SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - Should a soldier be excused if he went on a rampage.

Ishmael · 05-31-06, 08:31 PM

Let's remember that most of these guys are on their 3rd and 4th deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The nature of counter-insurgency warfare is that there are no clearly defined enemies. When you consider that a good percentage of US troops there are reservists and national guard troops ill-trained and lacking in the language skills needed to perform in an occupation and counter-insurgent operation, I am surprised that there are not more incidents like Haditha. That said, my question is where are the officers who led these troops? They must bear the ultimate responsibility for controlling the men under their command. If they either were not present on the patrol or allowed this to happen, they are guilty of dereliction of duty at the very least. We must always remember that war is a dirty business and that counter-insurgency war is the dirtiest of all. When you add the numerous deployments many of these men are subjected to without any counseling or treatment for post-traumatic stress, the strategy or lack of same by the political leadership, it's small wonder these incidents happen. Remember, that the vast majority of servicemen in Vietnam were only required to serve one one-year term. Most of these men, as stated above, are not only on their 3rd or 4th tour but are also kept in beyond their EAOS(End of Active Obligated Service) by the illegal and immoral Stop-Loss Program. This does not excuse the behavior, but does put it into perspective.

05-31-06, 08:31 PM	#5
Ishmael Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Morro Bay, Ca. Posts: 659 Downloads: 79 Uploads: 0	Let's remember that most of these guys are on their 3rd and 4th deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The nature of counter-insurgency warfare is that there are no clearly defined enemies. When you consider that a good percentage of US troops there are reservists and national guard troops ill-trained and lacking in the language skills needed to perform in an occupation and counter-insurgent operation, I am surprised that there are not more incidents like Haditha. That said, my question is where are the officers who led these troops? They must bear the ultimate responsibility for controlling the men under their command. If they either were not present on the patrol or allowed this to happen, they are guilty of dereliction of duty at the very least. We must always remember that war is a dirty business and that counter-insurgency war is the dirtiest of all. When you add the numerous deployments many of these men are subjected to without any counseling or treatment for post-traumatic stress, the strategy or lack of same by the political leadership, it's small wonder these incidents happen. Remember, that the vast majority of servicemen in Vietnam were only required to serve one one-year term. Most of these men, as stated above, are not only on their 3rd or 4th tour but are also kept in beyond their EAOS(End of Active Obligated Service) by the illegal and immoral Stop-Loss Program. This does not excuse the behavior, but does put it into perspective.