Editorial Page by  the Editor of                        December 18,2011

           A closer look at BAE systems--the accuser of Sgt. Dakota Meyer- a MOH Hero

                      and just what that company represents.  

Some interesting facts about the company, BAE systems, that accused MOH recipient Sgt Dakota Meyers of "Mental instability" and a drinking problem. This accusation cost Sgt Meyer a job and darkened the image of this hero. Let's take a look at his accuser (BAE systems and OASYS) and THEIR record. Its time all this came into to the public's eye and some answers obtained.

BAE is one of the world's largest defense contractors. They are British owned but operate several facilities in the USA. One of these USA facilities is OASYS based in San Antonio Texas. This was the source of the controversy that involved Sgt. Meyer. When he learned that his employer was about to send and possibly sell, highly precision thermal scopes to Pakistan, he sent a letter, an email to his boss BOBBY McCreight  in the San Antonio office explaining; "We are taking the best gear, the best technology on the market to date and giving it to guys that are known to stab us in the back". Obviously, Meyer was concerned that any delivery to anyplace in Pakistan could result in his brother marines being in the crosshairs of this equipment. He could not let this happen. He resigned on May 31 after he lined up a job with another company but the following day, he learned that he didn't get the job. BOBBY McCreight , his boss at OASYS had told the prospective employer that Meyer "had drinking problems" and was ridiculing his nomination for the MOH as "pending star status" (WSTV note: we cannot find out if Mr. McCreight as ever worn the uniform or served his country in any capacity. Draw your own conclusions)

Now, let us take a look at BAE systems. Most readers have never heard of this company that is one of the largest manufacturers of defense equipment in the world. They employ over 100,000 people worldwide. Their equipment and technology is in everything from nuclear subs to jet fighters.

Here is how BAE does business or at least herein is a PART of their business record.

In March 2010 BAE was brought before the Department of Justice for making hidden payments to weapons buyers in the Chech republic, Saudi and Hungary. They sold billions of dollars in weapons in these contracts. The result ---in just this case alone--resulted in BAE paying over 400 million in fines. 

Then in May, the DOJ hit them again. This time they (DOJ) imposed sanctions against them and fined them 79 million in fines and remedial compliance ---the largest civil penalty in Justice Department history!

Andrew Feinstein, author of "The shadow world; Inside the  Global arms trade"(Amazon-November 2011) and former member of African National Parliament until he was resignation in 2001 because his party would not permit investigation of BAE practices, says the fines are regarded by BAE as "just the cost of doing business" and bribes are "systemic" with BAE.

Documented testimony describes BAE as providing "Suitcases full of cash" to win contracts.

The controversy on this company continues at an alarming pace. We have not even touched the countless instances where BAE has thrown the laws that would prevent any American manufacturer from ever obtaining a government contract, let alone one that involved national security,  back in our faces.  It would appear that this is yet another case where members of Congress are too timid to ask the tough questions.

It would look to us that Sgt. Dakota Meyer has a whole lot more ethics and moral fiber than any element of BAE.  

By;  William A. Gast,  Editor

William A. Gast  USN (ret) DAV, CRSC

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