Ex-GI describes running bootlegging ring in Iraq

[Louisiana1976]

If Beau Lejeune wanted to make a splash by writing his first book, he picked a potentially self-destructive way to do it.

The 26-year-old Port Sulphur native has written a self-published tell-all claiming that he was a crooked soldier during his tour of duty in Iraq, an uncontrollable punk who ran a lucrative alcohol ring, abused drugs and engaged in rampant sex with female soldiers on a U.S. military base, right under the noses of either complicit or incompetent commanders, and got away with it.

He also admits he tried to cover up a felony weapons heist by fellow soldiers and got away with that, too.

"Desert Dons: The Truth Behind the Young Soldiers Who Turned Iraq from Chaos to Cartel" has some earmarks of a publicity stunt or even a hoax. Except for himself, Lejeune uses aliases for everyone else in the book.

But military officials in Louisiana and Washington have confirmed several of the book's central claims, including that Lejeune served as a medic in the Louisiana National Guard's 1-244th Aviation Battalion, was deployed to Iraq, was cited several times as an insubordinate troublemaker and was eventually arrested for his role in the theft of weapons from a U.S. armory on Balad Air Base, north of Baghdad.

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http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1260339651275440.xml&coll=1

[NightWatcher]

1. tale as old as time.... soldiers in theater have always made money off contraband

[951-Riverside]

2. Women should not be allowed to serve in the Military until changes are made

I've read far too many stories of women being raped while serving bravely, something has to change.

The Military is like a state prison with 6000 male prisoners and 100 female prisoners packed together.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Blaming the victims, eh?

How about they get to serve as long as they wear burqas?

[951-Riverside]

6. No of course not.

Would you rather have women serve and be pressured into committing sex acts or even raped?

No matter how you spin it women are treated horribly in the Military especially the Army. This has to be addressed not ignored.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. This might sound crazy, but I'm in favor of prosecuting rapists.

I'm not going to punish women by not letting them make up their own minds about whether or not they want to enlist.

[quiller4]

9. I favor prosecutions of rapists, enlisted or not, but I do not favor

restricting a woman's career choices because she may encounter sexual pressure. Let women make their own choices. I know many female vets who would gladly fight you to preserve their right to serve.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. That is not blaming the victims - it is actually trying to protect them,

something the military apparently has little interest in doing.

Now, if the command were to vigorously pursue investigations of rapes and assaults, defend the published protocols and bring down severe punishments on those violating them, maybe these incidents would stop.

[quiller4]

10. They don't want your protections at the expense of their opportunity.

[C_Lawyer09]

11. What the hell are you talking about?

This hearsay comparing the military to a state prison is garbage, as is your assertion that "the military" doesn't agressively pursue and prosecute rapists and other criminals. If you are going to engage in mass generalizations and slander an entire organization, I'm wondering if you care to show some statistics? I'm also wondering if you're aware that Soldiers can't join if they are a sex offender, a domestic violence perpatrator, or have been convicted of almost any serious crime against a person. I also want you to know, that ever since Tailhook, in the 1980's, Soldiers attend mandatory quarterly training on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) are briefed on whistle blower protection, and a whole host of other like classes. There is 0 tolerance for that type of thing, and I assure you, justice is swifter, and usually more stiff than in the civilian sector. Locally, there was a story in Mondays paper, about jail overcrowding, and rapists being released. The command, from the Company level up, investigates quickly and vigorously, especially in todays Army. Further, it is rare that a DUI recipient, or a first time urinalysis offender is allowed to stay in the ranks. A few days ago, it was attacks on vets teaching on the troops to teachers program, today it is this garbage. Bring whatever facts you want to the table. If you are correct, I'll gladly eat my words.

[Lance_Boyle]

5. This story doesn't say word one about any rape. n/t

[C_Lawyer09]

12. Should women be allowed to be civilians until changes are made

Rapists are let out early continually because of that dumbass three strikes legislation that fills our prison space with non-violent offenders. BTW, your numbers are extremely skewed. Fact check yourself before making anybody suffer through your lies.

[Ghost in the Machine]

3. Those stolen weapons wind up in the hands of gangs back here in the States...

I know that for a fact.... the Aryan Brotherhood had members smuggling guns and ordnance out during the first Gulf War, and I'm sure it continues to this day. The Bloods, Crips and a few other notorious gangs have members embedded in the military also.. just for this purpose, along with getting the military training..