Heather, I hear you. I treated every case on its own merits and never worried about cries for favoritism, anticipating they’re going to happen regardless. Ultimately, if you take the time to explain each element of proof, how you found guilt or not, beyond a reasonable doubt and how each punishment directly relates to the founded charges, your NCOs who are in there with you, will reassure the Soldiers that you are a fair and just leader.

While no case was ever easy and it affected me emotionally, some were very tough actually, there was also a very liberating feeling when you’ve treated someone fairly and did justice and I believe there is a direct correlation between that and the command climate.