Acquitted Marine Raiders Face Loss of Badges Despite Not Guilty Verdict

-SOFX July, 4, 2023.

Despite being acquitted of manslaughter and negligent homicide charges in February 2023, Marine Raider Gunnery Sergeants Danny Draher and Josh Negron face potential removal of their Raider badges by Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) leadership. This follows a four-year legal battle, one of the longest courts-martial in Marine Corps history, over an incident in Erbil, Kurdistan, on New Year’s Eve, 2018, involving an altercation with an American civilian contractor.
 

Key Points:

1. Marine Raider Gunnery Sergeants Danny Draher and Josh Negron were accused, alongside Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet, of involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, obstructing justice, and violations of orders, stemming from a New Year’s Eve 2018 altercation in Erbil, Kurdistan.
2. After a lengthy legal battle spanning over four years, the accused were acquitted of all serious charges, but were found guilty of violating an order not to drink alcohol while in Iraq.
3. Despite their acquittal on serious charges, Draher and Negron were notified on June 12, 2023, of a recommendation for the permanent and involuntary removal of their Marine Special Operations Insignia, commonly known as a Raider badge.
4. Two dozen members of Congress submitted a signed letter to MARSOC Commander, Major General Matthew G. Trollinger, requesting that he exercise his clemency power to dismiss the felony charge. Trollinger responded that the felony conviction will stand.
5. Draher and Negron’s retirement dates, initially approved by the Marine Raider Regiment command, were unilaterally changed by Trollinger to September 2023, and there are concerns that they may be given a less than honorable discharge, which could reduce their retirement income significantly.

Source: https://taskandpurpose.com/opinion/marsoc-3-raider-badge/