft Jackson that there were gang-bangers and people who had armed robbery charges there. I was like.... I have learned a lot about the military from him that I didn't have a clue about. And it's not good.

Hell, the recruiter even told Gabriel how to fool the drug test. Fruit pectin, anyone?

Imago said:

That explains so much!!

And in all seriousness, you are correct.

noimageatall said:

omg. wish it wasn't so.
thank goodness he told you.
knowledge is power. and with \
everything you have been through...
girl, you are so strong.

Nothinbutjoy said:

If they don't talk to me or tell me what I want to know..if they do not tell me that something is going to be done to these assholes, then there is always youtube and the media. SOMEONE better talk to me.

noimageatall said:

That has been happening forever!! You could avoid jail by joining the military when my dad joined in the early 1960's. There has always been criminal activity in the military, but IMHO, the level was contained to just enough to benefit the military and it was definately keep quiet. Now, it's just there, loud and proud.

Hell, when I was in the military, I was a psych tech. I worked on an inpatient mental health floor at a Navy hospital and one of the marines I worked with SIGNED HIS ENLISTMENT PAPERS, in a civilian psychiatric facility.

noimageatall said:

That's EXACTLY the type of attitude you HAVE to have.

I am very sorry .

im sorry

Nothinbutjoy said:

They do not know who I am when I am angry and it involves my children. I do know about people being signed up even with records. My uncle was in the Air Force for over 20 years, and had gotten in trouble with the law before deciding to join. But I swear I don't remember you being able to have a felony. Now, it's like they're just signing anyone.

Thanks Eric and serious.

So sorry April.

emm said:

I'm so glad he told me too. He didn't want to. And in between being so angry I could break bricks, I just want to hug him and tell him it will be ok. He may be 18 and a man, but he will always be my "Bumpers." He was born in the ambulance. Never made it to the hospital. That's how he got the nickname. This year was the first birthday of his that I didn't get to give him a party.

No matter how old your children get, that "mother" instinct still kicks in when they hurt. Since he joined the Army, he's always tried to be "the man" and act all brave. When I talk to him on the phone, he's like..."I'm ok. I love the Army. I don't mind getting up at 4am. It's hot as hell, but I can take it."

But, yesterday, I could tell in his voice that this was not what he signed up for. He paused for about 30 seconds, his voice got very quiet, then he said, "Mom, I just want to come home." I just wanted to

I had to boost him up. I had to say.."Son, this is nothing compared to being in Iraq.-----Son, it will clear up soon.----Son, don't worry. Those guys will get what they deserve." Knowing all the time that if I had my way, he would never even be there.

im so sorry to hear this.. i will pray for you

that's horrible... prayfully you'll get some guidance and justice.

noimageatall said:

I'm so sorry! I can't even begin to imagine!

oh my god, i seriously hope they nail those assholes to the fucking wall. that's horrible. hope he gets better quickly.