An Air Force general has been dismissed after a series of drunken shenanigans during an official trip to Moscow last month.
Maj. Gen. Michael J. Carey, who supervised a handful of the United State's intercontinental ballistic missiles, has been removed from his position of commander of the 20th Air Force. He's been accused of drinking excessively, calling guests names and other acts "unbecoming of an officer and gentleman," while on a four-day trip to Moscow this summer.
According to the New York Times, Maj. Gen. Carey's antics were detailed in an inquiry filed shortly after the general's trip.
Following hours of rounds in bars with someone called the "cigar shop lady" in the report, General Carey was seen tripping, stumbling, and slurring his words through Red Square while "pouting and sulking." He also tried to make a band playing at the bar let him participate in the performance.
General Carey additionally allegedly corrected a Russian translator and interrupted various speakers, the Times reported, acting "in a manner that exceeded the limits of accepted standards and good conduct."
After reports of Carey's actions came to light, the General was sent a "letter of counseling," along with moves to a special assistant position for the commander of the Air Force's Space Command.
Carey's case comes amid multiple accusations of misconduct against senior military officers. Many have been investigated, disciplined and even let go over sexual assault, financial missteps or poor judgment cases.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey has issued a call for new training programs for general and admirals, in the wake of a number of scandals.
"You can have someone of incredible character who can't lead their way out of a forward operating base because they don't have the competence to understand the application of military power, and that doesn't do me any good," General Dempsey said during an interview earlier this year. "Conversely, you can have someone who is intensely competent, who is steeped in the skills of the profession, but doesn't live a life of character. And that doesn't do me any good."
