Marine Whistleblower Saved Lives…and was Punished

Monday, July 25, 2011
Franz Gayl (photo: AP)
Franz Gayl spent 35 years working as a civilian science adviser for the U.S. Marine Corps…until he opened his mouth about the Department of Defense dragging its feet to help protect Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
Last fall, Gayl lost his security clearance, effectively ending his career. Supporters of Gayl say he was retaliated against by Pentagon officials for getting them in trouble when he spoke out in 2007 about the need for more armored protection against improvised explosive devices used by insurgents against Marines.
 
His whistleblowing resulted in Congress getting involved, and eventually more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan to aid Marines in their duties.
 
The Project on Government Oversight says Gayl saved thousands of lives, because getting more MRAPs to the war zones reduced the risks of more deaths and injuries due to roadside bombs.
 
“Not only is this retaliation a gross injustice to a patriotic public servant, but it sends a troublesome message to others who witness wrongdoing in the federal government: stay quiet,” according to POGO.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
The Unquiet Life of Franz Gayl (by James Verini, Washington Monthly)

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