LTC Lakin released from confinement; considers waiving appeal; says if recently released additional birth record had been released sooner, “this whole ordeal would not have happened for me”
LTC Lakin was released from confinement on Friday. He has since given at least two interviews, this one with KMBC and this one with the Terry Lakin Action Fund Radio Hour.
In the Terry Lakin Action Fund Radio Hour interview, LTC Lakin indicates he’s considering waiving his appeal. (I understand that his appeal has already been docketed with ACCA, so he would actually have to withdraw his appeal.) He says the military appellate process takes 6 to 18 months (which is actually a conservative estimate). He indicates he’s considering the pros and cons of waiving his appeal, getting his DD-214, and moving on:
Right now, I’m on appellate leave, which means I’m still on active duty but not receiving pay and just no, no duties other than preparing for possible appeals. And the appellate process can take up to, you know, 6 months to 18 months. The other option would be to waive the appeal process and receive my DD 214, or discharge papers, and I would be separated immediately from the military and go on with my life with no other ties with the military.
In the KMBC interview, when asked about President Obama’s release of an additional birth record on 27 April 2011, LTC Lakin responds, “Had that been done sooner, I wouldn’t have – this whole ordeal would not have happened for me.” Yet he declares himself “at peace with what I did.” He adds, “I don’t know what else I could have done differently.” Hhhmmm, I can think of something.
There was a welcome home rally for LTC Lakin at BWI Airport Saturday morning to greet him upon his return from Kansas City, as described by the Terry Lakin Action Fund here. [Note, the TLAF's estimate of 80 supporters appears to be roughly double the actual number.]
On the TLAF interview, which was aired on Friday, LTC Lakin also discusses his future plans:
When I get back to the family tomorrow, I want to spend some missed time with them and, you know, after, after a little while I do need t0 — or in the next few weeks, I need to look into reestablishing my medical license and, and seeking employment. I need to find a way to provide for my family and then I want to continue with some type of service to our country or to some faith-based organization or do what I can to still enjoy helping others. Certainly, certainly that’s a driving desire in myself.
LTC Lakin then discusses his desire to assist military prisoners:
I think there’s a population of valued Soldiers who are incarcerated and more needs to be done for them. I believe there’s a lot of talent and training that could have more productive means of — you know, a more productive outcome from them rather than just incarceration.
When asked about possible programs to assist military prisoners, he responds, “I read a little bit about what Charles Colson does and that just sounds like incredible work that needs to be done for our troops.”
Near the end of the interview, LTC Lakin said:
I enjoyed deployments. They were some of the best times of my life, too. I’m sorry I didn’t go on this one. I wished I could or I with I could go in the future, but –.
The “Terry Lakin Action Fund” site contains the following plea for funds:
So according to the Lakinistas, even the release of the so-called long form certificate wasn’t enough to finally resolve the “critical issue” of whether or not the President is eligible to hold his office.
Assuming he shares that view, and is not simply still lending himself to the birther cause in order to get their money, then the release of the document would not have changed LTC Lakin’s course of action one whit.
This may be why he’s considering, apparently, withdrawing from appellate review. He will sever his UCMJ liability for statements made about the president. While I think it unlikely the Army would go after him under Article 88, if he were to make some truly outrageous and disrespectful comments that possibility could be concerning to him.
LTC Lakin also stated that he was ready to move on and never discuss the birther issue again and ‘that CAAFLog.com should do the same.’
I may have just made that up, but out of an abundance of caution, let’s put this issue to bed.
Severed immediately? Ha. It can take 6-18 months to get one’s DD 214 after the appellate process is over.
LOL CPT Korte. I hope you are doing well!
All is well, Sir. I’m attempting my triumphant return to Trial Defense because this Infantry Division can’t even handle me right now.
Not to kick over a bees nest, but just how ticked off is Mr. Lakin going to be when he’s applying for civilian jobs and prospective employers require extensive documentation?
Unsurprisingly, Lakin apparently still believes that commissioned officers give orders to the Commander-in-Chief, rather than the opposite.
Dear Lakin, you wouldn’t have suffered your “whole ordeal” if you hadn’t broken the law.