The American soldier's code of conduct

michellemalkin.com ^ | April 05, 2007 | Michelle Malkin

[03A3]

I was an active duty Marine when that occurred and I dont recall any Marines rolling over either. I found the Brits behavior disgusting too, but then I havent considered them allies for years.

[USMA '71]

It is certainly interesting to see how the Code of Conduct has been changed to make it politically correct. The version that existed when I got started in 1967 is printed in italics beneath today's version.

I. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

II. 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.

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

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

No changes.

IV. 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.

No changes.

V. When questioned, 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 or harmful to their cause.

No changes.

VI. 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.

I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, 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

[Americanexpat]

Having served in combat as a grunt and a helicopter door gunner I knew I was doing things where I might be captured. I would like to think that if I were captured I would follow the Code of Conduct, I think I would have. Thank God I never had to find out. The North Viets with their soviet and Cuban advisor's did some pretty nasty stuff to our people some broke some never did. I knew an American Army Officer, a major, who was captured by the Iraqis in Gulf War one. They did some bad things to him and he fought them. Last time I saw him he was a full Colonel but I could see in his eyes he was haunted by the things he endured still. I don’t give a rats ass what a billion other people think. It sounds to me like these peoples chain of command told them how to respond. Remember that the Iranians had captured other Brits in similar circumstances a year or so ago. If not then I am sure the UK government will fix the problem.

[NCC-1701]

The North Koreans wouldn’t have even known that had it not been for some a-hole writer for Time magazine. He wrote about “The Hawiian Good Luck” sign’s true meaning. After the NK’s found out about it, they beat the Pueblo’s crew unmercifully for a week. The liberal press at work for all (yeah, right).

[the anti-liberal]

"I would like to think that if I were captured I would follow the Code of Conduct, I think I would have."

It looks to me like you actually do agree with what that billion other people think.

And there are many on this thread who have taken note that if those captured Brits were told by their superiors to do what they did, then kudos to them for following orders - but a pox on the command that endangers the future welfare of their country.

We'll see what kind of fallout comes from this. More kidnapping? It obviously works, and with no negative side-effects.

And thanks for your service. I had signed up and was going to be placed in officer training, but I had to reveal my hearing impairment, forcing them to reject my application.

[the anti-liberal]

Some things never change, do they?

[ODC-GIRL]

“you were to do your best to regain control, and to try to make them start from scratch again.”

That’s still what they teach us. They know that everyone has a breaking point, but that you need to rally again and again for as long as you are able.

I will not sit in judgement of these sailors and marines. We have no idea what was done to get these “confessions” and statements.

[Rick.Donaldson]

for situations when they must communicate they're being coerced . .

Ummm no. In 26 years of service no one ever told me any code words. lol That's kind of typical though of people who ASSUME a lot. We do use duress words though, if in a situation that warrants using one, but they don't do much if you're taken prisoner. Everyone already knows you're in duress by then... at least one would hope so. I will say this, as a former service person.... you do what you CAN, and if you read those codes... the one that says you will do everything you can to NOT give answers... that means just that. When the torture starts, we all will talk. Everyone, I don't care how strong willed or non-emotional one is, when the pain gets too intense, you'll tell them whatever you can. Most chose to tell them as little as possible, but tell them something to make the pain stop. Ask any of the men who were POWs under the Vietnamese and they will tell you pretty much the same. I don't think ANYONE should be putting down the Brits for what they did to get out of there and get home, especially now that they held a news conference to confirm for us all they were bounded, hooded and placed under severe emotional distress. Live them alone and stop bitching. The Government did what it felt appropriate at the time, and though I disagree, those would have been 15 dead service members in another circumstance. Of course, we all SEE war with Iran coming, even Rosie O sees it, doesn't she? FOr her, it's a CONSPIRACY, for the rest of us it's going to be a necessity.

[JayAr36]

Please read your own press>

[Rick.Donaldson]

“We gave that [the Code] up years ago.” I wonder who “we” are?

DUnno, we still had that code when I got out in 2002. It's still there, and my son even told me they have to memorize it. Well, he just came back from Iraq, I will ask him again about it.

[theFIRMbss]

>When the torture starts, we all will talk

-------------------------------------------------

Spence
Interrogation.

Larry
What?

Spence
Methods to withstand interrogation.

Larry
You've done that?

Spence
We were taught to hold out indefinitely.

Sam
Nobody can hold out indefinitely.

Spence
Ah, is that so?

Sam
Everybody has a limit. I spent some time in
interrogation... Once.

Larry
They make it hard on you?

Sam
They don't make it easy. Yeah, it was unpleasant.
I held out as long as I could. All the stuff they
tried. You just can't hold out for ever. Impossible.

Larry
How'd they finally get to you?

Sam
They gave me a grasshopper.

Larry
What's a grasshopper?

Sam
That's two parts gin, two parts brandy,
one part crème de menthe...

Spence
F%ck*ng sm!rt%ss . . .