A high-ranking U.S. Army general's career comes to an abrupt end amid allegations of improper influence in a subordinate officer's promotion process.
According to Task & Purpose, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has dismissed Gen. Charles Hamilton from his position as commander of Army Materiel Command following an investigation that revealed he attempted to pressure Army officials into promoting a lieutenant colonel under his mentorship.
The Department of the Army Inspector General investigation uncovered evidence of Hamilton's undue influence in the Battalion Commander Assessment Program (BCAP).
The probe also revealed an "overly familiar relationship" between Hamilton and the female lieutenant colonel, though investigators found no definitive evidence of a sexual relationship.
Investigation Reveals Misconduct
The investigation began after an anonymous complaint in December 2023 alleged an inappropriate relationship between Hamilton and the lieutenant colonel.
While the Defense Department Inspector General's Office initially closed the case in January, it was later reopened and referred to the Army Inspector General's Office in March.
Investigators discovered several concerning elements in Hamilton's conduct, including communication via personal email, masked contact information, and undocumented joint travel to St. Louis. The general had also awarded the lieutenant colonel, then a major, with a Legion of Merit – an honor typically reserved for retiring colonels or one-star officers.
Hamilton's actions included attempting to observe the lieutenant colonel's Army Comprehensive Talent Interview, requesting early access to her peer reviews, and contacting multiple general officers serving on assessment panels. These interventions represented unprecedented interference in the BCAP process.
Hamilton Defends Actions
In his defense, Hamilton wrote to Secretary Wormuth in August, arguing that his advocacy was transparent and stemmed from concerns about systemic bias in the Army's promotion process. He specifically addressed the challenges faced by minority officers in the Command Assessment Program.
Hamilton stated in his final remarks to Task & Purpose:
It was my greatest honor to serve our nation and I've been blessed beyond what I've deserved to lead our troops for the past 43 years. Today, that service comes to a close. And, as the song tells us, the Army keeps rolling along. While I wish I was able to complete my command, we all take the uniform off and we don't always control the timing. I look forward to continuing to serve our nation in new ways.
The investigation ultimately concluded that Hamilton's explanation about advocating for systemic bias concerns did not align with the evidence. His actions were deemed to have undermined trust in the BCAP process across the Army.
Aftermath and Consequences
Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan has assumed the role of acting commander of Army Materiel Command while the Army seeks a permanent replacement. The incident has prompted Secretary Wormuth to issue a directive formally establishing CAP as an enduring Army program to reinforce its integrity.
The Army's decision to remove one of its twelve four-star generals demonstrates the serious nature of Hamilton's actions and their impact on the service's promotion system. The case has highlighted the delicate balance between mentorship and maintaining the integrity of the Army's personnel selection processes.
