Green Energy
And what do you get if you just out and out surrender?
Oh yeah. Sodomized and beheaded. Silly me.
Washington Examiner:
Medal for 'courageous restraint' plan get mixed review from troops
By: Sara A. Carter
National Security Correspondent
May 7, 2010
A proposal to grant medals for "courageous restraint" to troops in Afghanistan who avoid deadly force at a risk to themselves has generated concern among U.S. soldiers and experts who worry it could embolden enemy fighters and confuse friendly forces.
Lt. Col. Edward Sholtis, a spokesman for Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, said that no final decision has been made on the award, which is the brainchild of British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter.
"The idea is being reviewed at Headquarters ISAF," Sholtis said. "The idea is consistent with our approach. Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day, including situations where they refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, in order to prevent possible harm to civilians. ... That restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those seen in combat actions."
However, professor Jeffrey F. Addicott, a former senior legal adviser to the Green Berets and director of the Center for Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, said "It's an absolutely outrageous proposal to our fighting men.
"The implication of this award is that we do not engage in war fighting that is appropriate," Addicott said. "They're sending a chilling message to our troops that we are not complying with the law of armed conflict. It's a propaganda victory for our enemies."
Sholtis disputed that the award would limit troops' ability in the battlefield.
"We absolutely support the right of our forces to defend themselves," he said. "Valuing restraint in a potentially dangerous situation is not the same thing as denying troops the right to employ lethal force when they determine that it is necessary."
The medals proposal is consistent with NATO rules of engagement aimed at reducing civilian casualties in Afghanistan as a way to win the support of the populace. But some soldiers say rewarding "restraint" while risking their own lives is a troubling concept.
The directives "are confusing and the mixed messages from command is making it more difficult for us to defend ourselves," said a U.S. Army soldier in Afghanistan.
A U.S. Marine captain who has served in Iraq, said that he understands the intentions of the award but believes "it's just a bad idea." He said, "They teach us not to second-guess our decisions in dangerous situations. When people second-guess themselves they can be putting lives at risk."
Some soldiers shrugged at the proposal. "It's good, but just like with valorous medals, guys are going to do the right thing because it is the right thing," said Army Lt. Joseph Cooper said. "I think our year in Maiwand [Afghanistan] has shown that in frightening and confusing moments the U.S. soldier will consistently make the right choice time after time."
But other soldiers saw the medal proposal as a reinforcement of troubling rules of engagement. "Unfortunately, we are being reduced to a police force," said another U.S. soldier. "There are troops that never leave Bagram or Kandahar airfield. ... Maybe if they left us all on base and never sent us out to confront the enemy, we could all be honored [for] valor."
- Fighting With Both Hands Tied Around Their Balls
Washington Examiner: Troops chafe at restrictive rules of engagement, talks with Taliban By: Sara A. Carter National Security Correspondent October 19, 2010 KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN -- To the U.S. Army soldiers and Marines serving here, some things seem...
- Dangerous And Stupid
And unfuckingbelievable. The half second it takes for a soldier to go from an unloaded weapon to racking a round can mean the difference between living and dying. And what happens when the bad guys realize this is going on? Won't it make them more...
-
You Don't Get This Medal For Showing "Courageous Restraint". Courageous restraint isn't what our military does best. "ISAF Chief of Staff, German Army Lt. Gen. Bruno Kasdorf presents the Gold Cross of Honor to members of 5-158th Aviation Battalion....
- This Is Fuuuuucked Up
This is no time for diplomacy. We are fighting this war with more than just our hands tied around our balls. Hit 'em, hit 'em again, until they go down, then kick 'em and kick 'em again until they can't or won't get up. And then...
- The Headline In The Nyt Could Have Said "marines Want To Go To Afghanistan"
Instead, hiding what I think is a really good idea the headline was: Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq By THOM SHANKER WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 — The Marine Corps is pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and to send marines instead...
Green Energy
Get A Medal For Not Fighting
And what do you get if you just out and out surrender?
Oh yeah. Sodomized and beheaded. Silly me.
Washington Examiner:
Medal for 'courageous restraint' plan get mixed review from troops
By: Sara A. Carter
National Security Correspondent
May 7, 2010
A proposal to grant medals for "courageous restraint" to troops in Afghanistan who avoid deadly force at a risk to themselves has generated concern among U.S. soldiers and experts who worry it could embolden enemy fighters and confuse friendly forces.
Lt. Col. Edward Sholtis, a spokesman for Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, said that no final decision has been made on the award, which is the brainchild of British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter.
"The idea is being reviewed at Headquarters ISAF," Sholtis said. "The idea is consistent with our approach. Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day, including situations where they refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, in order to prevent possible harm to civilians. ... That restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those seen in combat actions."
However, professor Jeffrey F. Addicott, a former senior legal adviser to the Green Berets and director of the Center for Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, said "It's an absolutely outrageous proposal to our fighting men.
"The implication of this award is that we do not engage in war fighting that is appropriate," Addicott said. "They're sending a chilling message to our troops that we are not complying with the law of armed conflict. It's a propaganda victory for our enemies."
Sholtis disputed that the award would limit troops' ability in the battlefield.
"We absolutely support the right of our forces to defend themselves," he said. "Valuing restraint in a potentially dangerous situation is not the same thing as denying troops the right to employ lethal force when they determine that it is necessary."
The medals proposal is consistent with NATO rules of engagement aimed at reducing civilian casualties in Afghanistan as a way to win the support of the populace. But some soldiers say rewarding "restraint" while risking their own lives is a troubling concept.
The directives "are confusing and the mixed messages from command is making it more difficult for us to defend ourselves," said a U.S. Army soldier in Afghanistan.
A U.S. Marine captain who has served in Iraq, said that he understands the intentions of the award but believes "it's just a bad idea." He said, "They teach us not to second-guess our decisions in dangerous situations. When people second-guess themselves they can be putting lives at risk."
Some soldiers shrugged at the proposal. "It's good, but just like with valorous medals, guys are going to do the right thing because it is the right thing," said Army Lt. Joseph Cooper said. "I think our year in Maiwand [Afghanistan] has shown that in frightening and confusing moments the U.S. soldier will consistently make the right choice time after time."
But other soldiers saw the medal proposal as a reinforcement of troubling rules of engagement. "Unfortunately, we are being reduced to a police force," said another U.S. soldier. "There are troops that never leave Bagram or Kandahar airfield. ... Maybe if they left us all on base and never sent us out to confront the enemy, we could all be honored [for] valor."
- Fighting With Both Hands Tied Around Their Balls
Washington Examiner: Troops chafe at restrictive rules of engagement, talks with Taliban By: Sara A. Carter National Security Correspondent October 19, 2010 KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN -- To the U.S. Army soldiers and Marines serving here, some things seem...
- Dangerous And Stupid
And unfuckingbelievable. The half second it takes for a soldier to go from an unloaded weapon to racking a round can mean the difference between living and dying. And what happens when the bad guys realize this is going on? Won't it make them more...
-
You Don't Get This Medal For Showing "Courageous Restraint". Courageous restraint isn't what our military does best. "ISAF Chief of Staff, German Army Lt. Gen. Bruno Kasdorf presents the Gold Cross of Honor to members of 5-158th Aviation Battalion....
- This Is Fuuuuucked Up
This is no time for diplomacy. We are fighting this war with more than just our hands tied around our balls. Hit 'em, hit 'em again, until they go down, then kick 'em and kick 'em again until they can't or won't get up. And then...
- The Headline In The Nyt Could Have Said "marines Want To Go To Afghanistan"
Instead, hiding what I think is a really good idea the headline was: Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq By THOM SHANKER WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 — The Marine Corps is pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and to send marines instead...