Yeah, that was helpful, I do appreciate the information/advice. I’m certainly new to all of this, and I feel like I’m walking on eggshells with the fact that I’m still an active duty Army officer. Not that I’d really say anything different, I feel I have to be careful, and I’m limited in the medium I can approach due to that status (NO television!).
I’m finding that TV people are flabbergasted when you decline to speak on TV. It’s kind of funny, actually. I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to go an armed raid against a terrorist target in Baghdad, so....
I understand the “no video” rule but I also understand why reporters are surprised. Many people caught up in something like this love to be on TV and keep the tapes to show their kids and grandkids. That's what television reporters expect, especially at the national media level, but when it's explained that putting you live on air could result in you becoming a target, generally they understand. TV reporters routinely have protect the identities of images of rape victims or undercover police officers.
I wish you well, Captain... and you're finding out firsthand how easy it is for someone like Rick Santorum to get drawn off-message by answering questions that may create complications.
We'll all find out much more soon about what happened with SSG Bales, and I'm guessing you'll end up being called as a defense witness in the court-martial so this probably won't be your last time explaining publicly what you know of SSG Bales.