wkmac
Well-Known Member
http://newsproject.org/videos/68
I know in other threads the issue of soldier actions in the field have been hotly contested and as I said in one of those threads, I've stayed out of that discussion because IMHO "if" those actions did occur, they would not have happened had the foreign policy of the US Gov't been different. Change to policy and the soldier never would have been in that position in the first place. I don't consider this (the soldier) a root cause but if anything a symptom and I'm not passing judgment (either way) on any soldier as to his innocense or guilt in any action. I'll leave that for others to debate. I'll just say, until you find yourself in those conditions, when a split second means your life or death, you just can't imagine the pressure no matter how well trained you are. The Goals of War are one thing but in the field when it's you and your weapon and the other guy and his, it just comes down to the pure survival of the strong and the politics of it all don't mean a damn thing. My goal is to live beyond this day no matter what it takes. That is the simplistic ideal of the soldier in a combat situation.
If however, if the above in the video is true, it is a sad statement indeed and if any soldier has action taken against him for such, then IMO similar charges should go up the chain all the way to the top and yes I mean the Oval office! Some may argue the Code of Military Conduct and I can conceed that point to a point but in the field of battle and when that field has been placed among civilians on purpose by the higher chain of command, then unless anyone can show me gross violations, I blame any and all incidents on the chain of command all the way to the top. I'll leave it all at that!
JMHO
I know in other threads the issue of soldier actions in the field have been hotly contested and as I said in one of those threads, I've stayed out of that discussion because IMHO "if" those actions did occur, they would not have happened had the foreign policy of the US Gov't been different. Change to policy and the soldier never would have been in that position in the first place. I don't consider this (the soldier) a root cause but if anything a symptom and I'm not passing judgment (either way) on any soldier as to his innocense or guilt in any action. I'll leave that for others to debate. I'll just say, until you find yourself in those conditions, when a split second means your life or death, you just can't imagine the pressure no matter how well trained you are. The Goals of War are one thing but in the field when it's you and your weapon and the other guy and his, it just comes down to the pure survival of the strong and the politics of it all don't mean a damn thing. My goal is to live beyond this day no matter what it takes. That is the simplistic ideal of the soldier in a combat situation.
If however, if the above in the video is true, it is a sad statement indeed and if any soldier has action taken against him for such, then IMO similar charges should go up the chain all the way to the top and yes I mean the Oval office! Some may argue the Code of Military Conduct and I can conceed that point to a point but in the field of battle and when that field has been placed among civilians on purpose by the higher chain of command, then unless anyone can show me gross violations, I blame any and all incidents on the chain of command all the way to the top. I'll leave it all at that!
JMHO