With tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, you would think that he has faced almost every threat the world currently has to offer. This is why despite knowing how to lead U.S. and foreign troops in combat, Ritter was caught off guard when Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Regeimbal, a Green Beret he fired for behavior while deployed in Syria, and his partner at the time, spread false rumors about alleged unprofessional behavior by Ritter to destroy his nearly 30-year career. A military reporter was then used to make the allegations known to the public.

What made it worse was how the reporter, Jack Murphy, did not provide an update on the original piece when the Army’s investigation into the allegations cleared Ritter’s name despite being told multiple times. Murphy formerly served as a Green Beret.

[My friend Julio Rosas did a deep dive on this story with his usual demand for detail and skill at presenting it. This is well worth a full read; the second part of the story can be found here, but the first part will get your blood boiling. — Ed]