SC

Follow-Up File: National Guard Theft

Multiple sources familiar with a recent theft at the National Guard Armory in Williamston, S.C. are coming forward to identify the State Guardsmen allegedly responsible for the heist. According to our sources, Command Sergeant Major Robert Suchka and First Sergeant Steve Petrofsky – both of the S.C. State Guard –…

Multiple sources familiar with a recent theft at the National Guard Armory in Williamston, S.C. are coming forward to identify the State Guardsmen allegedly responsible for the heist.

According to our sources, Command Sergeant Major Robert Suchka and First Sergeant Steve Petrofsky – both of the S.C. State Guard – are being questioned in connection with the alleged theft. One has reportedly even admitted his role in the heist to federal investigators.

The incident took place in “late 2012” – although details of what was stolen have yet to be made public. All we know at this point is no weaponry was taken (which we suppose is the first thing to be concerned about if there’s a theft at an armory).

We’re also told S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom – who in addition to his fiduciary post serves as commander of the S.C. State Guard (despite a Constitutional prohibition against dual-office holding) – “would not discipline these guys or kick them out of the SC State Guard.”

FITS attempted to reach Eckstrom for comment regarding this matter a week ago but our messages were not returned.

As we’ve noted on numerous occasions the S.C. State Guard – which serves in a “support” role to the National Guard – is a totally superfluous entity which ought to be disbanded.

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30 comments

Robert February 20, 2013 at 9:07 pm

Still wondering what can be stolen from a long ago closed armory.

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Robert February 20, 2013 at 8:07 pm

Still wondering what can be stolen from a long ago closed armory.

Reply
CNSYD February 20, 2013 at 9:41 pm

The Guard receives a grand total of $100k from the GA. None of the Guard members receives pay. Other states, for example LA, have requested SC to send the guard during times of natural disasters such as Katrina to supplement their forces. Not sure what Sic Willie’s big deal about this is other than his hatred of Eckstrom.

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CNSYD February 20, 2013 at 8:41 pm

The Guard receives a grand total of $100k from the GA. None of the Guard members receives pay. Other states, for example LA, have requested SC to send the guard during times of natural disasters such as Katrina to supplement their forces. Not sure what Sic Willie’s big deal about this is other than his hatred of Eckstrom.

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Sarge February 20, 2013 at 10:07 pm

The guys I know in this SC State Guard are great, committed men who are the ones who would do anything to help someone in need. I believe they are an under appreciated group.

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Sarge February 21, 2013 at 2:22 am

The State Guard was well thought of. then they elected Eckstrom to be its head. That was dumb and now they will pay the price for it.

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Sarge February 20, 2013 at 9:07 pm

The guys I know in this SC State Guard are great, committed men who are the ones who would do anything to help someone in need. I believe they are an under appreciated group.

Reply
Sarge February 21, 2013 at 1:22 am

The State Guard was well thought of. then they elected Eckstrom to be its head. That was dumb and now they will pay the price for it.

Reply
Constantine February 21, 2013 at 6:20 am

Fits the State Constitutions provision against dual-office holding doesn’t apply to service in the militia. Come on now seriously you know that, don’t you remember when Sanford was sued for being in the Air Force Reserve.

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CNSYD February 21, 2013 at 9:15 am

Constantine,

How many times do you have to be told? STOP injecting truth and/or logic in Sic Willie’s agenda!

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Darth February 21, 2013 at 11:12 am

Indeed, even’s Fits infatuation with currnet AFRes JAG officer Lindsey “light in the loafers” Graham makes the issue one of who Wil fives a pass and who he cires about cause they didn’t use lube.

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nitrat February 21, 2013 at 6:34 pm

Eeeeeckstrom is not IN the State Guard is he? Wasn’t he just appointed by Trikki to be the bureaucrat in charge?

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Constantine February 21, 2013 at 6:42 pm

No he’s in the State Guard. Commander of it I think, but I believe that he was appointed to that by the Adjutant General I believe.

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Constantine February 21, 2013 at 5:20 am

Fits the State Constitutions provision against dual-office holding doesn’t apply to service in the militia. Come on now seriously you know that, don’t you remember when Sanford was sued for being in the Air Force Reserve.

Reply
CNSYD February 21, 2013 at 8:15 am

Constantine,

How many times do you have to be told? STOP injecting truth and/or logic in Sic Willie’s agenda!

Reply
Darth February 21, 2013 at 10:12 am

Indeed, even’s Fits infatuation with currnet AFRes JAG officer Lindsey “light in the loafers” Graham makes the issue one of who Wil fives a pass and who he cires about cause they didn’t use lube.

Reply
nitrat February 21, 2013 at 5:34 pm

Eeeeeckstrom is not IN the State Guard is he? Wasn’t he just appointed by Trikki to be the bureaucrat in charge?

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Constantine February 21, 2013 at 5:42 pm

No he’s in the State Guard. Commander of it I think, but I believe that he was appointed to that by the Adjutant General I believe.

Reply
A True Veteran February 21, 2013 at 9:52 am

The State Guard does cost S.C. taxpayers money in addition to the $100,000 appropriation. These guys get a tax deduction for miles driven and days spent strutting around pretending to be something they are not and for serving no useful purpose. The State Guard of 800 has more generals and colonels than the South Carolina National Guard of 10,000. Also, these aged, pretend officers do not have federal recognition but they hold themselves out to the public as having the rank. The medals they award each other for doing nothing is a laugh. Poseurs all. The State Guard no longer does anything of significance and the organization should be eliminated. This is a great example of government. Even when the agency ceases to have a need, it never goes away. Calling these guys up in an emergency would add to the emergency. They are so old and out of shape what could they really do? Someone would have to take care of them.

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Thad Warthen February 21, 2013 at 1:56 pm

Absolutely wrong to say that because they don’t hold federal rank they are posers. State, county and city police law enforcement and SWAT teams at nuclear plants dont hold federal rank either. I am also a “true veteran” of 30 years in the US Army and these guys are doing great work which is often unknown and underappreciated. The State Guard also has more Rangers and Special Forces Soldiers in their ranks than does the entire SC National Guard which is much larger.

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A True Veteran February 21, 2013 at 7:33 pm

Those that you mentioned don’t dress up like and hold themselves out to be U.S. Army Colonels or Generals, or give themselves chests full of medals for doing nothing. I stand by my statement. I agree that their “great work” stands unknown. How about sharing it with us. Don’t count riding around in golf carts at The Carolina Cup looking like dufuses, or just showing up somewhere and getting in the way. Also, I question your statement about more rangers and special forces. I am not sure that fact, even if true, has any significance as neither that State or the National Guard in S.C. has any of those units. Where do you get your facts? In any event, I am sure there are some honorable men in the State Guard who have served our nation honorably. It doesn’t change the facts that this organization has not been needed since the cold war went away, and that many in the State Guard are wanna’ be pretenders..

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Mike at the Beach February 21, 2013 at 11:42 pm

Sorry Thad- I hear what you’re saying about those other groups (who aren’t trying to look like active duty military soldiers), but the fact that there may be a few decent dudes in among the posers at the State Guard doesn’t change the fact that they are, as an organization, worthless. If they truly wanted to be a support group, they wouldn’t wear lets-play-dress-up uniforms that look (to an untrained civilian / layperson’s eye) like an actual soldier’s uniform; they would wear a genuinely distinctive uniform, or no uniform at all. The ranks, titles, awards- all ripoffs of actual military service. For those State Guard folks who are actually vets, I can only imagine that they’re reaching for somethingin their past. having worn the real uniform for a while, I would be embarrassed to be associated with them. It’s not just the folks on here, either. I haven’t found any serious person (who’s aware of the State Guard) who doesn’t think it’s a sad little joke.

Reply
A True Veteran February 21, 2013 at 8:52 am

The State Guard does cost S.C. taxpayers money in addition to the $100,000 appropriation. These guys get a tax deduction for miles driven and days spent strutting around pretending to be something they are not and for serving no useful purpose. The State Guard of 800 has more generals and colonels than the South Carolina National Guard of 10,000. Also, these aged, pretend officers do not have federal recognition but they hold themselves out to the public as having the rank. The medals they award each other for doing nothing is a laugh. Poseurs all. The State Guard no longer does anything of significance and the organization should be eliminated. This is a great example of government. Even when the agency ceases to have a need, it never goes away. Calling these guys up in an emergency would add to the emergency. They are so old and out of shape what could they really do? Someone would have to take care of them.

Reply
Thad Warthen February 21, 2013 at 12:56 pm

Absolutely wrong to say that because they don’t hold federal rank they are posers. State, county and city police law enforcement and SWAT teams at nuclear plants dont hold federal rank either. I am also a “true veteran” of 30 years in the US Army and these guys are doing great work which is often unknown and underappreciated. The State Guard also has more Rangers and Special Forces Soldiers in their ranks than does the entire SC National Guard which is much larger.

Reply
A True Veteran February 21, 2013 at 6:33 pm

Those that you mentioned don’t dress up like and hold themselves out to be U.S. Army Colonels or Generals, or give themselves chests full of medals for doing nothing. I stand by my statement. I agree that their “great work” stands unknown. How about sharing it with us. Don’t count riding around in golf carts at The Carolina Cup looking like dufuses, or just showing up somewhere and getting in the way. Also, I question your statement about more rangers and special forces. I am not sure that fact, even if true, has any significance as neither that State or the National Guard in S.C. has any of those units. Where do you get your facts? In any event, I am sure there are some honorable men in the State Guard who have served our nation honorably. It doesn’t change the facts that this organization has not been needed since the cold war went away, and that many in the State Guard are wanna’ be pretenders..

Reply
Mike at the Beach February 21, 2013 at 10:42 pm

Sorry Thad- I hear what you’re saying about those other groups (who aren’t trying to look like active duty military soldiers), but the fact that there may be a few decent dudes in among the posers at the State Guard doesn’t change the fact that they are, as an organization, worthless. If they truly wanted to be a support group, they wouldn’t wear lets-play-dress-up uniforms that look (to an untrained civilian / layperson’s eye) like an actual soldier’s uniform; they would wear a genuinely distinctive uniform, or no uniform at all. The ranks, titles, awards- all ripoffs of actual military service. For those State Guard folks who are actually vets, I can only imagine that they’re reaching for somethingin their past. having worn the real uniform for a while, I would be embarrassed to be associated with them. It’s not just the folks on here, either. I haven’t found any serious person (who’s aware of the State Guard) who doesn’t think it’s a sad little joke.

Reply
watchdog February 21, 2013 at 1:12 pm

regardless how you ro I feel about Ekstrom, putting his photo at th top of this story is misleading and journalist malpractice. what if your photo appeared above a story on a kiddie porn arrest?

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watchdog February 21, 2013 at 12:12 pm

regardless how you ro I feel about Ekstrom, putting his photo at th top of this story is misleading and journalist malpractice. what if your photo appeared above a story on a kiddie porn arrest?

Reply
Faith February 22, 2013 at 7:41 pm

FITS forgot to do his homework on this one…….

ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3 or the S.C. Constitution:

No person may hold two offices of honor or profit at the same time. This limitation does not apply to officers in the militia, notaries public, members of lawfully and regularly organized fire departments, constables, or delegates to a constitutional convention. (1972 (57) 3181; 1973 (58) 83; 1989 Act No. 9.) (empasis added.)

There term “militia is defined in the S.C. Code, and it includes the State Guard.

Reply
Faith February 22, 2013 at 6:41 pm

FITS forgot to do his homework on this one…….

ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3 or the S.C. Constitution:

No person may hold two offices of honor or profit at the same time. This limitation does not apply to officers in the militia, notaries public, members of lawfully and regularly organized fire departments, constables, or delegates to a constitutional convention. (1972 (57) 3181; 1973 (58) 83; 1989 Act No. 9.) (empasis added.)

There term “militia is defined in the S.C. Code, and it includes the State Guard.

Reply

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