CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — Undisclosed misconduct by the 2nd Infantry Division’s 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team commander has cost him his job, officials confirmed Wednesday.
Col. Robert M. Roth was removed Oct. 10 after an 8th Army investigation finding of misconduct. He had been on suspension since Sept. 24.
"The reasons for my dismissal are a personal matter between my family and I, and we are moving forward to the next part of our lives outside the military," Roth wrote in an e-mail Thursday following a Stars and Stripes query.
On Thursday, command officials again declined to comment, continuing to refuse to provide details on the nature of the misconduct, when and where it happened, and for how long the misconduct occurred.
"The investigation substantiated allegations of misconduct, however for privacy concerns we will not discuss the particulars of the misconduct," 2nd ID spokesman Maj. Vince Mitchell told Stripes in an e-mail Wednesday.
"The misconduct occurred prior to Col. Roth’s assumption of command, and was unrelated to his official duties."
Military officials often decline to comment on matters during an ongoing investigation, but the investigation involving Roth is complete. When asked, they refused to provide a legal justification as to why Roth’s investigation and its details were not public record.
Before taking over 1st Brigade on June 27, Roth served as chief of the future operations division for U.S. Forces Korea at Yongsan Garrison.
The circumstances of his dismissal had "nothing to do with the military, the Army or 1HBCT," Roth said in his e-mail.
Roth continued by writing about his 24-year career, including three deployments to combat zones, a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star as a battalion commander for evacuating injured soldiers.
"I proudly served my country and defended freedom all these years — helping people less fortunate, regardless if they were in Iraq, Europe, or the U.S.," Roth said. "It hurts my heart deeply that I must depart the HBCT and cannot carry out the purpose of my life which is helping people in need."
Lt. Col. Richard Creed, commander of the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, has temporarily assumed command of the brigade.
The division will move "quickly and prudently" to find a permanent replacement, Mitchell said.
"Anytime a leader, no less the commander of a unit, is relieved for misconduct it has the potential to have a significant negative impact on soldiers under his command," Mitchell wrote. "However, we have professional leaders in the unit who will ensure this matter does not distract from our division’s armistice and wartime mission."
First Brigade includes five battalions and a cavalry squadron. Most of the soldiers stationed at Camp Casey in Dongducheon belong to the brigade.
