Former Supervisor Disputes Moore’s Afghanistan Combat Account

Retired Lt. Col. James A. Jamie Gottschling, who supervised Wes Moore during the Maryland governor’s Afghanistan deployment, says Moore did not lead troops in combat or have soldiers assigned to him. Gottschling also said Moore performed well in his brigade staff role. Moore has described leading soldiers into combat, leaving the scope of his leadership responsibilities disputed.

Gottschling said Moore worked on information operations coordination, including analyzing reports, coordinating civilian assistance and helping Afghan officials communicate with the public. He said Moore was a valued member of the brigade staff and did what he was assigned to do. Gottschling’s criticism concerns Moore’s later descriptions of his service, not his performance in the role he supervised.

Moore’s deployment itself is documented. Army records reviewed by Spotlight place him in Afghanistan from Aug. 15, 2005, to March 14, 2006, including about a month of emergency leave. Records cited by The Baltimore Banner also show that Moore received a Combat Action Badge after indirect rocket fire struck his base on Dec. 9, 2005. Those records establish exposure to an attack, not that he commanded troops...