[jaykay]

That's right, I recall some said that they were from Texas and one, Pfc Miller said he was just there to "fix broke stuff" not to kill people. No doubt they had guns as well as cameras pointed at them.

Didn't some of the Desert Storm POWs actually denouce the U.S.A. on camera, obviously under duress, their faces cut and bruised?

What are the military's rules? Don't say anything except name, rank and serial number, even if it means getting shot?

[Prodigal Son]

"What are the military's rules? "

It's got to do with the Military Code of Conduct (AR 350-30).

I post it here below- the pertinent part is the next to last paragraph:


I am an American fighting in the forces that guard my country and our way of life, I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies.

I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

---

To the utmost of my ability... That's what the military expects.

It's like I said, I don't hold anything against these guys.

They were a bunch of mechanics and clerks. Some of their comrades were reported to have been killed execution style. They'd just ran into a world of sh!t and see their friends die. They're hurt, tired, scared. Probably thinking they're going to die soon.

They've got all these people babbling in a language they don't understand, pointing guns at 'em. Suddenly there's a camera in their faces and somebody asking questions in English. The one that did the most talking was an NCO. Maybe he felt it was his job to deflect the interrogation away from his juniors and to try to ensure their survival at the same time by giving the answers he did.

In my view, he didn't disgrace his country and he took care of his soldiers.

But, I do remember noting at the time it happened that the SPC Hudson was the only one to do it the right way and you could tell by looking in his eyes that he felt that to say more would be wrong.

Maybe some vets take issue with the SGT talking. Who knows?