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Published January 25, 2017
This is a rush transcript from "On the Record," June 20, 2014. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: A U.S. Marine who serve our country two tours of duty in Afghanistan left to rot in a Mexican jail. Our next guest served with Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi in Afghanistan. Sergeant Beaux Cochran, Andrew's sergeant and squad leader. He joins us. Good evening, sir.
BEAUX COCHRAN, SERGEANT TAHMOORESSI'S SQUAD LEADER: Good evening, Greta.
VAN SUSTEREN: Tell me, what kind of Marine is Sergeant Tahmooressi?
COCHRAN: Oh, he was a phenomenal Marine, Greta. You know, when you come to the fleet as a junior Marine, it's pretty nerve-wracking, pretty stressful environment. And you know, your senior Marines are in your face a lot. And, you know, Tahmooressi was always the guy who could handle it, he had initiative and there was many times that we've asked him to be in charge of his piers. He's a really great Marine from day one all the way through his first combat tour that I served with him.
VAN SUSTEREN: And so, you were there with the first tour of Afghanistan with him and not his second?
COCHRAN: Correct, Greta. I was his squad leader, his sergeant. He was lance corporal then.
VAN SUSTEREN: What -- you know, as you sit here tonight, and he's rotting in a Mexican jail. What do you think?
COCHRAN: You know, to say it makes me angry would be an understatement, you know. I mean, Tahmooressi, he's no different than the Marine that salutes the president every time he gets on and off Marine One. He's no different than the Marine that held the umbrella over his head when it was raining outside. And there is no doubt in my mind that Tahmooressi would take a bullet for President Obama, any of his Marines would, you know. We got his back. We go to the plate every single day and you know, it'd be nice if he could just get off the bench and get in the game on this topic. You know, we have his back. We've made that clear. You know, by everything we do as Marine's day in and day out. I would just like to hear from him at least a little concern, you know.
We're his Marines. Tahmooressi is his Marine that's getting beaten and is not -- last time I talked to him, Greta. He's getting fed sugar water and bread for dinner. So, I mean, this is a big deal. I would never let one of my Marines get treated as if they are in a P.O.W. Camp on a nation that's supposed to be our ally.
VAN SUSTEREN: You know, Sergeant Tahmooressi suffers from PTSD. When you have any sort of contact with him. Is it the name -- does it manifest itself in any way or do you think it has any impact on his time in prison?
COCHRAN: You know, possibly, Greta. You know, I mean, this guy he was a fighter. He's train from the world's most elite fighting organization. So, when I talked to him he felt a little -- he sounded a little calm and cool. But I could tell that is he's a little stressed out. He doesn't want to be there. I know that he went to California and initially to get PTSD treatment. And, Greta, on the first appointment, I seen him hit one of the biggest IED's I've seen in my life. That was my third combat. And you know, if he'd been in a humvee, he probably wouldn't have this issue right now. Luckily he survived that IED blast. So, there's no doubt in my mind that he does have post traumatic stress disorder. And I really would like to see the president step up and get him back so he can seek treatment.
VAN SUSTEREN: So, what would you like to say to President Obama tonight?
COCHRAN: I would like to say, sir, you know, we care. You got a lot of U.S. Marines who are here watching this. And watching what you do. And we want to see that you will go to bat for us, that you have our back in a time of need. Because, we clearly have yours and we've never let anything happen to you. So, be nice to just feel the same to know that our politicians have our back and we are, you know, even after we've completed our service.
VAN SUSTEREN: You know it's interesting. During the break I got an email from someone who's a navy veteran who served at San Diego area and lived there he said he's made the same traffic mistake at least twice and others do as well. So for a simple mistake since March 31st, Sergeant Tahmooressi is sitting in a prison. Unbelievable.
COCHRAN: It is unbelievable, Greta. And the only thing I can think of is maybe a possible liberal backlash if he goes to the aid of a gun owner. But, I mean, I would think that -- who cares if he's a gun owner. He's an American, a Marine that served two combat tours honorably. There's no reason for him to be left down there like this. And I've got a lot of buddies including myself we're very angry over this issue.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well just even on the gun issue. The fact that the Mexicans didn't charge him, Mexican prosecutors with smuggling, but simple possession is in the case that they didn't think that he was up to no good, that it was an innocent possession, he even told them about it. But anyway, sergeant, thank you very much. And I hope we can get some attention and I hope we can get your fellow marine home soon.
COCHRAN: Thank you, Greta. Thank you for everything.
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