Fratricide applies whether or not the killing was accidental or intentional. I've never heard a whisper of anything to suggest that the killing was intentional.
Now, the Rangers are aren't always the brightest bulbs, but it'd be 80 below and raining ice cubes in Satan's back yard before they'd bump off one of their own for some political BS. Anyone that knows any Rangers knows that this 'political cover-up killing' theory is about as plausible as saying that JFK's death was a suicide.
Not the brightest bulbs? Please clarify that statement. This first process of gaining a Ranger contract for a young man joinging the military is a higher GT score than his average peers. The Regiment does not need, nor accept the unintelligent. Not to mention that the other Special Ops units in the Army are largely staffed by men who started their military careers in the Regiment. Young? Absolutely. Dim? No sir.
However, you are 100% correct that there is no possible way that he was fragged by his fellow Platoon members. Nor was he off for a meeting with Chomsky. Tillman and the rest of the Rangers in his Platoon were concered with two things: when would their next hot meal be, and where could they find Hadji and kill him.
Anyone who believes this entire situation was ANYTHING other than a tragic, undesirable side effect of war needs to step away from the cool-aid.
Rangers aren’t the brightest?
Hey bubba, I did 5 years in the Navy — and the qualifications for the SEALs are just as hard (if not harder) than the Rangers.
My room mate was a SEAL and he was one sharp fellow (he was a computer science major too).
The Army Ranger guys that I have met over the years are:
* Physically fit beyond belief
* Strong math ability
* Natural leaders
* Extremely bright
* KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRIENDLIES AND BAD GUYS!