National Guardsman wishes ‘toxic’ officers 'slow, painful death' in angry resignation letter

A longtime sergeant in the National Guard made his dissatisfaction with his superiors public, posting his incendiary resignation letter online, WSMV-TV reported.

"I don't think I was being disrespectful to the National Guard," said Sgt. Dennis Carter. "The National Guard has been very good to me. I think the individuals that are named, I do want people to know who they are, I want them to know what kind of leadership we're dealing with."

Carter blamed what he called the "toxic" leadership of the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment, which is based out of Lebanon, Tennessee, for a series of incidents that have brought scrutiny against National Guard detachments in the area, including a criminal investigation launched against members of the 775th Engineering Detachment for allegedly meeting with sex workers while working in Ethiopia and Djibouti.

He also cited a WSMV investigation this past February that determined that two state National Guard recruiters had been promoted despite being caught driving a recruit in a truck full of alcohol. One of the recruiters was charged with driving under the influence.

However, he said he was also "blackballed" for his social media activity, including a post showing him flipping off Camp Shelby, the site of National Guard Annual Training for Tennessee Guardsmen.

"What I posted on my personal Facebook page for my friends is my business," Carter said. "I did a good job, I did what I was supposed to do, I deployed to combat."

Carter said in the letter that he had his "sh*t pushed in" since returning to his regiment, arguing that his command sergeant major was "the worst excuse for a Senior NCO [Non-Commissioned Officer]" he had ever seen.

"His leadership is so substandard I doubt he could lead a kindergarteners to the playground, nor would they follow him," he wrote.

A National Guard spokesperson, Randy Harris, said that the report was "tabloid journalism," but did elaborate on its social media policy.

"We certainly do not police personal social media sites," Harris told WSMV. "When we are notified by our fellow members or persons outside of our organization of posts detrimental to the good order and discipline of the organization, we do review such posts, just as any organization would do."

Carter said that his letter was truthful but "humorous." However, it closes on an apparently angry note.

"I hope you all die a slow, lingering, painful death, preferably the day before you receive your first retirement check," he wrote. "F*ck you all and f*ck the 278th ACR."

The letter can be seen in its entirety below.

WSMV's report can be seen here.

[h/t Addicting Info]