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A decorated field artillery officer and former West Point garrison commander says one strange night derailed 27 years of service—and exposed how fragile due process can be on a military post. Tony Bianchi recounts leading a week of storm recovery, an alumni dinner where a trivial carving-station moment sparked a rumor, and a late drive home later portrayed as a gate run. Hours after he went to bed, senior MPs gathered behind his house and colleagues woke him at 2:45 AM—an entry a DMV judge would later label a Fourth Amendment violation.

We trace the aftermath: suspension, relief, and a permanently filed GOMOR before any federal charge; no AR 15-6 despite conflicts; and video the government held that undercut its narrative. Tony describes why he refused chemical tests, what happened in the station, and how leaders leaned on “legally sufficient” while ignoring common sense. In court, a jury acquitted him of DWI and disorderly conduct, leaving only a stop-sign violation. A Grade Determination Review Board kept his O6 retirement. His FTCA claim and GOMOR appeal continue.

This is a candid inside view of military justice shaped by command-level turf fights, MP overreach, and leaders outsourcing judgment to legal advisors. Tony isn’t trying to burn the institution—he’s a West Point grad who loves the Army. He’s asking for better investigations, real accountability, and leaders willing to weigh facts over optics. If a garrison commander can be pulled into a federal case on such thin grounds, what protects everyone else?

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The stories and opinions shared on Stories of Service are told in each guest’s own words. They reflect personal experiences, memories, and perspectives. While every effort is made to present these stories respectfully and authentically, Stories of Service does not verify the accuracy or completeness of every statement. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the host, producers, or affiliates.

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