ARLINGTON, Va. — The Army has given the former head of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command nonjudicial punishment.
Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, of Army Public Affairs, wrote in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes late Friday night that a senior military commander, whom he did not name, had decided on Gen. Kevin P. Byrnes’ punishment.
“The senior Army commander determined punitive action was warranted through the military system of ‘nonjudicial punishment’ resulting in a formal reprimand and a monetary penalty (a fine),” he wrote.
Brooks declined to say with whom Byrnes had the affair, and who told him to break it off.
“The Army, as a matter of policy, does not publicize specific punishments associated with a named individual,” Brooks wrote. “Given that General Byrnes has already been publicized by name, it would be inappropriate to provide any greater detail on the decisions.”
In August, Byrnes was fired for allegedly having an affair with a civilian woman after he was legally separated from his wife.
Army spokesman Col. Joe Curtin later told USA Today that Byrnes ignored an order to end the affair.
On Friday, the Newport News Daily Press reported that an Army spokeswoman said that Byrnes would avoid standing trial for the adultery charge under a nonjudicial punishment.
Lt. Col. Pamela Hart told the newspaper that Byrnes’ punishment could include a reduction in rank and a forfeiture of pay.
But Hart told Stars and Stripes on Friday morning that she was “incorrect” when she spoke to the Newport News Daily Press, saying no decision on Byrnes’ punishment had been confirmed.
Byrnes’ attorney, Lt. Col. David Robertson, did not return phone calls and an e-mail on the matter Friday.
Other four-star generals or flag officers who have been fired include Navy Adm. Richard C. Macke, who was relieved of Pacific Command after making an off-color comment about Marines accused of raping a 12-year-old Japanese girl; and Gen. Michael Dugan, who was removed as Air Force Chief of Staff after talking to reporters about planning for the Persian Gulf War.
