jkwilliams Posted October 14, 2022 Posted October 14, 2022 (edited) https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/13/politics/us-citizen-donbas-ukraine-dead/index.html He had written out Alma 46:12 on his uniform. "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." https://www.facebook.com/dane.a.partridge Edited October 14, 2022 by jkwilliams 2
The Nehor Posted October 14, 2022 Posted October 14, 2022 9 hours ago, jkwilliams said: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/13/politics/us-citizen-donbas-ukraine-dead/index.html He had written out Alma 46:12 on his uniform. "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." https://www.facebook.com/dane.a.partridge Nice to see someone using the banner of liberty in an appropriate situation. Horrible to end that way. 4
Tacenda Posted October 15, 2022 Posted October 15, 2022 I'm in awe of this man, but I don't know if it was a good thing to do when he has a family. But feel bad for saying it.
BlueDreams Posted October 17, 2022 Posted October 17, 2022 On 10/14/2022 at 6:11 PM, Tacenda said: I'm in awe of this man, but I don't know if it was a good thing to do when he has a family. But feel bad for saying it. Yeah, that was my husband's thought....though he was far less judicious in his wording. Honestly I don't get it. And I struggle with this type of story where someone went and felt a need to be a superhero to a place and people he has no connection to, likely tied to some personal issues that never fully got squared away, and then died leaving 5 young children unnecessarily fatherless. It's sad, but it's not heroic to me There are other ways to support a good cause that doesn't include unnecessary risk and harm to not just oneself but others dependent on you. In another article that quoted his sister, there were hints that there may be other things that were concerning that they're sweeping under the rug to focus on his military heroism/good. It's just...weird. I would emphasize that I think Ukraine is feasibly one of the purist examples of the reasons for going to war outlined by the scripture alma 46:12. I'm all for supporting Ukraine. My issue is with a person who not only has no personal connection to said country's peace, freedom, people, or culture and plenty of connection and definite responsibility to protecting their own children in a different land....goes out of their way to protect the one while putting at risk the emotional and developmental health of another. That's not a healthy balance with supporting a good cause IMO. It's not an action I would do myself and it's not one I would be supportive of if it were one of my family members. I can understand why parts of his family are wanting to focus on what good he tried to be apart of though. Still it's not an action I'd personally condone. ::ends rant that would probably never sit right at any point in history:: 2
Tacenda Posted October 18, 2022 Posted October 18, 2022 20 hours ago, BlueDreams said: Yeah, that was my husband's thought....though he was far less judicious in his wording. Honestly I don't get it. And I struggle with this type of story where someone went and felt a need to be a superhero to a place and people he has no connection to, likely tied to some personal issues that never fully got squared away, and then died leaving 5 young children unnecessarily fatherless. It's sad, but it's not heroic to me There are other ways to support a good cause that doesn't include unnecessary risk and harm to not just oneself but others dependent on you. In another article that quoted his sister, there were hints that there may be other things that were concerning that they're sweeping under the rug to focus on his military heroism/good. It's just...weird. I would emphasize that I think Ukraine is feasibly one of the purist examples of the reasons for going to war outlined by the scripture alma 46:12. I'm all for supporting Ukraine. My issue is with a person who not only has no personal connection to said country's peace, freedom, people, or culture and plenty of connection and definite responsibility to protecting their own children in a different land....goes out of their way to protect the one while putting at risk the emotional and developmental health of another. That's not a healthy balance with supporting a good cause IMO. It's not an action I would do myself and it's not one I would be supportive of if it were one of my family members. I can understand why parts of his family are wanting to focus on what good he tried to be apart of though. Still it's not an action I'd personally condone. ::ends rant that would probably never sit right at any point in history:: Well, I like that you and your husband aren't afraid to tell it like it is.
Calm Posted October 25, 2022 Posted October 25, 2022 An older article about him https://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/dane-partridge-october-rexburg-veteran-of-the-month/article_1820674e-aea6-5b69-bdcb-2aad8404c123.html
Calm Posted October 25, 2022 Posted October 25, 2022 3 hours ago, Moneymaking said: Something isn’t right with this guy. According to the article he was a Private First Class when he got out of the army after six years of service. “Army spokesperson Matt Leonard. He held the rank of private first class at the end of his service, Leonard said.” probably a troublemaker. Quote After high school, Partridge served as a turret gunner and a driver of armored vehicles in Baghdad during the Iraq War, according to Matt Reeves, one of his sergeants. Reeves recalled him as a young man with a “bit of a temper” who quickly transformed into a “fine soldier” who would engage others in intellectual discussions about religion. Partridge separated from the military in 2012 with the rank of private first class, according to his father, Dennis Partridge. From the WP article… https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/13/dane-bird-patridge-ukraine-idaho-veteran/ Also https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/idaho-man-dies-while-fighting-as-volunteer-in-ukraine/2022/10/14/24faf1e2-4c17-11ed-8153-96ee97b218d2_story.html
Calm Posted October 25, 2022 Posted October 25, 2022 https://www.eastidahonews.com/2022/10/he-had-a-warriors-heart-local-mother-opens-up-about-her-son-killed-while-fighting-in-ukraine/ Quote “I asked Dane, ‘So why are you here? His answer was, ‘I knew I had the skills to help these people. I felt impressed like God wanted me to come and help. … I have made some good decisions and bad decisions in my life, some I am not proud of. … I feel it’s time I can be a better man! I know I can help these people!!” Chandler wrote.
Kenngo1969 Posted October 25, 2022 Posted October 25, 2022 (edited) I haven't read the links, so forgive me, but perhaps he saw his service in Ukraine as a way to set right an otherwise-checkered past in the military. I don't wish to minimize this young man's loss in any way. I'm sure his family and friends feel it keenly, and there is no possible way I could understand that or appreciate it fully. That said, I know from personal experience that sometimes it's tougher to wonder what cause or causes, exactly, one is living for than it is to die for a cause in which one believes. If I were to do the latter, as much as (I hope!) my family and friends would miss me and would mourn my loss, at least I'd have the satisfaction of knowing that I died for a good cause as opposed to living for ... Well ... who knows what? (If you have any idea(s) why I'm still here, let me know! I could use the enlightenment.) Edited October 25, 2022 by Kenngo1969 1
Calm Posted October 25, 2022 Posted October 25, 2022 (edited) From reading a few articles, it sounds like he imprinted on the military as home, where he belonged when a toddler (his dad was in the Air Force iirc and he spent his first few years in Germany at a base) and always saw himself in that way, signing on into the army right out of high school. Edited October 25, 2022 by Calm 2
Chum Posted October 25, 2022 Posted October 25, 2022 (edited) On 10/17/2022 at 1:12 AM, BlueDreams said: I would emphasize that I think Ukraine is feasibly one of the purist examples of the reasons for going to war outlined by the scripture alma 46:12. This war keeps reminding me how we (many of us, anyway) are descendants of invaders. I believe that fact is tied to our inconsistent sympathy for the invaded (eg:Tibet, indigenous peoples). Edited October 25, 2022 by Chum
Calm Posted October 26, 2022 Posted October 26, 2022 (edited) 14 hours ago, Moneymaking said: Reason I say that is it only takes 6-12 months to make PFC in the army. You don’t even put in for it it is automatic. 6 yrs service indicates legal troubles … lots of it additionally the min time of military service (mso) is 8 yrs. He only served six so probably got dishonorable discharge. Would he have been honored as a vet if dishonorably discharged? Sounds like he had a pretty quiet time. Quote He was part of the Division of Personal Security Detachment, Delta Company. He worked 24 hours on, 24 hours off, a week at a time. They were a quick reaction force doing whatever needed to happen. They were supposed to be the first to respond to medical or rescue operations. That was half the job. On their off week, they did missions, usually escorting anyone around Baghdad from privates up to government dignitaries. “We didn’t have a traditional battle job,” Partridge said. “We called ourselves the ‘Desert Taxi Service.’” They would pick up a warrant officer to take into the green zone, or a division combat calvary out to do some video or when they opened up a police station, they took officers to the ribbon cutting. “Pretty mundane,” Partridge said. “My squad was the only one that didn’t get shot at,” he said. “Every other squad got shot up or blown up. We got into a few hairy spots. How we got out of it, I don’t know. We didn’t the whole 15 months. Everyone else was doing 12.” Quote Another time they were on the lookout for a certain Mercedes and told to shoot on sight. “I’m a machine gunner! I get permission to shoot! After four hours my friend said, ‘I don’t think they are coming.’ I never got to shoot. That’s pretty sad,” he said. But, a true Eagle Scout, he was always prepared anyway. Partridge was born in Germany and then moved to Oklahoma while his father was in the Air Force. His parents divorced, and he moved to Rexburg with his mother, finally going to Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. After his tour in Baghdad, Partridge spent 10 months in Colorado and a few years at Fort Lewis Washington, with a month in Australia. He served until 2012. https://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/dane-partridge-october-rexburg-veteran-of-the-month/article_1820674e-aea6-5b69-bdcb-2aad8404c123.html Edited October 26, 2022 by Calm
Calm Posted October 27, 2022 Posted October 27, 2022 19 hours ago, Moneymaking said: I don’t know what you mean by “honored as a vet” if dishonorably discharged I linked above to an older article where he was veteran of the month for his community, it sounds odd if he had be dishonorably discharged. https://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/dane-partridge-october-rexburg-veteran-of-the-month/article_1820674e-aea6-5b69-bdcb-2aad8404c123.html
Calm Posted October 28, 2022 Posted October 28, 2022 13 hours ago, Moneymaking said: Not surprising when talking about a town where military service is an afterthought. There are like two people in Rexburg who know anything about the military. Dane and some ww2 vet. I’d like to see how they treated him when he joined the army instead of going on a mission. Likely treated him like crap. Back to the pfc thing. Find anyone who served in the army and ask them how someone finishes six years and exits as a pfc. I’ll give you some options for their response: ucmj (legal trouble) phy fitness failure repeatedly weight control problems thats about it. Legal is most likely. the only people I know who left as pfc were discipline problems. Dane googled has a pic of him graduating basic training. He was wearing pfc rank! Probably got that for being an Eagle Scout! No promotions at all for the next 5.5 yrs. problem child for sure esp when u consider promotion to next grade Is automatic so long as you show up to work and pass Phys fitness test. Interesting info. Makes for a complicated picture when linked to the stories of him only feeling at home in the military, wanting to see combat, and then apparently having a pretty quiet tour in Iraq. People are fascinating. Ah well, another unknown life story to add to my long list.
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 On 10/25/2022 at 4:37 AM, Moneymaking said: Something isn’t right with this guy. According to the article he was a Private First Class when he got out of the army after six years of service. “Army spokesperson Matt Leonard. He held the rank of private first class at the end of his service, Leonard said.” probably a troublemaker. Certainly not a troublemaker, which suggests ongoing performance issues, but most likely he had reached a higher rank, and for some misbehavior was busted back one or two ranks. If he hadn't made at least Specialist (E-4) by the end of his first enlistment, they wouldn't have even let him re-enlist for a second term. Six years of service suggests two enlistments of three years duration each, the second of which was sullied by a incident resulting in a reduction in rank. Or a four year hitch followed by a second four year hitch that got terminated early due to misbehavior. At the end of six years, he should have been at least a sergeant (E-5). That he was only E-3, he must have screwed up well and proper, but not bad enough for a less-than-honorable discharge, which would have been accompanied with being busted all the way back to buck private (E-1), with possible prison time, depending upon the misbehavior. 1
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 On 10/25/2022 at 6:09 PM, Moneymaking said: Reason I say that is it only takes 6-12 months to make PFC in the army. You don’t even put in for it it is automatic. 6 yrs service indicates legal troubles … lots of it additionally the min time of military service (mso) is 8 yrs. He only served six so probably got dishonorable discharge. The national service commitment is 8 years, yes, but depending upon one's contract, the actual active duty commitment can be as few as 2 years -- though I believe a minimum infantry contract is 3 years. It is not usual for the full national service commitment to be referred to when speaking of one's time in service. One normally refers to time spent on active duty, or active reserve duty, not "Individual Ready Reserve" duty. A dishonorable discharge normally involves reduction in rank to E-1 and frequently prison time. This appears not to have been the case. I'd say he got in trouble, but not a lot of trouble. 1
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 On 10/25/2022 at 6:31 PM, Chum said: This war keeps reminding me how we (many of us, anyway) are descendants of invaders. I believe that fact is tied to our inconsistent sympathy for the invaded (eg:Tibet, indigenous peoples). In my case I am a descendant of both invaders and the invaded. My Indian ancestors lived in Northern California when the Europeans came. One of my great great grandmothers, a Maidu woman, married an English-descended man from Vermont. So I can definitely sympathize with the invadeds. But it must be said, that except for those peoples who migrated into areas where previously no humans had ever lived, all of us are descended from invaders. Even my Indian ancestors were invaders: before the Maidu occupied the lands the Europeans found them in, there was an earlier group of Indians there who were either driven out by the Maidu, or who joined the Maidu when they arrived. 3
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 On 10/27/2022 at 6:40 PM, Moneymaking said: I never said he was dishonorably discharged I said he probably was. Zero promotions in six years is a strong indicator of a troubled soldier esp when promotion to the next higher grade is automatic. If he had been as poor a performer as you suggest, he never would have made it to a second enlistment. That's why I feel he had two 3-year enlistments, with a reasonably successful first hitch, but the second being marred by an Article 15 or two and a reduction in rank. Probably made E-4 at one point before screwing up. On 10/28/2022 at 6:58 AM, Calm said: Interesting info. Makes for a complicated picture when linked to the stories of him only feeling at home in the military, wanting to see combat, and then apparently having a pretty quiet tour in Iraq. People are fascinating. Ah well, another unknown life story to add to my long list. Four types of soldiers: Those who perform well in both garrison and field. Those who are useless in both places. Those who are great in garrison but useless in the field. And finally, those who are useless in garrison but excel in the field. A dischargee with PFC after 6 years sounds like a #4. I'd like to see his ribbon bar. But I probably won't. 1
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 2 minutes ago, Moneymaking said: Well either way, when he left active duty he wasn’t missed. Not a sergeant in the infantry after 6 yrs … most service was during wartime when he served he could easily have made sgt after 3 or so. not a leader and def got in trouble or never made it past PFC because he couldn’t show for even a minimum amount of time he is reliable. the kind of trouble it takes to be reduced in grade is typically the following: Drinking or drunk on duty disobeying orders sleeping on duty insubordination adultery bringing a hooker in the barracks dui / dwi assault striking a superior missing movement desertion /awol None of those things are “not a lot of trouble.” one must also consider the army is very forgiving as they are more likely to resort to off the books corrective measures to protect the soldier’s ability to continue in their progression as the supervisors want to help them. When it ends up being a grade reduction ( field grade article 15) then either they messed up so bad they couldn’t protect him from the chain of command or they were so sick of his antics they threw him to the wolves. When I was a sergeant I did the same thing and I was trained that way in regards to dealing with discipline issues. during my four year stint I messed up and could easily have been reduced in grade. My sergeant major told me the only reason I was being given a pass was my conduct didn’t impact the organization , the mission and that I have been a consistent and reliable leader while assigned to the battalion. He did revoke my service award for the tour, but otherwise I was cut a break. I can confidently say if I had remotely been a problem child there I would have been a pfc too. They always consider your overall character of service when doling out discipline. There is leadership roulette but I have never seen any egregious cases of it. my issue was alcohol consumption during duty hours. At the conclusion of my overseas tour, I was assigned to transient barracks and finished my admin clearance from the overseas installation. I had no duty requirements and was leaving the next morning on a plane. All I had to do was sign my leave slip in the am. It was before six pm and I was watching tv and drinking beer in my room when the sergeant major stopped by to say goodbye to me and make sure I was all good to go. I was but I was intoxicated. Given the circumstances and my history with them he decided to let it go. I thought for sure I’d be busted but … guess not. I was no super soldier but I was very reliable and got the job done and did it well. Everyone I know who left service as an e-3 (pfc) was a problem child. It is almost impossible not to make e-4 or even e-5 sergeant if you have your act together after six years. The lower enlisted ranks are super high in turnover so you see it a lot. I agree with much of what you say, but unless things have changed, the Army has an "up or out" policy that requires reaching certain ranks by the end of particular times in service. If he hadn't hit E-4 by the end of his first hitch I believe he would have been given a bar to re-enlistment, and thus would never had made it to six years. Especially in the infantry, which typically promotes quicker than other branches. For example, as an 11C (Infantry mortar crewman) I had been promoted to SGT E-5 and was a mortar squad leader before I had three years time in service. This was because a mortar section in a straight-leg line company at that time, with 27 personnel, needed 8 E-5s to be at full strength. Three squad leaders, three forward observers, and two FDC computers. The T.O.&E. has changed radically since then -- this was back in the 1970s. I got promoted in the secondary zone because the Army's requirements in that MOS was great. And I wasn't unusual. One of my fellow new SGTs had just as little time in service as I did. Our dear-departed volunteer was most likely an 11B, which might not promote to SGT as quickly as 11C, but as you know, there are more E-4s in the Army than any other rank. Anyway, I'd bet real money that he made it to E-4 before being busted for one of the "reduction in rank" eligible infractions you mention. But if he had been a constant screwup during his first hitch, he would never have been allowed to re-enlist for a second. Unless things have changed drastically since I last wore camo. Just my opinion. And keep in mind that much has changed since I left active duty back in 1983. So I could easily be completely wrong.
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 18 minutes ago, Moneymaking said: As for your four categories of soldiers mostly true except for number four. To excel in the field you have to do much of the same things as if in garrison even in the infantry. I’d even argue one needs more discipline to survive in the infantry than most other MOSs specifically because it it mentally and physically exhausting and problem children do not excel in that environment. It isn’t just about firing and maneuvering on the enemy, it is maintaining your weapons: equip, it is about planning, rehearsals, not eating, not having enough water, being hot, freezing, being in pain, doing many tasks which on their face appear to be stupid. Bottom line someone who performs well in the field normally is very disciplined. It’s hard to maintain your bearing when subject to those conditions for days and weeks on end. Field training in infantry units is generally a week or two at a minimum…, rarely an overnighted. Garrison is easy. In terms of combat arms (never in actual combat thank goodness) I served as a mortar squad leader and an artillery fire support team leader (forward observer). Most of my guys were at least adequate in both garrison and field. One was a bit of a lazybones in garrison, but a star in the field. He loved and was very good at directing artillery fire and was very reliable when things needed to be done, but had a mind of his own when it came to make-work crap we sometimes had to do. Another one was a problem child in garrison (he loved doobies), but a man you wanted next to you if you were ever in real danger -- this one was a Vietnam vet with a few years break in service before enlisting again. He was a true combat infantry vet with a Silver Star. A tough one in the field, looked good in dress uniform and when he put his mind to it his military bearing was excellent. But oh, how I wanted to give him to someone else during peacetime.
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 6 minutes ago, Moneymaking said: Generally soldiers are barred from reenlistment for failure to advance is e-4 at conclusion of 8 yrs . I think things were different when I was in. In my day, if you hadn't reached E-4 after 4 years they didn't want you any longer. 6 minutes ago, Moneymaking said: as for art 15 it is TWO field grade art 15s.. ha man you really have to mess up lol. It has changed since I was in. Generally it was one if not kick you out altogether. I just read up a bit on "bar to continued service", and I think he may have been in his second enlistment when he managed to get a couple of field-grade Article 15s, and they bounced him out early as you suggest. Anyway, it's pure speculation.
Stargazer Posted November 12, 2022 Posted November 12, 2022 13 minutes ago, Moneymaking said: Yep they are out there except drug use is not tolerated at all. Even when I was in during late 80s they dumped you quick for smoking dope. My brother was in during early 70s until 1982??? Smokin weed was often done publicly and oddly enough that was in 4ID where this soldier in the article hails from. That div has always been a mess. It wasn't tolerated in my outfit either (9th Inf Div), but my supersoldier was very cagey about not getting caught. I knew he was doing it, sometimes in the barracks, but he was being clever. But that kind of cleverness eventually runs out, and I'm just glad I wasn't the one to end his streak. I liked him, and heaven knows he was one gutsy individual. His Silver Star was from saving his patrol by judicious use of an M60 machine gun while they were all pinned down in an L-shaped ambush. Single-handedly broke the ambush.
Bernard Gui Posted November 13, 2022 Posted November 13, 2022 (edited) On 10/27/2022 at 1:40 PM, Moneymaking said: I never said he was dishonorably discharged I said he probably was. Zero promotions in six years is a strong indicator of a troubled soldier esp when promotion to the next higher grade is automatic. My dad was busted from corporal to private but exited as a technical sergeant in WW2. He was stationed in Los Alamos as military support for the Manhattan Project. He was not happy to be there because he had signed up to fight, not to babysit guys in white coats and suits. The soldiers did not know what was going on until the bombs ended the war. Edited November 13, 2022 by Bernard Gui 1
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