It's my understanding that the spotter calls the shot, not the sniper. But that's beside the point in this case. He's not being punished for shooting. He's being punished for attempting to cover up that which did not need covering up. And, according to the testimony, under orders from his spotter, the senior soldier present.
What we need are three man teams
1. The Shooter
2. The Spotter
3. The Lawyer
Let me clarify this for anyone that cares, there is no reason why an American soldier should ever resort to an illegal act to cover their actions in time of war.
None what so ever.
In fact what has happened to others should be a clue that to do so will bring the wraith of the law down upon their heads.
Our soldiers should never resort to criminal acts to cover up what they have done.
That is the bottom line.