Dan T. Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNWZic251BF9TAzI1NjY0ODI1BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-tillman-promotion&prov=ap&type=lgns PHOENIX (AP) -- Pat Tillman was promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal after the former NFL player was killed while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan. "The Army always notes that rank and promotion are not a reward of what was done well, but a recognition that you have the potential to do more,'' Army spokeswoman Martha Rudd said Thursday. "This promotion is essentially saying he would have been a fine leader.'' Tillman, who walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army in 2002, was killed April 22 when the Army patrol was ambushed near the Afghan-Pakistani border. Rudd said the promotion for Tillman was lateral, meaning that while the position indicates increased responsibility and leadership, the pay scale remains the same. Rudd said it will not affect any benefits Tillman's family receives. Both ranks are E4, or the fourth rank available for enlisted soldiers. Although Tillman never publicly offered reasons for his decision, several friends have said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks affected him deeply. Tillman was the first NFL player killed in combat since Buffalo offensive tackle Bob Kalsu died in the Vietnam War in July 1970. Nineteen NFL players were killed in World War II. The Cardinals have said they will retire Tillman's No. 40 and name the plaza surrounding the team's new stadium in suburban Glendale the Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prophet Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 I will always remember him a true american hero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skin_finatic Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 a true hero for american and someone that you can look up to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyRules Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Man of the Year! May he rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschlesi Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Someone needs to send the little ****tt writer from Amherst that said "Tillman had it coming and got what he deserved" over to Afghanistan. http://www.thebostonchannel.com/education/3250246/detail.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chosen Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 I'm curious if this type of posthumous promotion is common amongst soldiers. I don't know how I would feel if I was part of the family of one of the many fallen soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq upon hearing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 In this case it's common. Going from SPC to CPL is common and as the article states is indicative of leadership traits. It wasn't done by "the Army" as in at the Pentagon, they can't do that. It was done by his Company Commander. Q: If he was qualified to hold that rank and position, why wasn't he promoted beforehand? A: Quite simply, the slot was probably already filled. The Ranger Regiment is one of the few units authorized to be over strength. While I don't know what they're authorized for E4s, I know for sure that they are usually at 125% for Captains. The CO CDR can't promote a soldier to CPL until there is a hole to fill, a vacancy. Since promoting him to CPL doesn't add an additional Corporal to the unit, the Company Commander can do it. Again, as the article states, it's no new increase in pay but rather responsibily. It's recognition of his leadership potential. We promote (rank) on potential. We award (medals) on performance. He goes as an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) as opposed to a junior enlisted man. It's just a case of the Rangers Taking Care of their own. He'll be buried wearing stripes rather than not. Trust me, the Regiment throws around promotions like manhole covers. If he got it, he deserved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skin_finatic Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Originally posted by jschlesi Someone needs to send the little ****tt writer from Amherst that said "Tillman had it coming and got what he deserved" over to Afghanistan. http://www.thebostonchannel.com/education/3250246/detail.html what a fricken @$$hole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.