Griping Could Mean Charges for Soldiers

Associated Press ^ | July 18, 2003

[AntiGuv]

WASHINGTON - The Army is considering whether to punish soldiers in Iraq who griped about conditions there to a television reporter, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Friday.

Some soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division complained to ABC-TV this week after their units were told they would be leaving Iraq soon, then had their homecoming postponed. One called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

Criticism of superior officers is a breach of military rules. The Army will determine whether any soldier will be charged with breaking those rules, said Pentagon spokeswoman Chief Petty Officer Diane Perry.

On Wednesday, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said the soldiers' comments show the frustration of troops who are ready to go home.

"Every now and then we've got to look at our young people and understand why they said what they said, and then do something about it," said Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command.

He said it was up to the soldiers' direct commanders to decide if they should be punished.

"None of us that wear this uniform are free to say anything disparaging about the secretary of defense, or the president of the United States," he added.

[Fred Mertz]

"None of us that wear this uniform are free to say anything disparaging about the secretary of defense, or the president of the United States," he added.

At least not publicly.

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[RetiredArmy]

It is a violation of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice, written a approved by the United States Congress and signed into law by the President of the United States by the way), that statements such as these against the President or senior civilian officials can be deemend crimes. So, yes. They can be charged. Probably, if anything with a stearn butt chewing. If any other type of charges, probably nothing more than an Article 15 under the UCMJ, non-judicial punishment. I doubt Courts-Martial.

[PhiKapMom]

Exactly! Talking to ABC was dumb, dumb, dumb!

Two-star general from Wright-Patt during Clinton was removed and had to retire because he made remarks about Clinton in Germany!

That is just the way it is!

[Ann Archy]

They DEFINTELY need to be punished...as it is against the UMCJ rules they ALL know about going in. Hope ABC is proud.

[niteowl77]

If getting spanked was good enough for Douglas MacArthur, it is good enough for these guys.

[PhiKapMom]

When I first heard it I thought UCMJ! ABC reporter needs to be fired along with their producer for putting this on the air.

People seem to forget when you join the military, you are subject to rules the rest of us are not. Another thing -- when you get deployed, there is no guarantee that you will be back to the States on the date you were told. Military deployments don't work that way. Ask the USS Lincoln crew!

[BonnieJ]

The difference is the media stood by Clinton and were down on the military when those derogatory remarks were made. Now it's the other way around.

[LiteKeeper]

At least not publicly.

During 29 years of Army service, I heard lot's of gripes from soldiers, especially during my last 10 years when I served as a Chaplain. We used to say, "If the soldiers are not complaining, you better investigate because some thing if seriously wrong."

BUT...we never complained in public, and absolutely never talked to the press. Something smells in this latest round of stories!

[CFC__VRWC]

The difference is the media stood by Clinton and were down on the military when those derogatory remarks were made. Now it's the other way around.

Oh yeah, all you're going to hear now is screeching from the media about how this is yet another example of Bush/Ashcroft destroying our civil rights.

[mystery-ak]

My hubby has NEVER been home when he was first told...and I learned early never to expect it.

I think the only punishment will be that they are not retained...if they wanted a military career, it's now over...they are not career material anyway...they want to be in the Army, but don't want to do what they are trained for....they are not professional soldiers...good riddance.

btw...I had to keep my mouth shut for 8 years of the rapist reign.

[Servant of the Nine]

There is always 10% who don't get the word

And there is always 10% who will bitch about anything.

So9

[thegreatbeast]

They need to be punished. You just can't have this.
And you can be damn sure that we'll hear wailing and the gnashing of teeth from everybody's momma.
The Canadian ABC reporter had a joyous time filing different reports over the course of the day. He was giddy with excitement and remarks he made bespoke of his knowledge of the over-the-top nature of the soldiers' remarks.

[Cyber Liberty]

They need to be made an example of. Throw the book at 'em.

[Cyber Liberty]

And you can be damn sure that we'll hear wailing and the gnashing of teeth from everybody's momma.

The more, the better.

[AntiGuv]

Throw the book at 'em.

Firing squad?

[Freedom4US]

One has to wonder about the motivations of the media pool reporters who put these guys up this as well. The responsibility lies with the soldier - but there's no way those guys made it over to Iraq without getting a military affairs briefing - they KNOW soldiers cannot publicly disparage our leaders while in uniform. Something stinks here.

[Cyber Liberty]

Naw. Killin's too good for 'em...

;^)

[MonroeDNA]

Another tradition broken, post-Clinton.

If the Military enlisted were allowed to complain during the Clintoon years, Clintoon would not have lasted 6 months. We would have seen the poll about letting gays in the military, and that would have been the end.

Clintoon broke the tradition about criticizing a current President's policies, and it trickled down.

Ex-AF.