Originally posted by Edbert1
Can't argue with that at all but I have to ask...guilty of what?
Guilty of summary execution of completely innocent non-combatants.
OR...
Guilty of eliminating a group of terrorits sympathizers who helped cause the death of their squadmate.
OR...
Guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and guilty of being chosen to take a fall in order to keep some officer/politician's arse outta the fire.
I'm not going to go through this point by point, I'm just using your post as it has some nice points regarding feelings some, or many, on the board are posting.
The violations, if there are ones would be this. Violating the rules of war. There are set guidelines for the treatment of non combatants, sympathizers, insurgents and active combatants. Once located and detained there are strict guidelines that have to be followed. Failure to do so violates international agreements and the UCMJ as those who do not follow procedures will have violated standing orders.
This also comes under the "following illegal orders" bit that many have posted. If an Officer or NCO orders the summary execution, not only is the act illegal under the UCMJ (murder) the following of an illegal order is also illegal as they are obligated to disobey said order.
In this case so far, the troops are alleged to have entered a building without due cause (breaking and entering), removed an occupant without reasonable suspician or probable cause (kidnapping), killed said individual (murder), attempted as a group to cover up the act (conspiracy related to murder and false statements writen and oral), steal a shovel and an AK47 (theft), and attempted to use said items to mislead an investigation (interferrance in an official investigation tampering with evidence and planting false evidence also related to the cover up if any).
All of these acts would be in violation of the UCMJ and certainly punishable under it. The preceding list is also not complete as I am not privy to all the evidence and information.
The natural desire to believe that these troops did not do these things is understandable. The "big picture" is that we as a nation expect and demand more that this performance from those under arms in service to this nation. To do less, places us on the exact same level as the barbarians that behead captives in front of a camera.
Those troops DID recieve training on the conduct of war and the treatment of non combatants, treatment of non uniformed combatants active at the time and otherwise as well as the ROE (rules of engagement) for the area. At times it is an almost impossible task but it is a part of the job they accepted, swore an oath to do and were trained in. We can sympathize for the conditions and mental strain but we cannot excuse acts like this IF those act happened as alleged.
The investigation is still ongoing and the evidence will be brought forth in court as it stands now. This is proper and we owe it to those troops who DO perform as expected that we hold those who fail, particularly fail intentionally, responsible for their actions.
It is not a case of not supporting the alleged perpetrators, it is a case of supporting the troops who perform as trained and in an exemplorary manner. If these troops did indeed commit these acts, they let down every other troop who performed properly or who will soon be in harms way. Every act like this only reinforces the will and dedication of the enemy. We HAVE to be better or we have no justification to impose our will on any part of the planet.
