Penalty for Desertion Not What It Once Was

[FlyLow]

According to a report in Defense Watch, the senior Army leadership decided to break “with a longstanding tradition of arresting and trying deserters under the Uniform Code of Military Justice UCMJ),” and imposed a program effective Oct. 1, 2001, “whereby deserters are now returned to their original unit for evaluation, counseling and possible rehabilitation before punishment is mandated.”

[usmc1775]

what... the...

When did the army become start giving touchy feely "therapy sessions"?

[steplock]

desertion in time of war = firing squad.

at the very least = automatic expulsion TO the country we are at war against ... never to be repatriated.

[GrandEagle]

“whereby deserters are now returned to their original unit for evaluation, counseling and possible rehabilitation before punishment is mandated.”
??????? RETURNED? ..... REHABILITATION???
Can you rehabilitate a coward?

[Destructor]

Remember that Arkansas hillbilly that was the Commander and Creep for 8 friggin' years?

[kellynla]

link?

[glorgau]

When did the army become start giving touchy feely "therapy sessions"?

When they let women in...

[gwmoore]

GA, FlyLow,

Only have one statement to make on this, and my tagline says it all..

Keep the Faith for Freedom

Greg Moore

[JRPerry]

The politically correct libs started this trend ten years ago when they forced Drill Sgts to stop culling the weak from the ranks before they ever got to their units. It used to be a natural process ... the weak minded were gone in Basic. But the libs under Clinton thought that was unfair and they started issuing "Stress Cards" that recruits could pull from their pockets and flash to the Drills if they felt the Drills were being mean to them. At that point, the Drills were required to back off.

Today's army, while still one of the best in the world function wise, has lost some of its luster personnel wise because of that. And it shows once war comes - which is what armies are for in the first place. These days there are many career army, navy, marines, airforce that never intended to fight ... they thought they were there basically in the same role as most Postal Workers these days ... to draw a government paycheck. Not all mind you, but too many to feel good about.

[muawiyah]

Sounds like someone is confounding what we mean by AWOL and what we mean by desertion.

There's a time-limit involved before AWOL turns into desertion, although I believe "clear intent" can make that time-limit shorter.

In any case, who are these people so terribly concerned about "desertion"? I had a GGgrandfather involved in what is known as "The Battle of Franklin Farm". His Lieutenant recorded every time he withdrew from the line of battle as a "desertion". The count got up to 13 and the Lieutenant quit counting ~ wonder what happened to him?

For those who don't know what that battle was about, it was during the Civil War. It was noted for it's ferocity ~ possibly the most ferocious combat ever faced by Americans at any time in history!

Dumba$$ Lt. was counting "desertions". Hate it when that happens, and knowing the circumstances in the case of GGgrandfather, it rings hollow and self-serving.

[GrandEagle]

the Commander and Creep
You have a point. The new Klintoon army complete with rump rangers. Giving an all new meaning to "I've got your back"

With our new Commander in Chief in charge for nearly 4 years, maybe there about to weed out that bunch.

[GrandEagle]

"Stress Cards" that recruits could pull from their pockets and flash to the Drills if they felt the Drills were being mean to them.
You HAVE GOT to be kidding???

[GrandEagle]

there they are about

[FreeBSD]

maybe they decided its cost-effective.

[FlyLow]

LINK= http://www.cnsnews.com/facts/factorama.asp

[tm22721]

OK.

Now explain to me why anybody ducking bullets would stick around...

BUMP

[ZULU]

That's no surprise.

Years ago we hung traitors. Today we elect them to the White House and run them for office.

[GrandEagle]

Now explain to me why anybody ducking bullets would stick around
Duty, Honor, Courage, others are counting on you.

[exhaustedmomma]

"Stress Cards"

Good grief. And in the heat of the battle, do they flash these to the enemy for a "time out??" Pansy patrol.

[kellynla]

Thanks for the link. I was surprised there were so many deserters in the Army.
I had no idea of a change in Army policy.
I think the Army will regret changing the policy.
I doubt the Marines will follow suit...

Semper Fi,
Kelly