Criticizing maintenance got airman ousted: IG

[unhappycamper]

Thrown out and fighting back
Staff sgt. criticized quality of A-10 maintenance.


Criticizing maintenance got airman ousted: IG
By Seamus O’Connor - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jan 18, 2008 7:08:09 EST

By all accounts, Adam Lucero was a hard-charging airman. When he didn’t make it into a summer camp for the Air Force Academy, he enlisted at age 17 through the Delayed Entry Program and had his staff sergeant rocker by the time he was 21.

But Lucero, now 24, dreamed of going to Officer Training School and earning his pilot wings, so he poured himself into his work and studies, hoping he could one day fly the fighter jets he maintained at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

That same passion, drive and singleness of purpose may have led to his downfall. When he discovered what he considered to be unsafe maintenance practices by his squadron co-workers, and was unable to get the support he sought from his superiors, he started going directly to pilots to tell them the planes they were flying were unsafe. For 18 months, he pushed his complaints despite his leaders’ opposition. Finally, in July 2006, he was forced out of the Air Force.

The 11th Air Force Inspector General’s Office and Defense Department IG have concluded Lucero’s commanders engaged in reprisals against him. What remains unclear is whether another, ongoing investigation will clear his name and let him rejoin the service.

In the meantime, he’s selling trucks in Fairbanks.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/airforce_whistleblower_lucero_080117w/

[fasttense]

1. That's what happens when you promote loyalty over performance.

The sniveling incompetent gets the job while the hardworking intelligent person gets fired. In the meantime, whatever job you have assigned to the loyal guy goes down the drain, and in the case of life and death requirements, taking a few lives with it.

[MADem]

2. This is a case to watch... nt

[Alaska.Pilot]

3. This story is about me!

Thank you for your kind comments; it's amazing how narrow minded some people can be. I have caught so much flak for "bucking the system" and not believing the system is perfect. Stay tuned for more! The highest levels of the Pentagon are involved and should be concluded shortly!

Adam