‘Misdirected Midshipman’

I was amazed and outraged upon reading Richard Petrino’s article. He recalls an incident 18 years ago when they were both at the U.S. Naval Academy. Petrino, who “was the brigade commander, the highest ranking midshipman at the academy and ostensibly the personification of the highest standards and ideals of military leadership,” comes across North walking through the halls. Petrino was on duty, it was after “lights out,” and we come to find out that North was attempting to change his medical records, which contained information about serious injuries he had received in an automobile accident.

In Petrino’s own words “There was no question that this would be wrong, but I said nothing . . . I was more concerned about the risk that he was taking.” If Petrino had done his job and reported North for being up and about when he shouldn’t, as well as trying to change his medical records North, President Reagan and more important, the entire country may not be mired in the mess we are in now.

One thing is clear to me however, North is no hero, he thinks only of himself not his country, and Petrino is a poor example of someone who was put in a leadership position at the U.S. Naval Academy.

KEVIN KENNEDY

Carson