Coburn Needs to Stop Being a Coward

Sgt. Daniel Coburn started something. For whatever reason; whether it be from a misguided idea of what he saw or a deep-seated desire to stick it to the lieutenant who had made his life hell, Coburn started a chain of events in motion.

From Day 1 he’s shown a sense of arrogance; a separateness that is less individuality and more lofty disdain for those he serves with. Coburn shows a disdain for the very spectrum of his job. People like Ilario Pantano make him uncomfortable, because they don’t allow Coburn to just “get by”. Instead, they expect him to perform at a level at least commensurate with his fellow Marines. They may even have the audacity to push him to be excellent; to be better than even he thought he could be. Either way, the bottom rung these people expect is that he not do things that endanger the men he’s responsible for.

Fellow troops that Coburn served with don’t have many good things to say. They call him a coward, an ‘unsat’ Marine that tried to get out of work, was lazy, and couldn’t even read a map - after 10 years of service. And yet, the bulk of the prosecution’s case rests on this man, who Pantano demoted just a few days prior for putting his men in danger.

So now, five days into the hearing, Coburn’s refusing to go through with it. He’s refusing to get back on the stand unless he gets immunity from his own indiscretions, which include giving a lengthy interview to New York Magazine in which he said Pantano seemed “kind of gay”, among other things. In the admittedly politically incorrect world of the Marine Corps, being called “gay” is one of the biggest insults; a slam on the virility and masculinity that the Marines project and that every member of the Corps aspires to. It’s the antithesis of the proud, courageous warrior. And let’s not forget Coburn’s oral diarrhea on this blog, either, which now is a matter of public record, having been entered into evidence and used while Coburn was on the stand. He called his platoon leader a liar.

Big words for a man who’s already perjured himself on the stand and is well known for being a wimpy man who was thrilled to be named as radio operator so he could stay in the back.

I’m willing to say that perhaps Coburn had no idea that it would all get this big. Based on everything I’ve seen and heard of him from many parties who are in a position to know, I think he’s simply a shoddy Marine who thought this was the easiest way to get out of the infantry and out of harm’s way, while simultaneously ruining the career of the one man he despised the most.

Why did Coburn hate Pantano? My guess is envy. Pantano is admired - perhaps even loved - by his men. I consistently receive emails from people who met Pantano or worked with him years ago and want to tell me about how he touched their lives with his sense of honor, his patriotism, and his love for people. People who Ilario may not even remember talk about how he made them feel as though they were the most important person in the world when he talked to them. That’s something I can relate to. I wrote Pantano an email of encouragement a while back, and he responded with simple words so inspiring that I walked away amazed. He responds to them all.

It’s been said time and again that you don’t know who your friends are until you need them. Ilario Pantano is reaping the seeds he’s sown, and people are coming out from all over to talk about what an extraordinary man he is - even now, when it’s perhaps “unfashionable” to people like those hateful souls that have posted here.

What does Coburn have? Nothing. He has no line of Marines outside waiting to sing his praises. In fact, we have yet to hear from any Marine that would speak highly of Coburn. He has a world of problems derived from his own actions, and a hell of a lot of people who have nothing but disgust for him.

And yet, Coburn has a chance to redeem himself, even if it’s only a small amount. He has the chance to get on the stand, take responsiblity for what he’s done, and get the “job” of his testimony, whatever that may entail, done. He can choose to act with honor, even at this late stage. The military’s already said they won’t charge him for what he’s said up to this point, so why ask for immunity? Sure, he has the RIGHT to not incriminate himself, but dear God - what else does he have to say that he would need immunity for? Perhaps “I made it all up”?

Coburn can, for a few moments, be what Pantano is: a man of honor who stands behind his words, tells the truth, and accepts responsibility for his actions.

I’m not holding my breath.

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