Witness | US v Pfc. Manning, Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett

  • posted December 21, 2011

UPDATE POST COURT-MARTIAL

United States v. Pfc. Manning was conducted in de facto secrecy. The public was not granted contemporaneous access to court filings or rulings during her trial. In addition to reporting on her trial, I transcribed the proceedings, reconstructed the censored appellate list, and un-redacted any publicly available documentation, in order to foster public comprehension of her unprecedented trial.

As a result of a lawsuit against the military judge and the Military District of Washington brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights, as well as my own FOIA requests and research, an official court record for US v. Pfc. Manning was released seven months after her trial. That record is not complete.

The official trial docket is published HERE and the entire collection of documents is text searchable at usvmanning.org.

*During the pretrial proceedings, court-martial and sentencing of Pfc. Manning, Chelsea requested to be identified as Bradley and addressed using the male pronoun. In a letter embargoed for August 22, 2013 Chelsea proclaimed that she is female and wished to be addressed from that moment forward as Chelsea E. Manning.

General Description:

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that he was in the US Army for three years. Padgett testified that his prior service was as a US Marine from 2001 to 2005. Padgett testified that his speciality was as a counterintelligence agent. His current position is a 35 Fox.

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that he was deployed to Iraq in October 2009. Padgett testified that he worked the night-shift in the T-SCIF at FOB Hammer. Padgett testified that he assumed the position of NCOIC (Non Commissioned Officer in Charge) for the night-shift in October 2009. Padgett testified that he did not receive any counseling or leadership training to assume his position as NCOIC (Non Commissioned Officer in Charge). Padgett testified that his orders were to oversee operations handed down from superiors.

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that in terms of leadership, “there could have been more oversight.”

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that he was never Pfc. Manning’s direct supervisor, although he was Pfc. Manning’s supervisor on the night-shift, and he was not in Pfc. Manning’s chain of command. Padgett testified that despite him not being in Pfc. Manning’s chain of command, he did request to counsel Manning when he saw an alleged incident in December 2009 with Pfc. Manning on the night-shift. Padgett testified that during that counseling session on the importance of being on time in the [Major Cliff Clauson ] Brigade S2’s office in the T-SCIF at FOB Hammer, Pfc. Manning allegedly “was staring” at him and Padgett testified that he asked Pfc. Manning not to do that “because it made [Padgett] uncomfortable.” Padgett testified that Pfc. Manning allegedly “turned the table upside down and was restrained by an S2 officer [Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Ehresman ].” Padgett testified that after Pfc. Manning allegedly flipped the table over, everything hit the ground. Padgett testified that he allegedly moved Pfc. Manning away, because Padgett saw there were weapons. Padgett testified that the officer in charge, Chief Warrant Officer TwoJoshua Ehresman restrained Pfc. Manning by sitting him on a bench and telling Pfc. Manning to sit. Padgett testified that during the alleged December 2009 incident “We cleared the room.” Reitman notes that Padgett testified that “two computers and a radio crashed to the ground”. Sgt. Padgett put his hand on PFC Manning to calm him down. Moments later, the Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Ehresman put PFC Manning in a “full nelson” style wrestling head lock.” Padgett testified that he spoke to a few people in the brigade about the incident, but that he did not talk to Master Sergeant (now Sergeant First Class) Paul Adkins; Major Cliff Clausen, Brigade S2; and unidentified First Sergeant, or the Company Commander Drewer (sp.). Padgett testified that there was no UCMJ (Uniform Military Code of Justice) action received by Pfc. Manning due to the incident in December 2009.

Specialist Showman testified that her desk was outside the entrance to the T-SCIF conference room, not Major Cliff Clausen, Brigade S2’s. Specialist Jihrleah Showman testified testified that she heard Manning scream and she got up and went to the door of the conference room. Specialist Jihrleah Showman testified that she saw Manning sitting on one side of the table and Padgett was sitting on the other side. Showman testified that she saw Bradley Manning allegedly flip the conference room table and that she saw a computer get broken. Showman testified that she saw Padgett stand up and move toward the table. Showman testified that she saw Padgett put his hand out and try to talk Manning down. Showman testified that she saw Manning allegedly look around and see an M4 US Army assault rifle. Specialist Jihrleah Showman testified that she saw Manning allegedly reach for the M4. Showman testified that she saw [see note] grab Bradley Manning from behind and drag Manning away. [NB There is a discrepancy between my own Reitman’s and the anonymous transcriber account as to who grabbed Manning during the alleged December 2009 incident with Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett, according to Showman’s testimony. According to my transcript of Captain Steven Lim’s testimony and Reitman’s transcript of Showman Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Ehresman grabbed Manning. But this transcriber of Showman’s testimony says that Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett grabbed Manning.] [See note] dragged Manning a couple of feet and then Manning sat. Showman testified that Manning did not receive an Article 15 [Non-Judicial Punishment]. Showman testified that she spoke to Master Sergeant Paul David Adkins (now Sergeant 1st Class due to administrative action) about the incident and told Adkins that Manning should no longer be in the T-SCIF. Showman testified that Manning was not removed. Showman testified that the December 2009 incident with Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett should not have just remained in the S2 shop. Showman testified that the First Sergeant did eventually find out because Showman’s commanding officer Chief Warrant Officer, Two (CW2) Hondo Hat Hack told the First Sergeant. Showman testified that Master Sergeant Paul David Adkins (now Sergeant 1st Class due to administrative action) did not report the incident to the First Sergeant. Showman testified that she escorted Bradley Manning to meet with the First Sergeant and that she told the First Sergeant that Manning should have never deployed and that this was not the first time and that she was not surprised about the incident.

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett provided a sworn statement for the Secretary of the Army’s 15-6 investigation into the alleged unauthorized disclosures.

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that he was trained on classified information and the consequences of releasing classified information. Padgett testified that the mission was to find enemy locations and tactics. Padgett testified that Pfc. Manning’s mission was also to find enemy locations and tactics and to gather intel pertinent to the Shia. Padgett testified that his job was “computer-based” and that he never used CIDNE (Combined Information Data Network Exchange) Afghanistan or Wget. Padgett testified that he never burned classified information onto a CD, because it was not authorized. Padgett testified that he signed multiple NDA. Padgett testified that it was every soldier’s job to safeguard classified information. Padgett testified that music was authorized on the shared drive, and that “we could bring music CD’s that weren’t re-writable.” Padgett testified that there “were a couple of games at one point on the shared drive.”

Individuals mentioned in the testimony of Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett

  • Unnamed individual who Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified he asked permission to counsel Pfc. Manning concerning the alleged December 2009 incident.
  • Major Cliff Clausen who Captain Steven Lim 2nd Brigade Military Intelligence (MI) Company Commander Brigade S2 replaced when Clausen was removed because according to Captain Steven Lim 2nd Brigade Military Intelligence (MI) Company Commander Brigade S2 Major Clausen could not communicate information to the Commander in a way Commander needed.
  • Redacted individuals two (2) who Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett said in his sworn affidavit gave permission to handle disciplinary actions for PFC Manning.
  • Redacted individual who Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett said in a sworn affidavit should have been counseling Pfc. Manning.
  • Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Ehresman who allegedly restrained Pfc. Manning during the December 2009 incident.
  • Master Sergeant (now Sergeant First Class) Adkins
  • Unnamed First Sergeant who Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that he did not talk to concerning the alleged December 2009 incident with Pfc. Manning. Specialist Jihrleah Showman testified that the First Sergeant did eventually find out because Showman’s commanding officer Chief Warrant Officer, Two (CW2) Hondo Hat Hack told the First Sergeant. Showman testified that Master Sergeant Paul David Adkins (now Sergeant 1st Class due to administrative action) did not report the incident to the First Sergeant. Showman testified that she escorted Bradley Manning to meet with the First Sergeant and that she told the First Sergeant that Manning should have never deployed and that this was not the first time and that she was not surprised about the incident.
  • Company Commander Drewer (sp.) who Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett testified that he did not talk to concerning the alleged December 2009 incident with Pfc. Manning.
  • Cooley (Sp.) a soldier who worked on the night-shift with Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett and Pfc. Manning, under Captain Barclay Keay the first three weeks of Captain Barclay Keay ‘s deployment at FOB Hammer

No. 30 on the December 2, 2011 Defense Request for Article 32 Witnesses

XXXXXXXXXX [Sergeant, former Specialist, Daniel Padgett] former supervisor of PFC Manning. He will testify that PFC Manning was a very good analyst, who was good with computers but timid and not good at public speaking. He will testify that he was assigned as the night shift NCOIC [Non Commissioned Officer in Charge] with then SPC Manning and XXXXXXXXXX [Cooley (sp.)]. He was assigned this position even though he had not yet been to any leadership schools. He will testify that there really was not anyone supervising the night shift. He will also testify that when he needed to counsel PFC Manning he went to XXXXXXXXXX [Master Sergeant Adkins (now Sergeant First Class due to an administrative action)] and asked him if he could counsel him. He will testify that he was given permission to handle disciplinary actions for PFC Manning by XXXXXXXXXX [WHO IS THIS?] and XXXXXXXXXX [WHO IS THIS?]. He will testify that he believed that he was in essence talking care of other NCOs soldiers and that PFC Manning should have been counseled by XXXXXXXXXX [WHO IS THIS?]. He will testify that during one counseling session in December of 2009, PFC Manning grabbed the table and flipped it. He will testify that PFC Manning did not approach him, but he was concerned when PFC Manning stepped towards the weapons rack. He will testify that when PFC Manning stepped towards the weapons rack, XXXXXXXXXX [Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Ehresman] grabbed PFC Manning from behind and held him until he calmed down. He will testify that although PFC Manning later apologized to him, that he believes PFC Manning should have been removed from the T-SCIF after the incident. Finally, he will testify that personnel in the T-SCIF were told that they could listen to music CDs and watch movies in the T-SCIF.

Sergeant (former Specialist) Daniel Padgett’s testimony at US v Pfc. Manning Article 32 Pretrial

See Transcript of US v PFC Manning, Article 32 Pretrial, 12/21/11 (by an anonymous journalist, ed. by Alexa O’Brien)

DEFENSE CALLS SERGEANT DANIEL PADGETT [FORMERLY SPECIALIST]

Defense (Coombs): [Expresses appreciation.] How long were you in the Army?

Padgett: Three years. [The following is in response to multiple questions.] Prior service, U.S. Marine 2001 to 2005. My specialty was as a counter-intelligence agent. Initially I was a 35 Fox. Current assignment: Bravo [missed] special agent. In 2009, I deployed to Iraq in October. Worked the night shift at the T-S.C.I.F. I was the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge [N.C.O.I.C.]. F.O.B. Hammer, October, 2009, assumed position [of N.C.O.I.C.] Received no counseling. Attended no leadership. My orders were to oversee operations handed down from superiors. I did not counsel other soldiers. [On leadership:] there could have been more oversight.

Defense (Coombs): Was there a clear chain of command?

Padgett: No. I was never Bradley Manning’s direct supervisor.

[Reitman notes: “His job was to oversee operations of the night shift, but he had no real guidance or formal training to do so. Sgt. Padgett noted that there was no clear chain of command between him and PFC Manning, whom he was supposed to supervise.”]

Defense (Coombs): Did you ever request to counsel Manning?

Padgett: Yes. I saw an incident and asked to counsel him during the night shift.

Defense (Coombs): You wanted to do that because correcting soldiers was part of what you did.

Padgett: Yes.

Defense (Coombs): December 2009, your first counseling session. Anything happen during that?

Padgett: We sat across from each other. Bradley Manning turned the table upside down and was restrained by an S2 officer. We cleared the room.

Defense (Coombs): You were counseling him?

Padgett: Yes. Inside the brigade S2’s office in the S.C.I.F. We were going over the counseling and the importance of being on time. He was staring at me. I asked him not to because it made me uncomfortable. He stood and flipped the table.

Defense (Coombs): After flipping the table, what did he do?

Padgett: He flipped. Everything hit the ground.

Defense (Coombs): You saw that there were weapons? Thought you should move him away?

Padgett: I moved him away, and the officer in charge [Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Ehresman] restrained him. Sat him on a bench and told him to sit.

[Reitman notes, “Two computers and a radio crashed to the ground. Sgt. Padgett put his hand on PFC Manning to calm him down. Moments later, the Chief Warrant Officer put PFC Manning in a “full nelson” style wrestling head lock.”]

Defense (Coombs): Did Master Sergeant Adkins come to you?

Padgett: I talked to a few people in the brigade. I did not talk to Master Sergeant Adkins, Major Clausen, the First Sergeant, or Company Commander Drewer (sp.). There was no U.C.M.J. [Uniform Military Code of Justice] action received by Manning due to the incident in 2009.

PROSECUTION EXAMINES SERGEANT DANIEL PADGETT [FORMERLY SPECIALIST]

Prosecution (Overgaard): You were trained on classified information? You were trained about the consequences of releasing classified information?

Padgett: [Answers “Yes, Ma’am” to all questions.]

[Prosecution continues to interview Padgett on his training and mission.]

Prosecution (Overgaard): Mission was to find enemy location and tactics?

Padgett: Yes, Ma’am.

Prosecution (Overgaard): The Accused as well? To gather intel pertinent to the Shia?

Padgett: Yes, Ma’am.

Prosecution (Overgaard): Job?

Padgett: Computer-based.

Prosecution (Overgaard): Ever use C.I.D.N.E. Afghanistan? WGET? [Missed another.]

Padgett: No.

Prosecution (Overgaard): You never burned classified information onto C.D.’s? Because it was not authorized?

Padgett: No, never.

Prosecution (Overgaard): You signed multiple N.D.A.’s? That explained clearly that your job…? [Sound dropped out in the press pool.]

Prosecution (Overgaard): Whose job is it to safeguard classified information?

Padgett: Every soldier’s.

Investigating Officer: When in the T-S.C.I.F., what were soldiers told about music and movies?

Padgett: Music was authorized on the shared drive. We could bring music C.D.’s that weren’t re-writeable. [Missed answer about movies.] There were a couple of games at one point on the shared drive.

9:21 a.m. SERGEANT DANIEL PADGETT [FORMERLY SPECIALIST] PERMANENTLY EXCUSED.

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