The garrison commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, was fired in October after an Army investigation found he'd cheated on his wife, misused a government credit card and failed to register private firearms he kept in his on-base residence.

Col. Thomas Munsey told investigators that the affair was "a poor decision" and that the firearms concern was "an oversight," according to documents provided to Army Times after a request made under the Freedom of Information Act. The unauthorized credit card charges stemmed from two dinners bought by Munsey totaling $173, one of which he told investigators was with the civilian woman with whom he'd had the affair.

Munsey said he met the woman in Washington, D.C., in May — the month before he took the Bliss assignment — and the adultery took place in July. The dinners came in August, on a separate trip to the East Coast that did not involve sexual contact, Munsey told investigators.

"I understand [the affair is] counter to good order and discipline and everything we believe in," he said. "This person was a civilian, it was consensual, but that's what I did."

The woman also sent Munsey cards and letters, some of which were included as evidence in the investigation. Munsey's wife found the letters Sept. 26 in "an opened envelope while cleaning COL Munsey's closet," the report says. She "became upset" and asked her husband to return home from work. The resulting argument led to another individual, whose name was redacted from the report, calling emergency services.

Three days later, Maj. Gen. Stephen Twitty, commanding general of Fort Bliss and 1st Armored Division, appointed Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas to investigate the matter. Munsey was suspended from his position as garrison commander in mid-October, then relieved Oct. 31. Quintas' report is dated Oct. 8.

The report also included images of several long guns and a pistol belonging to Munsey, none of which he'd registered, a procedure required of gun owners within 72 hours of arriving at Fort Bliss. The firearms were registered less than a week before the report was filed "and secured in a [division artillery] arms room," the report states.

Munsey deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan during a military career that began in 1992, according to an online biography since removed from Fort Bliss' website. His awards include a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters and a Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

He remains on active duty at the base. He did not respond to emails seeking comment; in October, Munsey refused to comment on matter citing the ongoing investigation. Munsey's wife also declined comment.

Col. Mike Hester took over command of the garrison Feb. 10.

About Kevin Lilley

Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.

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