Pace Calls Iraq Investigations Chance to Recheck Moral Compass

American Forces Press Service ^ | 6/04/06 | Donna Miles

[bnelson44]

Pace Calls Iraq Investigations Chance to Recheck Moral Compass

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

SINGAPORE, June 4, 2006 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told U.S. Marines stationed here today the ongoing investigations of events in Haditha, Iraq, present an opportunity for all servicemembers "to revisit ourselves and see where we are on our moral compass."

Gen. Peter Pace, the first Marine to become the highest-ranking U.S. military officer, shared his thoughts with members of Marine Corps Detachment Singapore after stopping between sessions at a security conference here to thank them for their service.

Asked his thoughts about news coverage of the alleged Haditha incident, Pace told the group he supports the new ethics training requirement for deployed troops and believes it supports "what 99 percent of Marines are doing right."

The training emphasizes "core values - who we are and what we do," and encourages military members to reevaluate themselves, the chairman said.

Pace acknowledged that as the investigations unfold, there's likely to be "a bumpy road" ahead.

The general, here for the Asia Security Conference known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, thanked the Marine security guards assigned to the U.S. Embassy "for who you are and what you represent."

The Marines' presence and capability brings "great comfort" to the embassy staff and a positive example of the U.S. military's professionalism, the chairman said. "Thank you for all that you do," he said.

Asked about his World War II-era eagle-globe-and-anchor insignia, Pace told the group he wears them to remember the Marines who served before him and paved the way for him to become the first Marine to achieve his position.

"I recognize I'm standing on the shoulders of some real giants of the corps," he said. "I did not get here on my own. I represent 230-plus years of Marine Corps history."

The general posed for photos with the group, joking with them that "smiling is OK," then presented each Marine with his five-sided signature coin. Pace, in turn, accepted the Marine security detachment coin from Sgt. Hector Ramos.

Sgt. James Gorczynski said it felt good to hear Pace's views of the Iraq investigation firsthand and his belief in the benefit of the new ethics training requirement. "It concentrates on our core values, and that's a constant in our training, from Day One," Gorczynski said.

Staff Sgt. Zachary Peters called the general's comments "very motivational" and said meeting Pace personally confirmed all he'd heard. "It's one thing to hear about him, but it doesn't really take hold until you see the man in person," he said.

Biography:

Gen. Peter Pace, USMC

News Archive

[Publius6961]

It would not hurt my feelings, nor would I feel a great sense of loss if Pace were to resign tomorrow.

The only way any of what he says makes sense is if the already believes the enemy's propaganda about American "war crimes".

Strange thing for a military leader to do to his troops.

[TheCrusader]

"The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told U.S. Marines stationed here today the ongoing investigations of events in Haditha, Iraq, present an opportunity for all servicemembers "to revisit ourselves and see where we are on our moral compass."

Yeah, General Pace, let's bring back the Golden Rule and remind our troops, "Always Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You"; that's the way to win a war.

[TheCrusader]

"Showing leadership and telling the truth is usually a pretty good idea"

We don't know the truth yet, and neither does General Pace, so he should just zip his lip until the all the facts are in and the trial, (if there is one), is completed. And in what military leadership manual can we find the words: "let's take a check on our moral compass"? Just curious.

[LibSnubber]

Line Of Departure
Since Jun 4, 2006

Welcome, LoD - enjoy your stay.

[freema]

[gunnyg]

General Puller On Loyalty--Up and...DOWN!!!!!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/135069/message/1149455981/General+Puller+On+Loyalty

[gunnyg]

And, Gen Puller's cousin, Georgie...

Gen George Patton

"There has been a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom to the top. Loyalty from the top to the bottom is much more important, and also much less prevalent. It is this loyalty from the top to the bottom which binds juniors to their seniors with the strength of steel.
"
Ref
http://www.pattonhq.com/unknown/chap13.html

Few generals speak of loyalty extending from the top down, as well as the oposite.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
R.W. "Dick" Gaines
GySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952-72
Gunny G's GLOBE and ANCHOR Sites & Forums

[gunnyg]

Been waiting for Zell Miller to jump on this one!

[Jacquerie]

I am not a military ethicist and do not pretend to be. I do not know the Iraq theater rules of engagement. Like everyone else at this forum I do not the facts of the case against the Marines.

In a larger sense I wonder if the US has set the bar too high regarding civilized warfare.

Is it possible to win when (as it appears to be) the enemy knows that unless they are caught red handed with a weapon or IED stuff they will be immune from our wrath? Half of our gov't thinks those who slowly, slowly saw off the heads of US citizens are mere criminals worthy of the Miranda rights, taxpayer paid legal defense, etc.

Every once is a while I read or watch on the history channel about Dresden, Hiroshima, firebombing of various Japanese cities etc. Like our Marines on Guadalcanal, today's Marine in Iraq, knew/knows that the enemy offers no quarter. In a bloody and celebrated campaign through the central Pacific our Marines did what they had to do to win. We took very few Japanese prisoners. Our WWII, fought at the outset with a pitifully under trained and undermanned force, fought and won against powerful and well equipped forces in four years.

Four years in Iraq is not long off. We have the best trained, equipped, volunteer Marines and Soldiers in history. Damn the liberals and world socialists to hell. Evacuate civilians when possible, but let our forces win.

[Gator113]

"Pace acknowledged that as the investigations unfold, there's likely to be "a bumpy road" ahead."

I will support our Troops until Hell Freezes Over. Even if it turns out that they screwed up. They were not in a bar fight, they were in a battle with a ruthless enemy and had just taken casualties.

I'm glad I wasn't there....I would have killed the entire neighborhood. I did a few things in 1965 that I will *never* talk about. While my Honor is intact, I'm not proud of some of those things....but because of those choices, I can now hold my beloved grandchildren in my arms.

It seems to me that Gen. Pace is trying to brace us for what he believes is going to be very bad news about our Brothers. It also seems as though he is trying to lay a foundation to help with damage control.

Pray for our Troops and may God help and bless this very screwed up Country we live in.

[freema]

My flag has been at half mast since Memorial Day. I can't bring myself to raise it.

[LibSnubber]

"I will support our Troops until Hell Freezes Over. Even if it turns out that they screwed up."

Same here. The only part of this that's an issue for me is how the MSM and our domestic liberal terrorists are using this as propaganda. I trust the Marines will take care of this and that's good enough for me.

[TheCrusader]

"Death before dishonor".

The dishonor is when the Iraqi terrorists hold women and children in front of them, (which is a standard method of how they operate), and shoot at and kill U.S. troops. So if "Death before dishonor" means that our troops must die before firing back at terrorists who are amongst women and children, then we should just lay down our arms now and put up the white flag, because this is how the cowards 'fight'.

[sinkspur]

We don't know the truth yet, and neither does General Pace,

Pace knows the truth. Everyone who has publicly commented knows the truth.

[TheCrusader]

"Pace knows the truth. Everyone who has publicly commented knows the truth."

That's a very dangerous thought, it effectively devalues the worth of a fair trial.