How a Marine Lost His Command in Race to Baghdad

This was an interesting article that involves unfolding the 18 hour, high-speed race into Baghdad, two weeks into the war in Iraq of Marine Colonel Joe Dowdy and his elite band of Iraqi troops (6,000) men. No praises awaited the first Marine regimental commander when he returned to the army station on April 4, 2003. He was stripped of his command, which immediately ended his 24 years of Marine profession. The dismissal wasn’t a normal act that was for discharge such as failing to complete a mission, or disobeying direct order, but rather it involved his decision based on a operating tempo. The reasons for the firing were convoluted because neither side wanted to discuss the outcome.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Colonel Dowdy admits to making mistakes, none of which (in my opinion) provided a valid for his removal. I’ve never been in a combat situation, so excuse me if I don’t understand the importance of following orders in a dire circumstance. But in an event of warfare, I would assume doing what’s best by using your intuition and logic would be the best choice of action under duress. His superiors confirm that he wasn’t ordered to take his regiment through the city. He decided no not to go through the city. Getting to Baghdad early wasn’t worth the risk and in the process, failed to take orders for his superiors. However, there was a lot of confusion regarding who gave permission to go or not go into the city. Colonel Dowdy makes a crucial decision, one that was against his orders but they made it through anyways.

I thought he seemed like a generous and nice person that opened his home (during Christmas) to the enlisted men in the Marines. His reputation preceded his actions in combat. One of his honorable traits was that he didn’t accept any privileges that were an entitlement unless the same was served to his men. It’s a shame that someone of his caliber was released unjustly on the basis that the Marines faulted him for “being fatigued beyond normal” and “not employing the regiment to its fullest combat potential.” Doesn’t appear to be a legitimate excuse.