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CAMP WILLIAMS — Four guardsmen who were not authorized for involvement in or use of resources in a pin-up calendar photo and video shoot at Camp Williams will be disciplined, according to Utah National Guard officials.
Lt. Col. Steven Fairbourn, spokesman for the Utah National Guard, said the investigation that began Oct. 15 ended Friday. There was little equipment involved, but corrective measures will follow for those who took part in the UK-based Hot Shot calendar video and photo shoot.
"The individual, senior (19th Special Forces non-commissioned officer), that provided the access has been relieved of his leadership position, and a general officer letter of reprimand has been initiated," Fairbourn said. "He is being mandated to retire earlier than is scheduled."
The other three guardsmen will receive lesser punishments depending on their level of involvement. The $200 cost for fuel used during the making of the video is being repaid by the officers involved. Fairbourn said general officer letters of reprimand have also been issued to some of those involved.
Though $200 may not seem like a lot, Fairbourn said, it was important for the Utah National Guard to recover the costs.
"In these difficult budgetary times, every dollar is important. Whether it be $1 or $100,000, we follow rules and regulations and spend our federal and state funds appropriately and lawfully," he said.
Honestly there was confusion, and the senior most (officer) that was involved in this, he mistakenly believed that he had authority to approve this. The others below presumed that it had been authorized.
–Lt. Col. Steven Fairbourn, Utah National Guard
Fairbourn said the Guard does not plan to release the names of those involved.
"We're dealing with individuals that have served this state and this nation very well over their careers," he said. "This is certainly a misstep, and they are going to pay for that internally, but we don't want to bring undue embarrassment on those individuals."
Fairbourn said those involved had good intentions and were under the impression that the proceeds of the calendar would go to raise funds for wounded warrior-type organizations.
"Honestly there was confusion, and the senior most (officer) that was involved in this, he mistakenly believed that he had authority to approve this," he said. "The others below presumed that it had been authorized."
Fairbourn said the involvement is characterized as "an error in judgement" for most of the soldiers, but the senior officer should have known the rules and regulations, which is why the discipline is more severe.
"This is an error in judgment that occurred with a limited few individuals, and we as your Utah Guard stand committed and resolved to serve our state and our nation," he said. "This is a small aspect in a much larger picture."
Email: ebench@ksl.com
