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New Anti-War Hero Admits to Violating Military Rules
NewsBusters.org ^ | Robin Boyd

Posted on 06/03/2007 2:42:02 PM PDT by SandRat

The media has a new anti-war hero - Adam Kokesh the Iraq war veteran who is facing a June 4th hearing for violations of the UCMJ regarding wearing the uniform while protesting and disrespect to an officer. The headlines scream out for sympathy for Kokesh and outrage for the Marine Corps. "Iraq Vet Faces Penalty for War Protest" was the headline on CBS News online. The Daily Breeze says "Discharged Veteran May be Punished for Protesting". The Socialist Worker calls it "Marines Eating Their Own". All are couching this hearing in terms of free speech and punishing an anti-war vet when it is nothing of the sort.

What makes this charade of outrage even more ridiculous is Kokesh's claims. From the CBS News article:

Kokesh argues that he was not representing the military at the protest in Washington, and he made that clear by removing his name tag and other military insignia from his uniform.

Oh really? Kokesh admitted back on March 20, 2007 that he violated the sanctity of the Marine Corps utility uniform. From Kokesh's own blog and in his own words - "Why I Cry for Jonathan Shulze"...

"I feared that violating the sanctity of the Marine Corps utility uniform would be sacrilege. I think if I was still on active duty right now, and was watching fellow former Marine Sergeant and IVAW member Liam Madden marching though the capitol in his utilities, I probably would have called him a "s*^$ bag". But to not participate when perfectly able would have been to betray myself. In light of the stakes, making a parody of military operations is the pettiest of transgressions."

Kokesh not only pointed out his own USMJ violations but he fingered Liam Madden (who is also being investigated). Even more damning is his admission that Operation First Casualty was a parody of military operations. But - But - I thought the street theater was an exercise to show people the real situation in Iraq. You mean it was meant as a mockery to the honor of the Marines and the rest of our military fighting in a war? I'm shocked... shocked I tell you.

Now - how can one complain that this hearing is a political witch hunt to silence vets when Kokesh admits to every single violation? Seems that the Marines would be remiss in their duties to not investigate this fella. Next time Kokesh wants to get some media coverage and make a political statement, he should read back over his blog posts first. The media should do a little background research next time they crown an anti-war icon.

UPDATE: Kokesh claims he removed all traces of identifiable military marks from his uniform. That is not possible. The Marine Corps Utility Uniform (MARPAT) has an embroidered logo on the left breast pocket. Also the Marine "logo" is made into the pattern of material. You can see a sample of the material here. Notice that the media never bothered to check on this despite Getty Images having a picture of Kokesh at Operation First Casualty with the embroidered logo quite visable.



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: admits; antiwar; military; nutjob; rules; ucmj; violating
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To: verity

I have been retired 30yrs....But, when I completed my first Active Duty tour, I was issued a ‘Certificate of Service’ and the Honorable Discharge paperwork followed on completion of my required inactive reserve service.


21 posted on 06/03/2007 3:38:15 PM PDT by Jay Howard Smith (Retired(25yrNCO)Military)
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To: verity

His HD is still conditional as he still has/had a military obligation to finish in the Individual Ready Reserve at the time of his misconduct. As such, his HD can be downgraded administatively or at his insistance before a Courts Martial (if he’s smart he’ll take the administrative path as that will avoid it end much worse for him) to a Les Than Honorable. If he’d behaved himself until 72 hours after his last official day of his IRR obligation he’d have been finaly and fully discharged from the Corps and it would forever reflect such on his DD-214. Then if he wore the uniform to bring disgrace upon the military he’d get to face the Men In Black from the FBI for Federal Civilian Charges.


22 posted on 06/03/2007 3:42:27 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: verity; SandRat

The best info I’ve found on this set-to has been at The Tank on NRO:
http://tank.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTRlZmZiNTc2NzRjNDRhMGNhOTNkYjUwNWQ3MjA1NzE=

“Kokesh was honorably discharged from active service (before rolling into the IRR). He still has to be discharged (honorably or otherwise) from the IRR before his contract is fulfilled. Now a Marine Corps panel will decide whether or not his service is “honorable” or “other than honorable.” “


23 posted on 06/03/2007 3:43:40 PM PDT by Uriah_lost ("build bridges where you can - but draw lines where you must." -Fred D Thompson)
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To: All

I know not much about the Marines. I am an Army mom.

That said, it doesn’t take a whole lot of military experience to figure out that some like to talk the talk, but are clueless about actually walking the walk.

Save us from those who want their 15 minutes of fame!


24 posted on 06/03/2007 3:45:30 PM PDT by jacquej
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To: SandRat
I found the problem and it is a matter of semantics.

The governing regulation stipulates that a person is transferred to the IRR. There is no discharge.

Thus you are correct in that both the period of AD and the remainder of his obligation must be characterized as HONORABLE in order for an HD to be issued.

The remaining question is whether this incident will be adjudicated administratively or judicially. Should be interesting.

25 posted on 06/03/2007 4:18:23 PM PDT by verity (Muhammed and Harry Reid are Dirt Bags)
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To: verity
If he he offered an administrative option he should take it for if he demands Judicial before a Courts-Martial neither he nor the Silly Cybilian Laaa-yerr will like the outcome.
26 posted on 06/03/2007 4:21:24 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat
You betcha.

BTW, I still favor the neutering option. lol

27 posted on 06/03/2007 4:26:56 PM PDT by verity (Muhammed and Harry Reid are Dirt Bags)
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To: verity

I’d prefer treatment from the old Chuck Conners TV show “Branded!”


28 posted on 06/03/2007 4:28:53 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: retMD

I just don’t get the VFW on this. They are adding to the circus. Hopefully my American Legion will stay out of it.


29 posted on 06/03/2007 4:57:47 PM PDT by Past Your Eyes (Some people are too stupid to be ashamed.)
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To: SandRat

Freedom of speech is not a concept taught in boot camp, nor should it be. The military has ample reasons for its rules and regulations and they are not the same as the civilian ones.

I, and millions of other men and women gave up some of our rights voluntarily to serve in the armed forces. It was a priviledge to have done so for many years. The military cannot operate on individualism and long survive, and God knows, we must have a military that can face danger and win.


30 posted on 06/03/2007 6:17:39 PM PDT by billhilly (My former tag line.)
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To: SandRat
I am familiar with the reference.....which means we are both getting old...sigh!
31 posted on 06/04/2007 5:01:35 AM PDT by verity (Muhammed and Harry Reid are Dirt Bags)
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To: verity
Yep and the TV show Rebel as well not to mention seeing Annette Funichelo as a young teen on the Black and White Mickey Mouse Club.
32 posted on 06/04/2007 4:53:01 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Wandering though past years.......Did REBEl star Nick Adams usin a chopped down .30-.30?


33 posted on 06/04/2007 7:22:58 PM PDT by verity (Muhammed and Harry Reid are Dirt Bags)
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To: verity

Yep!


34 posted on 06/04/2007 7:40:44 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat
Now if I could only remember what I had for dinner last night. ;-)
35 posted on 06/05/2007 5:19:22 AM PDT by verity (Muhammed and Harry Reid are Dirt Bags)
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