Sgt Dakota Meyer

[Soot]

Be interesting to see how the latest installment of the Sgt. Dakota Meyer saga shakes out.

Decorated Marine Sues Contractor

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.

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.

Through a lawyer, Sgt. Meyer declined to comment on his suit. Representatives of the Pentagon and Marine Corps said they weren't aware of the suit.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

[SOTB]

Originally Posted by Soot

Be interesting to see how the latest installment of the Sgt. Dakota Meyer saga shakes out.

I agree. I'm surprised at BAE's actions, even if they are true (based on recent comments, I'm not going to be surprised if it is shown that Sgt Meyer has some of the issues mentioned -- although I certainly have not seen anything that demos evidence that he does, either).

No, to Me, the interesting issue is BAE and just simple HR practices. Really? You gonna put yourself out there in writing and block someone from getting a job elsewhere? Wow. I see blood in the water for a solid HR-focused lawyer. Of course, BAE might be of the opinion that their being a Brit company insulates them from lawsuits. Or that their ties to DC lobbyists protect them. Maybe. Sgt Meyer has certainly given them some ability to sway a jury -- ASSuming that it ever got to such a state.

It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Oh, and Sgt Meyer was correct to wonder aloud at why we are selling the fucking Pakis anything more technologically advanced than dirt....

[Soot]

Originally Posted by SOTB

Oh, and Sgt Meyer was correct to wonder aloud at why we are selling the fucking Pakis anything more technologically advanced than dirt....

Yeah, I agree.

And it's pretty clear that Sgt. Meyer marches to the beat of his own drum so even if it isn't standard corporate SOP I'm not surprised to see that he did.

But it seems like he made his objections, got blown off, pushed his objections, got blown off, and then decided to end his association with the company.

The article doesn't state, and at no point has it come to my attention (via the media), that Sgt. Meyer made his dissatisfaction with the policy known outside of the company (i.e. he wasn't publicly talking shit about BAE).

Seems kind of harsh for BAE to do what they did.

If the guy was a complete non-performer I could maybe see them saying, "Hey, you may wanna steer clear of the guy", but to go on the record stating that he's "mentally unstable and a problem drinker"?

You got more than an HR manager/first-line supervisor's opinion on that? Like maybe a psychiatrist's/psycologist's diagnosis?

I see BAE settling for $$$.

[SOTB]

Originally Posted by Soot

I see BAE settling for $$$.

Ditto....

[Spinner]

Originally Posted by SOTB

No, to Me, the interesting issue is BAE and just simple HR practices. Really? You gonna put yourself out there in writing and block someone from getting a job elsewhere? Wow. I see blood in the water for a solid HR-focused lawyer. Of course, BAE might be of the opinion that their being a Brit company insulates them from lawsuits.

I predict this will be settled out of court, although you are correct, the bigger and more troubling issue is the sale of this restricted technology to Pakistan.

[Silverbullet]

Please take any discussion about BAE selling equipment to Pakistan and the lawsuit to the Lounge thread.

[Guy]

Originally Posted by Silverbullet

Please take any discussion about BAE selling equipment to Pakistan and the lawsuit to the Lounge thread.

Stay safe.