I consider it nothing more than a case of poor judgement. Unfortunately, when it comes to military regulations you either are in compliance or you are not in compliance. I believe things would have been treated less severely had Boddington not been so well known and had he not written articles as "General Boddington".

quote:

http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/135/Docs/JAM/Frocking-05.pdf

The Secretary of Defense is the approval authority for frocking above the grade of colonel.

quote:

Officials find Marine unlawfully frocked, By Sandra Jontz - Stars and Stripes, Published: August 30, 2003

“We concluded that Generals Hagee and Hailston and Col. Boddington violated, or caused a violation of, the standards that govern frocking of officers and wearing of the insignia of a higher grade,” reads a portion of IG report. “In that regard, all three officers knew Col. Boddington was ineligible to be frocked or to wear the rank insignia of brigadier general without Senate confirmation and yet, engaged in conduct that facilitated Lt. Gen. Hailston’s improper frocking of Col. Boddington.”

USMC frocking did not require senate approval. It did however, require SECDEF approval and that was lacking.

I guess I will be roundly abused and chastied here for this view. Personally I have no interest in anything Craig Boddington has to say about Africa, life or hunting.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
I guess I will be roundly abused and chastied here for this view. Personally I have no interest in anything Craig Boddington has to say about Africa, life or hunting.

Jeff

"If you have a hero look again: you have diminished yourself in some way."

That being said- I have found Craig to be a personable, polite and courteous man.

You are entitled to you opinion-
likewise those of us with personal experience of the man are entitled to ours-

and entitled to likewise not care for any opinion you hold-

so much for abuse and chastisement- though I prefer to call it knowledgeable disagreement-

quote:

Originally posted by Gayne C. Young:

quote:

Don't get me wrong....if somebody wanted to give me a comped hunt that I would write a a story about.....I would be all over it!

With that said however....don't say that you personally paid for all of your hunts.

I can't speak for Craig but know that he will answer about the same way I do. Yes, I get a lot of free hunts (free as in I don't pay for them but I do work for them) but I pay for a lot as well.
And while, again, I can't speak for Craig, I'm not sure if he ever claimed he paid for all his own hunts.

Gayne,

I understand you must make your living at the whims of your audience-
that said-
The jealousy that many of these comments wreak of is truly nauseating--

of course, writers take"free hunts"

any idiot that does not comprehend this and responds with jealous critique is not worthy of a response-

the world "works"by information,

to espouse the expectation that any outdoor writer always "pay his (or her) way" is at the best ignorance--

but typically just unadulterated jealousy-

if writers were not invited at free or discounted rates we as the consuming public all suffer a lack of information with respect to opportunities-

We all have bias, it is up to the reader to determine just where bias is applied/directed-
AR has become a hotbed of jealous nay-sayers-
second-guessers , etc, etc

Pleaase-keep taking the "free" or "discounted" hunts and please keep writing about them-

I have only managed 8 African sorties in my 60+ years-however- I still --enjoy those that others get to take

Craig, If you could call back five shots that you, or others in your hunting group have taken, which ones would they be?

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:

USMC frocking did not require senate approval. It did however, require SECDEF approval and that was lacking.[/QUOTE]

True statement, but promotion requires Senate confirmation, and the Senate would not approve the BG list with Craig's name on it. IMHO, LGEN Hailstrom set Craig up - very unfortunate for Craig.

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:

USMC frocking did not require senate approval. It did however, require SECDEF approval and that was lacking.

True statement, but promotion requires Senate confirmation, and the Senate would not approve the BG list with Craig's name on it. IMHO, LGEN Hailstrom set Craig up - very unfortunate for Craig.[/QUOTE]

The debate is rather pointless; what would have happened if a GO declared BK? He may have been screwed by the frocking, but I can't imagine a GO with a BK. As a junior officer I had to ensure my junior enlisted personnel managed their finances. Soldiers have been drummed out for indebtedness under Article 134 of the UCMJ, and plenty of them have lost security clearances due to debt or BK.

Lest you disagree, does anyone know of a GO that was serving with a BK? Jorge? Subsailor? Anyone? Maybe the Dept of Navy has different standards, I don't know.

quote:

Craig, If you could call back five shots that you, or others in your hunting group have taken, which ones would they be?

Gwaai Five
Punki
....

Was he there when Punki was shot?

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:

USMC frocking did not require senate approval. It did however, require SECDEF approval and that was lacking.

True statement, but promotion requires Senate confirmation, and the Senate would not approve the BG list with Craig's name on it. IMHO, LGEN Hailstrom set Craig up - very unfortunate for Craig.

The debate is rather pointless; what would have happened if a GO declared BK? He may have been screwed by the frocking, but I can't imagine a GO with a BK. As a junior officer I had to ensure my junior enlisted personnel managed their finances. Soldiers have been drummed out for indebtedness under Article 134 of the UCMJ, and plenty of them have lost security clearances due to debt or BK.

Lest you disagree, does anyone know of a GO that was serving with a BK? Jorge? Subsailor? Anyone? Maybe the Dept of Navy has different standards, I don't know.[/QUOTE]

A Flag or GO who declared bankruptcy would likely lose his / her security clearance as they would be viewed as high risk for compormise. As there are not many jobs out there for a FO/GO in the unclass realm, it would be a quick path to retirement. If the person had served honorably other than the personal financial issues, they would most likely be allowed to serve in some unclass capacity where they could serve out their time and retire in grade (3 years in grade required for a BG as I recall).

Just a question, but can someone explain what Boddington's military career has to do with his hunting experiences?

Why is there so much animosity/jealousy toward Boddington?

Honestly, how many of us on here would turn down a "Free" hunt were it offered to us?

Why any professional connected to the hunting industry darkens the forums on AR is beyond me.

Agreed. I doubt that Craig will ever come back here on AR, and I certainly don't blame him in the least bit. I spoke directly to him about it at the last SCI show. He was a consumate gentleman and all he would say was that "AR's a tough crowd". I knew what he meant. That's why a lot of the others will never darken the AR door including Jim Shockey, Tony Makris, Johan Calitz, etc etc. And why should they? As to Boddington's Bk, marriages, military record and other issues, but for the grace of God go any of you, and some of you have suffered the same issues. Remember, when you point a finger at someone, there's always three of them pointing back at you. Sage advice for all of you.

UEG:

By damn man you hit it solid that time!

George

The hunts are not "free." Payment comes in the form of ink (editorial), which is arguably the best advertisement.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Agreed. I doubt that Craig will ever come back here on AR, and I certainly don't blame him in the least bit. I spoke directly to him about it at the last SCI show. He was a consumate gentleman and all he would say was that "AR's a tough crowd". I knew what he meant. That's why a lot of the others will never darken the AR door including Jim Shockey, Tony Makris, Johan Calitz, etc etc. And why should they? As to Boddington's Bk, marriages, military record and other issues, but for the grace of God go any of you, and some of you have suffered the same issues. Remember, when you point a finger at someone, there's always three of them pointing back at you. Sage advice for all of you.

Shockey's the real deal. Makris????? He thinks his schitt is ice cream and there's not enough spoons to go around.

quote:

Originally posted by Clan_Colla:

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
I guess I will be roundly abused and chastied here for this view. Personally I have no interest in anything Craig Boddington has to say about Africa, life or hunting.

Jeff

"If you have a hero look again: you have diminished yourself in some way."

That being said- I have found Craig to be a personable, polite and courteous man.

You are entitled to you opinion-
likewise those of us with personal experience of the man are entitled to ours-

and entitled to likewise not care for any opinion you hold-

so much for abuse and chastisement- though I prefer to call it knowledgeable disagreement-

Having expressed no opinion, how can you have "knowledgeable disagreement"?

Jeff

Personally, I am more impressed with CB's military service than the fact that he has hunted a lot and is a writer/tv personality. I could careless what any outdoor personality has to say about anything. I do not get the hero worship.

This thread is a perfect example of what's wrong with hunters as a group.. Argue non stop about everything. Why not just ask the man some questions, which was the purpose of this thread. Instead throw shit at each other and carry on like a bunch of clowns. The longer I'm on here the more convinced we are our own worst enemy.

quote:

This thread is a perfect example of what's wrong with hunters as a group.. Argue non stop about everything. Why not just ask the man some questions, which was the purpose of this thread. Instead throw shit at each other and carry on like a bunch of clowns. The longer I'm on here the more convinced we are our own worst enemy.

AMEN!

Interesting information about bankruptcy etc. and Flag/GO; obviously the standards are extremely high.

But it makes me think about all those congressmen, senators, cabinet officials, executive branch etc. (i.e., the people who make all the rules). It does not seem to affect their careers at all to have criminal convictions, disbarments, bankruptcies, infidelities, liens, judgments, and all manner of other such things. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful
He laughed and then kind of blew me off.

quote:

Originally posted by Gayne C. Young:

quote:

This thread is a perfect example of what's wrong with hunters as a group.. Argue non stop about everything. Why not just ask the man some questions, which was the purpose of this thread. Instead throw shit at each other and carry on like a bunch of clowns. The longer I'm on here the more convinced we are our own worst enemy.

AMEN!

I still don't understand how a guy can not pay his bills, but continue to hunt all over the world, and everything be OK, fellow hunter or not. That just reeks in my book.

I guess I'm a dumb redneck, but frankly, I couldn't care less about all the crap brought up here about Boddington. . . .

I read Boddington to read about hunts in places I'll probably never get to go, and animals I'll probably never get to hunt.

I'm interested in the animals and the hunting.

I largely ignore the gun/caliber recommendations, and the outfitter names. I believe it would be naïve of me to think that such things are totally unbiased.

I enjoy Boddington's writings. I have never heard anything to make me question the veracity of the hunts themselves, which is what I'm interested in.

So I will continue to enjoy his writings, and look forward to the next podcast, and my question about a sheep and goat book being answered

I did enjoy his recent Sports Afield article on the urials. I'd like to see that in expanded form

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Interesting information about bankruptcy etc. and Flag/GO; obviously the standards are extremely high.

But it makes me think about all those congressmen, senators, cabinet officials, executive branch etc. (i.e., the people who make all the rules). It does not seem to affect their careers at all to have criminal convictions, disbarments, bankruptcies, infidelities, liens, judgments, and all manner of other such things. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

You are absolutely right about that. Look at Clinton getting BJs in the oval office. If any officer (let alone a GO/FO) got caught engaged in that behavior they would probably be court martialed. I know an O5 who was a rising star; had a fling with his civilian admin and he was court martialed.

A single DUI was the kiss of death when I served - even for NCOs. The fact that a single mistake can derail your career creates a culture that suppresses risk taking, which is sometimes the exact opposite of what we need in military leaders.

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:

quote:

Originally posted by Gayne C. Young:

quote:

This thread is a perfect example of what's wrong with hunters as a group.. Argue non stop about everything. Why not just ask the man some questions, which was the purpose of this thread. Instead throw shit at each other and carry on like a bunch of clowns. The longer I'm on here the more convinced we are our own worst enemy.

AMEN!

I still don't understand how a guy can not pay his bills, but continue to hunt all over the world, and everything be OK, fellow hunter or not. That just reeks in my book.

Agreed. 3 divorces, illegit kid and other messes. I struggle with the credibility and honor he is supposed stand for being a marine.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:

quote:

Originally posted by Gayne C. Young:

quote:

This thread is a perfect example of what's wrong with hunters as a group.. Argue non stop about everything. Why not just ask the man some questions, which was the purpose of this thread. Instead throw shit at each other and carry on like a bunch of clowns. The longer I'm on here the more convinced we are our own worst enemy.

AMEN!

I still don't understand how a guy can not pay his bills, but continue to hunt all over the world, and everything be OK, fellow hunter or not. That just reeks in my book.

Agreed. 3 divorces, illegit kid and other messes. I struggle with the credibility and honor he is supposed stand for being a marine.

Not being American, marine, or anything else special for that matter .. Its a bit shameful how you (NOT) stand up for a guy that dedicated his life protecting your country and done more for African hunting than this website combined.

One of the best things with AR is that we have a lot of guys with ton of experience, why not welcome them with normal questions instead!

Who really cares about his divorces, really ?


Craig we need to see a book about "bears of the world" and Sheep and Ibex, anything planned ?

His service is the only thing I respect about him. I don't give a ratsass what he's done for African hunting, as my world doesn't revolve around that.

Excellent words Anton
I'm with you.

Hunts exotic places all over the world and gets a new wife every 10 years. Awesome !!!

Maybe all the ex's were not worth shit

Just another sanctimonious and judgmental thread on AR. So many choir boys in one place; how does one deal with all this moral superiority? I am going to Church tomorrow.

I read nil of Craig as what he does interests me little. I have wondered, however, why any author does not come on AR to discuss and sell his wares. In reading this thread, I have the answer to that question.
If I got this much shit, I'd stay away, too.
On the other hand, look at the shit Shootaway gets (and deservedly so) and he is still here!
Cheers, gentlemen.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:

quote:

Originally posted by Gayne C. Young:

quote:

This thread is a perfect example of what's wrong with hunters as a group.. Argue non stop about everything. Why not just ask the man some questions, which was the purpose of this thread. Instead throw shit at each other and carry on like a bunch of clowns. The longer I'm on here the more convinced we are our own worst enemy.

AMEN!

I still don't understand how a guy can not pay his bills, but continue to hunt all over the world, and everything be OK, fellow hunter or not. That just reeks in my book.

Agreed. 3 divorces, illegit kid and other messes. I struggle with the credibility and honor he is supposed stand for being a marine.

Not being American, marine, or anything else special for that matter .. Its a bit shameful how you (NOT) stand up for a guy that dedicated his life protecting your country and done more for African hunting than this website combined.

One of the best things with AR is that we have a lot of guys with ton of experience, why not welcome them with normal questions instead!

Who really cares about his divorces, really ?


Craig we need to see a book about "bears of the world" and Sheep and Ibex, anything planned ?

People here who have passed nasty comments and personal attacks should be ashamed that Anton a foreigner has to remind us of what CB is all about. Let's be clear CB is a gun writer and international hunter who has done more hunting and has more experience than all the jack asses and haters that post here ever will. All his knowledge and experiences have been gained first hand, not hours spent on Internet forums.

I can tell you from personal experience, despite his vast hunting experience he is a humble man in the field and has no airs or pretense about himself. Perhaps his glow is perceived as slipped a bit because he doesn't believe in the BS and made up drama that most hunting shows are all about these days. Whether you do or will ever hunt Africa or the big 5 or marco polo and thus wish to read his accounts of such hunts is not the issue. As a hunting community we are richer for his writings, about places and hunts that are fast disappearing. Since it always seems to come up! I can never understand how his personal finances or love life is anyone's business. He is not promoting or authoring books or making speeches on making money or giving advice on marriage so what the hell is his life experiences in that area got to do with you or me?

If someone wishes to give him a free hunt, that again is not your or my business. In the course of years in this business and yes hunting and writing is a business for some, if he has reached a point in his career where someone wants to give him a free hunt or scope or rifle, more power to him. Every job has its perks!

If you don't like his writings, you can always come on here and read all the "AR experts" views, yes some of our in-house experts comment on every African post but have never set foot in Africa! Other experts have been on 2 or 3 safaris and talk like they have the combined knowledge of John A Hunter, Harry Selby and Buzz Charlton. Others pontificate about their custom rifles and cant shoot for shit.

If you have a miserable life and existence and wish for something better, do something about it, spreading hate and jealousy and BS is not the way to go.

Perhaps you are wildly successful and have made millons and still married to your childhood sweetheart but quickly measure your hunting experience with CBs and you will soon realize where you stand! Because in the context of our association, hunting is the main reason why we are all here in the first place.



Arjun

Arjun......... well said. Could not agree with you more.

Reddy375, best words of the thread. I took a gander through this and all it made me unfortunately is disappointed.

Marriage, finances, that's family business. This is the internet, and here we're at a lower social level and right to comment than the gentleman pumping Boddington's gas. At least they've met.

I'm only getting to know this place for the first time here, and man is there ever an unbelievable amount of sour grapes.


For Mr. Boddington:

Have you ever met a physically bigger PH than Whitey? We followed you guys on lion in the Kalahari. And hey, keep your chin up in the current BS and if you want to hunt mountain goat or grizzly on the BC coast, give us a ring. It could be fun to tell this thread the deal you got.

To all you CB detractors ...

if you think writing hunting/adventure/ outdoor stories that are worth reading, is a walk in the park, I highly suggest you try your own hand at it.

I'm a part time adventure writer. Have hunted the big stuff in Africa. Have had my articles in various magazines from Safari to Dangerous Game Hunting Magazine.

I met Craig while at Afton Guest House a number of years back when I was hunting with Johan Calitz. When he wasn't listening to other hunters, he was running his laptop - at Afton, at the airport, and everywhere else.

If you think dashing off 1500 readable words and six to ten publishable photos isn't work ...

No writer, unless he or she have a two-comma trust fund, can afford to pay for all these hunts. I've invested over $110,00 hunting since 1995. and, I'm damn near broke.

My advice to all you curmudgeons - shoot more, talk less.

On this thread, I am part of the problem on the "moral majority" or "moral police". Call it what you want.

My issue is not his experience or his writings. He has experience and he writes about it. I struggle with accepting the baggage that goes with this. I bought and watched all of his DVD's on buff, leopard and so on. In each, he was selling a variety of products - obviously to pay for the DVD's. On TV, he sells whatever someone pays him to sell.

For example, I followed him into an area in Zambia where he had hunted. He was filming or starring in one of the shows. He was selling Trijicon scopes on this particular show. He shows his rifle and talks about the wonders of this product on the show. The PH told me that the actual Trijicon scope broke and was not fixable on this hunt. I believe but cannot remember if the back up scope failed as well. This PH loaned CB a Leupold. The TV group put black tape around the gold ring and still touted the Trijicon scope on TV.

On the Boddington on Buffalo I dvd, he was selling A-frame bullets, Swarovski optics and Dakota rifles. Later on he is selling Rugers and now Mossbergs.

In his writings, he is very careful not to say anything that is critical of any product. With that, I wonder if I can believe his "experience" when everything he uses is ok or excellent.

We all know about his "used shirt, underwear" selling escapade. We all know about his involvement with Rigby in Paso Robles. We all know about his daughters shooting of a tracker and his efforts to raise money to pay for the mess. We all know about bankruptcy, divorces and his expensive hunts.

I just cannot see the guy as a "celebrity" or someone to emulate or even relate to due to his lifestyle issues and choices.

The fact that he "served" our country is fine. Good on him and it is appreciated - the same as it is appreciated for many, many of our soldiers. But serving the country and being a marine or whatever does not give a free pass on credibility issues or lifestyle choices.

Call this bashing or whatever - it is how I see this and I really won't be asking him any questions.

quote:

Originally posted by poprivit:
To all you CB detractors ...

if you think writing hunting/adventure/ outdoor stories that are worth reading, is a walk in the park, I highly suggest you try your own hand at it.

I'm a part time adventure writer. Have hunted the big stuff in Africa. Have had my articles in various magazines from Safari to Dangerous Game Hunting Magazine.

I met Craig while at Afton Guest House a number of years back when I was hunting with Johan Calitz. When he wasn't listening to other hunters, he was running his laptop - at Afton, at the airport, and everywhere else.

If you think dashing off 1500 readable words and six to ten publishable photos isn't work ...

No writer, unless he or she have a two-comma trust fund, can afford to pay for all these hunts. I've invested over $110,00 hunting since 1995. and, I'm damn near broke.

My advice to all you curmudgeons - shoot more, talk less.

Well said. I agree completely.

When one chooses to make their living in a very public way such as TV or writing, they should expect to have very public comments about every thing they do. It is all part of it. This is true no matter who is involved.

The only use I have for these celebrities is entertainment. I could care less what product they use or their opinion on just about anything. Paid spokesmen don't have any credibility in my book.

I watch CB's show. Sometimes it is good. Sometimes it isn't. Same with his writings.

Regardless whether he is a good guy not not, I would hate to be his age and have to start over financially after a chapter 7. Heck, I would hate that at any age. Good luck to him.