[American Soldier]

Even the battalion chaplain, Steve Hommel, ended up shouldering an M16 rifle.

This is the second time during this war I have heard of this happening. I don't think this is acceptable. If the chaplains are going to do this it compromises their legal protection. Next I'm going to read about medics shooting people. Chaplains are legally non-combatants aren't they?

When I was at Ft. Knox, the chaplain who came to visit us at the rifle range told us he was forbidden from even touching an M16 or having ammo in his belt.

Maybe it's unavoidable under the circumstances, but even if that's the case, somebody needs to butt stroke the embedded reporters for mouthing off about it. This does not need to be reported.

[dozer7]

"Next I'm going to read about medics shooting people."

Medics are classified as non combatants as are a number of
other billets. Combat arms include infantry, armour, artillery, reconnaissance and engineer. They are 'teeth'. The service elements, transport, supply, medical, maintenance and training are the tail. There are no billets in the ARMED services that are forbidden to shoot bad guys. All the medics I met from 68 through 70 were armed. They shot bad guys AFTER they took care of the wounded. Your statement confuses me in that it implies that medics should not shoot bad guys.

best regards

the dozer

[Cicero]

It's not usual for medics or chaplains to fight, but there's no law against it. And when you are fighting suicidal Islamic terrorists, they will kill a medic or a chaplain as soon as anyone else.

Keep in mind that defending your comrades against being killed by the enemy can be classed as an act of charity. If that's the only way to keep your buddies from being killed, then so be it.

[watchin]

I understand your point. The legality is probably a real concern. But on the other hand ...

No one will suffer more under militant islamonazi torture than the Christian chaplain. These people will shoot civilians, women and children, medics, and chaplains. And they'll hide behind their own. Tough call.