God bless you. Im sorry but I think youve got this whole thing wrong! You give the impression that these "soldiers" are hodge podge minute men. WRONG! They are professionals, highly skilled and trained to do this thing that they have been called to do! Why do you not hear more of these kinds of things? Because it doesnt happen!
I don't think a soldier should be punished for what he judged to be an act of mercy.
This may be what he thought but HE WAS WRONG! What makes it worse and why these two WILL get the book thrown at them, is that they are OFFICERS and example professionals for the rest of us to emulate.
You cant just sit on the porch with a flag draped around you saying, "Kill every Got Damn one of em'", because thats not how we fight....its not how we want to fight. Its not American.
I presume that you are active duty USMC, possibly in Iraq. I respect you and I respect your opinions and you have been patient with me. I truly believe that there are too many rules of engagement. We should never send troops to a hostile area and not allow them to do what is necessary to protect themselves. During the Vietnam conflict, a lieutenant was court-martialed because he ordered the destruction of a village and its entire population. That was considered a war crime. If a president had done it with a Cruise missile, it would not have been.
Yes a soldier must follow orders, but the rules should protect our troops too.
Respectfully,
OldEagle
I am grateful that you are wrong about the book being throw at him. He will lose a distinguished career but fortunately will serve no time! Mercy to thy enemy carries much weight in the eyes of God & even sometimes to the jag.