My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague: Clint Lorance- Hero or Villain?

Monday, September 15, 2025

Clint Lorance- Hero or Villain?

This posting is inspired after my viewing of the TV Documentary(2019), Leavenworth on the Starz Channel the other day. I have a vague recollection of this event as well as the details on Clint Lorance. So I searched and queried one of my virtual writing Assistants. Here's what I learned. It is a very complex true story, with messy intersection of combat, law, politics, gays in the military and the human cost and the trauma effects of war.

Here is a write-up on Clint Lorance: his life; the TV / docu-series Leavenworth; how his case affected his former platoon comrades, and what they’re doing now.

The Early Life & Military Career of Clint Lorance

Clint Allen Lorance was born December 13, 1984, in Hobart, Oklahoma. His father, Tracy, was a welder; his mother, Anna, a homemaker. He later moved with his family to Greenville, Texas. Hachette Book Group+3United American Patriots+3Wikipedia+3

After high school and some community college, Lorance enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday, December 13, 2002. United American Patriots+2Military.com+2 He served in Korea, then in Iraq (including guard duty over detainees), eventually finishing a BA at the University of North Texas, going through ROTC, and being commissioned as a second lieutenant. Wikipedia+2United American Patriots+2

In 2012, while in the 82nd Airborne Division, Lorance took command of 1st Platoon, C Troop, 4th Brigade Combat Team. He became the platoon leader after the previous lieutenant was wounded. Military.com+4Wikipedia+4The Washington Post+4

The Incident & Court-Martial

On July 2, 2012, just a few days into his command, Lorance ordered his soldiers to open fire on three Afghan men on a motorcycle in Kandahar Province. Two of the men were killed, one wounded. According to prosecution and portions of testimony, the men were unarmed civilians; according to Lorance and his supporters, there was intelligence or reason to believe a threat was imminent (e.g. insurgent activity, possible bomb-makers). California Sunday Magazine+5Wikipedia+5University of Chicago Law School+5

Nine members of his platoon testified against him at the court-martial. They alleged that he gave the order despite there being no hostile act or immediate threat. Plenty of the case hinged on what the rules of engagement allowed, whether Lorance had enough information, visibility, etc. The Washington Post+3Wikipedia+3University of Chicago Law School+3

In August 2013, Lorance was found guilty of two counts of unpremeditated murder, obstruction of justice, solicitation of false statements, etc. He was sentenced to 20 years (later reduced to 19) by the reviewing commander. He was confined in the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth for six years. United American Patriots+3Wikipedia+3Military.com+3

Leavenworth (TV / Docuseries)

The Starz (and associated) documentary Leavenworth (2019) tells Lorance’s story: his early life, military service, the incident, trial, and aftermath. It includes interviews with Lorance, members of his platoon, legal analysts, journalists, and others. It explores conflicting perspectives: Lorance’s claim he acted to protect his men; critics’ claim he overstepped, panicked, misread the situation. Apple TV+2IMDb+2

It also focuses heavily on how the platoon was affected — not only by that single incident, but by what came after: legal battles, public opinions, media attention, and the personal costs of trauma. The Washington Post+1

Pardon, Education & Current Life

After serving six years in prison, Lorance was pardoned by President Donald Trump on November 15, 2019. Wikipedia+2Military.com+2

Since his release:

He wrote Stolen Honor: Falsely Accused, Imprisoned, and My Long Road to Freedom (2020). Hachette Book Group+1
He also published Conservative Millennial Playbook in 2021. Wikipedia+1
He enrolled in Appalachian School of Law; he graduated in May 2023. Wikipedia+1
In mid-2023, he applied to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam. There is controversy: some former members of his platoon and others oppose his admission, arguing his actions and conduct show he may lack the moral fitness expected of a lawyer. Army Times+2ABA Journal+2
There remain legal and reputational battles: efforts to regain veteran benefits, challenges over whether the pardon clears all legal consequences, etc. Military.com+1

The Life of His Former Platoon Members & Aftermath

The impact on 1st Platoon has been significant. Some key themes & examples:

Many veterans from that platoon report deep trauma: PTSD, struggles with mental health, substance abuse. The Washington Post+1
There have been several deaths among the platoon’s former members since returning home. Five of the roughly three dozen soldiers from 1st Platoon have died by 2019. The Washington Post+1
One of the more public examples is James O. Twist, a member of the platoon, who died by suicide shortly before Lorance’s pardon. The Washington Post+1
Others have expressed feeling betrayed or disillusioned: believing that despite their testimony, despite what they saw, the outcome (including the pardon) minimized their experiences, or re-traumatized them. The Washington Post

Some other platoon members have spoken out publicly, writing opinion pieces, being interviewed, or expressing that Lorance’s attempts to join the Bar or practice law are troubling given how they remember what happened. Army Times

Ethical, Legal, and Moral Questions Raised

Lorance’s story raises many difficult questions:

When is it justifiable for a commanding officer to use deadly force under uncertain threat? How should rules of engagement be interpreted, especially in chaotic combat settings?
What obligations do military justice systems have to fully disclose evidence, especially regarding intelligence, biometrics, or battlefield context?
What are the long-term consequences for soldiers who are under command decisions they believe to be wrong (morale, mental health)? How should political or media interventions affect military justice?
What does a presidential pardon accomplish? Does it erase all stigma? Legal impediments (like character fitness for professions)? How do former comrades perceive it?

Reflections

Clint Lorance’s life and the Leavenworth series present a complex, messy intersection of combat, law, politics, gays in the military and human cost. On one side, there are those who view him as someone who made a split-second decision under duress, possibly mis-informed, punished severely, and later wrongfully kept from full fairness. On the other side are those who believe he bore responsibility for tragedy, that his orders were legally/doctrinally wrong, that accountability is necessary for both victims abroad and for soldiers under his command.

The emotional toll on his platoon—many of whom feel their voices weren’t fully heard or respected—is profound. Indeed, as The Washington Post described in “The Cursed Platoon,”💚 the platoon feels that the pardon re-arranged the narrative in ways that undermined what they lived through. The Washington Post

Possible Incomplete / Contested Points & Why They Matter

Whether Lorance’s pardon legally restores all his rights (veterans benefits, GI Bill, ability to practice law, etc.) is still subject to debate. Military.com+2Army Times+2
Whether he has officially been admitted to a state Bar (Oklahoma, Missouri, etc.) is murky. Some reports say he applied; others report public objections. Facebook+1

How much of the purported evidence of “bomb-makers” among the Afghans killed was available to the defense at trial is controversial—and whether some of it was withheld, or if it would have been admissible. Here's the video on the Cursed Platoon

💚 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo0Te327cvw

Meanwhile, here’s a list of winners from the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards (2025). ABC7 Los Angeles+4WNWO+4ABC News+4

Major Categories & Acting / Writing / Directing

Category	Winner
Outstanding Drama Series	The Pitt WNWO+2ABC7 Los Angeles+2
Outstanding Comedy Series	The Studio WNWO+2The National Desk+2
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series or Movie	Adolescence WNWO+2ABC7 Los Angeles+2
Lead Actress, Drama Series	Britt Lower, Severance WNWO+1
Lead Actor, Drama Series	Noah Wyle, The Pitt WNWO+1
Lead Actress, Comedy Series	Jean Smart, Hacks WNWO+1
Lead Actor, Comedy Series	Seth Rogen, The Studio WNWO+1
Lead Actress, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie	Cristin Milioti, The Penguin WNWO+1
Lead Actor, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie	Stephen Graham, Adolescence WNWO+1
Supporting Actress, Drama Series	Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt WNWO+1
Supporting Actor, Drama Series	Tramell Tillman, Severance WNWO+1
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series	Hannah Einbinder WNWO+1
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series	Jeff Hiller WNWO+1
Supporting Actress, Limited/Anthology	Erin Doherty, Adolescence WNWO
Supporting Actor, Limited/Anthology	Owen Cooper, Adolescence WNWO
Directing, Drama Series	Adam Randall, Slow Horses WNWO+1
Directing, Comedy Series	Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, The Studio WNWO
Directing, Limited/Anthology Series or Movie	Philip Barantini, Adolescence WNWO
Writing, Drama Series	Dan Gilroy, Andor WNWO+1
Writing, Comedy Series	Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory & Frida Perez, The Studio WNWO+1
Writing, Limited/Anthology Series Or Movie	Jack Thorne & Stephen Graham, Adolescence WNWO
Scripted Variety Series	Last Week Tonight with John Oliver WNWO+1
Live Variety Special	SNL50: The Anniversary Special WNWO+1
Reality Competition Program	The Traitors WNWO+1
Talk Series	The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

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Highlights of My Professional Career

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.

My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.

The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.

Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.

My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.

My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.

One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.
The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.

One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.

My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.

Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.

This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.

In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.

Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.

In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.

After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.

In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.

As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.

It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.

In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.” I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.

There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing one’s job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with one’s immediate supervisor. Working individually develops one’s skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.

Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops one’s skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like: