EL PASO, Texas -- A Fort Bliss soldier sentenced to 15 years in prison for the drunken driving death of Valerie Talamantes has been discharged from the U.S. Army.

During his sentencing, his defense attorney and the presiding judge criticized the Army and Fort Bliss for not taking better care of their soldiers.

Before sentencing Staff Sgt. Edison Bayas on July 28, Judge Gonzalo Garcia said that there's a problem with servicemen and women involving themselves in reckless and violent behavior.

For the first time since the sentencing Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Col. Edward Manning has responded to the sentence.

"This soldier served in a variety of places and I'm not sure what those chains of command did. He wasn't one of my soldiers. But I'll tell you that we expect soldiers and leaders of all ranks to do the right thing," said Manning.

In the early hours of Dec. 29, 2007. Bayas was driving drunk when he rammed into Valerie Talamante's car as she waited at a red light on Hawkins Boulevard and Montana Avenue. Bayas pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In closing arguments, his defense attorney said the Army should be a co-defendant because when he got DWI's in 1993 and 1994, the Army still awarded him with good conduct medals.

"I've seen this, I don't know how many times, Garcia said. "They have returned and within 10 or 11 days, they're involved in some reckless violent behavior."

KFOX asked Manning to respond.

"If it was me, I'd be looking at, this guy ought not to represent the Army and represent the nation and lead soldiers if he can't do that and would cost him separation. Why that didn't happen and what other things the commander wade as he took a look at both sides of the equation and decided to keep him, I don't know?" said Manning.

Manning said a lot of things could have been factors contributing to Bayas' situation. But he says the public shouldn't judge the Army for the actions of one soldier.

"Fort Bliss is a huge part of El Paso. We have 20,000 soldiers on this post and one or two have done something wrong and that's not to taint the rest who are doing fantastic things," said Manning.

Bayas has been separated from the Army as a private and he will lose all his benefits.