Fla. Guardsmen Probed on Iraqi Marriages; Christians who converted to Islam so they could be married

Associated Press ^ | 10-03-03

[Mears]

Good Lord,they are getting married to Iraqi women already! Their parents must be thrilled!

[Cicero]

These guys have got to be morons.

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[PJ-Comix]

The men, both Christians who converted to Islam so they could be married under Iraqi law...

Talk about desperation!

[clintonh8r]

Geez, guys, get a Penthouse!

[saquin]

Pensacola Florida National Guard Sgt. Sean Blackwell, of Pace, Fla., right, exchanges wedding bands with his Iraqi bride, who did not want to be identified, on their wedding day, Aug. 17, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq. Family members say Blackwell, 27, and another Florida guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, of Walnut Hill, are being investigated for allegedly violating an order against marrying Iraqi women. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Family)

Pensacola Florida National Guard Sgt. Sean Blackwell, of Pace, Fla., right, stands next to his Iraqi bride, who did not want to be identified, on their wedding day, Aug. 17, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq. Family members say Blackwell, 27, and another Florida guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, of Walnut Hill, are being investigated for allegedly violating an order against marrying Iraqi women. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Family)

[anguish]

My first question would be: is an order not to marry someone lawful?

[dagnabbit]

Looks like a pretty secular event, Muslim-conversion notwithstanding.

These Iraq relationships shouldn't come as a shocker. Has there ever been a long-term deployment or war in which GIs didn't bring home war-brides? (There's a reason why every Army base in this country is ringed by various Korean churches and enterprises).

[WackyKat]

I agree. I don't see anything sinister here.Some of those Iraqi women I see in the news videos are pretty hot.

[RabidBartender]

I only served on active duty, but is it common for a 37 year-old to be a corporal (E-4) in the National Guard (without disciplinary action)?

[Stultis]

My first question would be: is an order not to marry someone lawful?

It was when I was in the Airforce ('82-'86). Even stateside (I never went overseas) you had to get premission. It was almost never denied, mind you, but in theory it could be.

[anguish]

Geez. I would've thought that it was up to each person to decide to whom they'd get married. I'd refuse to ask for permission from anyone. Well, except the bride that is :)

[saquin]

Here's a link to the original story ("Iraqi Girlfriends Capture GI Hearts"), for anyone interested:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/972708/posts

[Polybius]

"Is this freedom in U.S.?" she wrote. "Where is the human right? Where is justice?"

Sometimes, such niceties are trumped by the "needs of the service" clause.

[Stultis]

I'd refuse to ask for permission from anyone.

Nobody asks permission of the taxpayer, either, to pony up the additional benefits for the spouses and dependents of military members, but they do.

[Bringbackthedraft]

The Guard will take a prior serviceman. He could have been out for 15 years and joined the guard after 9/11 coming in with his previous rank. Age 37 less say 3 years active duty deducted from his age makes him eligible. (I believe age 34 is the cut off) Its been a while, but I seem to remember it being that way.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Horny morons.

[Blood of Tyrants]

No, in the military you must ask and receive permission to marry a non-U.S. citizen. I presume this is so the FBI can run a background check on the potential spouse to see if he/she is a spy.

[Blood of Tyrants]

My friend was in the Navy for 4 years. He got out in '86 and then joined the NG in 2002 at the age of 39. He is now 40 and in Iraq and an E-3 (just got promoted to E-4 but not paid for it yet). He is twice the age of some of the kids in his unit.