U.S. Army fires 4-star general for meddling in subordinate's promotion attempt

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Army has removed one of the nation's 12 four-star generals, Army Gen. Charles Hamilton, from command following an investigation that determined he interfered in a subordinate's promotion.

"Based on the findings of a Department of the Army inspector general investigation, the secretary of the Army has relieved Gen. Charles Hamilton of command," Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced Tuesday.

Hamilton was the head of Army Materiel Command and was removed due to a "flagrant abuse of authority" on behalf of a subordinate officer who was "found unfit for command" and with whom Hamilton "had an inappropriate relationship," Military.com quoted from the inspector general report regarding the matter.

Wormuth said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, who is the acting commander of Army Materiel Command, will continue in his current role pending a permanent replacement being named to replace him.

An Army inspector general investigation determined Hamilton improperly encouraged an assessment board to promote an unnamed female lieutenant colonel after another board unanimously denied her promotion by a 5-0 vote.

Prior to a second panel review for the vacancy, the inspector general report says Hamilton contacted those he thought might be on the panel to discuss the candidates and review parameters, but the second panel also denied her promotion.

Hamilton and the female officer allegedly were in a personal relationship. He also was her mentor and previously said he chose to mentor her because they both are Black.

Hamilton wrote Wormuth and in the letter said the Army's selection process when choosing battalion commanders "fails to account for the psychological effects that systemic bias, discrimination and overt racism can have on prospective officers."

A statement by the Army said the investigation "found that the Command Assessment Program withstood an attempt to interfere with its process" and the program will remain in effect with increased transparency to ensure its integrity.

Hamilton's military service over the past 43 years was his "greatest honor" and he has been "blessed beyond what I deserved to lead our troops," Hamilton told Task & Purpose in a prepared statement.

"Today, that service comes to a close. And, as the song tells us, the Army keeps rolling along," Hamilton said.

"While I wish I was able to complete my command, we all take the uniform off and we don't always control the timing," he said. "I look forward to continuing to serve our nation in new ways."