Randy Watt

Infobox Military Person
name= Steven 'Randy' Watt


caption=Watt speaking at the FBI National Academy
born=
died=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
nickname=
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branch=U.S. Special Forces
serviceyears=
rank=Lt. Col.
unit=19th Special Forces Group
commands=
battles=Battle of Ayub Kheyl
awards= Three bronze stars (one with Valor device), a Meritorious Service Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge
relations=
laterwork=Lt. Col. Steven 'Randy' Watt is an American Special Forces soldier who commands the 1st Battalion of the 19th Special Forces Group.Bruce, Becky and Sandra Yi. KSL-TV, [http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=2694760 Man sentenced for falsifying military honors] , February 2008]

As a Major, Watt had been in Afghanistan since December 2001, and led the Special Forces assault team that attacked the compound in Ayub Kheyl where Omar Khadr was captured on July 27, 2002. The team consisted of Watt, XO Captain Mike Silver, Sgt Christopher Speer from Delta Force, Layne Morris and Master Sgt. Scotty Hansen, both from the 19th Special Forces Group and two others.Shephard, Michelle. Toronto Star. [http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/208502 Khadr goes on trial] , April 29, 2007] Watt and Hansen were both credited with running forward under fire to pull two bodies to safety, although sources differ on whether it was two wounded Americans including Layne Morris, or two dead Afghan militiamen.House, Dawn. Salt Lake City Tribune. "Utah Soldiers Return to Honors", October 23, 2002]

Although nominated for a Silver Star, he was instead awarded the lower Bronze Star for his actions. [Leavitt, Mike. ", January 21, 2003]

A native of Ogden, Utah, Watt is a graduate of Weber State University and University of Phoenix. [http://www.utahfbinaa.org/id19.html 2007 Fall Conference Training] ] serves as Assistant Police Chief in the city.Gurrister, Tim. [http://www.standard.net/live/news/116715 Iraqi interpreter's different worlds] , October 21, 2007]

Watt was stationed in Afghanistan until December 2002. [Lakshmanan , Indira and John Donnelly. Boston Globe, [http://www.boston.com/news/packages/sept11/anniversary/globe_stories/090902_qaeda.htm The hunt for Al Qaeda] , September 9, 2002]

In 2004, he was quoted in the "Salt Lake Tribune" as stating ""We're arrogant. We think everyone knows what democracy is and wants it... but you can't change something in six months that took 6,000 years to create. If we don't help the transitional government get the warlords out of power and give democracy time to sprout, the country will revert back to anarchy."House, Dawn. "Salt Lake Tribune", "Some troops doubt Afghanistan effort is adequate", March 20, 2004]

In December 2005, he was in Brazil for a three-day National Tactical Officers Association training course for Brazilian special forces, in preparation for the 2007 Pan American Games. [ [http://www.m16clinic.com/brazil/ M16 Viper and NOTA in Brazil] ]

Watt was deployed to Iraq, training Sadr City police, from July 2006 until June 2007, and helped his interpreter Falah Al-Baldawi move his family to the United States. He returned saying that he no longer considered himself a "hardline President Bush supporter", like he had while in Afghanistan. [StandardNET, " [http://www.standard.net/live.php/News/109218/?printable=story Even Iraqis want out] ", July 19, 2007]

In February 2008, Lt. Col. Watt was interviewed after the trial of Anthony Calderone, a Special Forces soldier in Watt's group who falsified his military awards. Watt said that nothing could "recover the lost honor for the U.S. Army" following Calderone's actions. Although he didn't know Calderone personally, Watt served as his company commander in 1992, and was called to testify at his trial.Tan, Michelle. Army Times, " [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/army_medals_faker_071125/ Reserve major faces jail over phony medals] ", November 27, 2007]

He was profiled in the ABC special, “Profiles from the Front Line” in 2003, as well as the July/August 2004 edition of "Men’s Health" magazine. [ [http://www.ttpoanetwork.com/Conference/TrainingDescription.aspx?cid=2008035 Course Description ] ]

References