Canadian Sniper Hero Faces Court Martial

The London Daily Telegraph ^ | April 25, 2002 | David Rennie in Washington

[Slam]

THE Canadian military has been accused of excessive "squeamishness", after recalling a sniper hailed for his bravery in Afghanistan to face a court martial for shouting at a chaplain.

Master Cpl Arron Perry is one of five Canadian snipers nominated for a Bronze Star by American commanders for saving the lives of US troops during missions to root out die-hard Taliban and al-Qa'eda fighters in mountains.

Cpl Perry has been sent back to Canada to face, instead of a hero's welcome, a court martial on discipline charges, reported to be in connection with threatening remarks he is alleged to have made to the Canadian chaplain during a "stress debriefing".

The sniper is also under investigation in connection with a photograph showing the corpse of an Afghan fighter with a cigarette in its mouth and bearing a sign reading "F*** terrorism". He denies responsibility for the photograph, which was taken during combat.

Cpl Perry is now confined to the city of Edmonton, forbidden from carrying a weapon, and working in a supply role.

"Look at what they did to me," he said. "This is how they show their appreciation to me, by sending me back to Canada."

Military experts yesterday denounced what they called Canada's culture of disdain for its armed services, despite their courageous record in two world wars, as well as in the Korean war and numerous peacekeeping operations.

Canadian commanders have been unusually sensitive to any hint of misconduct since a scandal involving Canadian commandos serving as peacekeepers in Somalia, who beat a teenager to death while he was in their custody.

American plans to award Bronze Stars to all five Canadians have now been delayed.

[toddst]

It's not the work of the devil at all. It's a person's work of defending Life and Freedom against the onslaught of muderous jihadist will. There's nothing sinister, or evil about the deliberate destruction of the forces of evil.

This can be stated more simply. Being a sniper is the soldiers' assignment. It has nothing to do with the forces of evil. The man has a combat assignment and he follows orders. Apparently he is good at his job. Well done!

[Slam]

more than likely

[Prodigal Daughter]

The details about the chaplain are conspicuously absent. Maybe he was a Muslim chaplain?!?!

[Psycho_Bunny]

It is the worst, the most despicable thing we humans do to each other

I deny it's the "worst".  One of the "worst", maybe.  But, even then, there have been perfectly honorable wars which could be described as, so far from being despicable, entirely necessary and proper.

I was just hearing on the Northwest Cable News about police in Washington finally finding the body of a missing 13-year old girl who - it turns out - was abducted, raped, and stabbed to death.  I consider THAT far worse than armed combatants going into battle forewarned of their possible fate.

When using words like "worst" you really need to think twice about what you're saying...unless, of course, you consider all war as being worse than capital victimization of innocents.

[general_re]

That was his first shot - his second was estimated at 2430 meters.

[Slam]

Okay. While off topic I respect your "consideration" but stand firm in my use of "war" and "worst."

FYI, armed or otherwise violent combat is not the only madness of war...come to think of it, it is just a (and get this) small necessary part.

[wardaddy]

Ridiculous.

[monday]

"Read the article - they cite a "stress counseling session" or some similar warm fuzzy activity"

Thats what struck me too. I don't blame him for yelling at the chaplin. I have very low tolerance for that kind of cr@p.

What happened to chaplins who actually help soldiers unstead of subjecting them to mandatory stress counseling? Sounds to me like the chaplin should be court marshaled for adding to this guys stress.

Besides whats the big deal? Yelling? lol..did he hurt the chaplins feelings? Is the chaplin a little girl? sheesh grow up!

[Slam]

"White Feather" would be proud.

[wardaddy]

I wonder what his optics were on that MacTac?.....we ought to offer the guy a slot as a sniper instructor.

[Slam]

Absurd.

[VOA]

...a photograph showing the corpse of an Afghan fighter with a cigarette in its mouth
and bearing a sign reading "F*** terrorism".

Today's Los Angeles Times has a photo of a funeral for a Palestinian.
The departed is shown laying in a open coffin, with a cigarette between his lips.

Article said that it's a traditional thing.

[RightOnline]

The Canucks are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off on this one.

Leave the kid alone. Medal 'im up, promote 'im, and let him go kill bad guys.

THAT is what they trained him for, damn it.

[Slam]

After we grant him citizenship, an upgrade to the silver star, a promotion, and a Condo in Woodbridge (for easy access to the school).

[B4Ranch]

"Canadians don't kill -- they don't even use the word kill; that's the problem," he said. "I think the military is not sure that the government is prepared to accept the fact, let alone celebrate the fact ... that Canadian soldiers do sometimes end up killing people."

http://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?f=/stories/20020423/3932.html

I can just imagine what the conversation between the sniper and the chaplain was like. The chaplain trying to convince him that he didn't kill the enemy and the sniper saying, "Well his friggin' head exploded and he didn't shoot back at me fer chhrissakes."

[doc30]

Another reason I'm glad I got out of Canada when I did. Political correctness has jopined with the thought police. If you hurt someones feelings in Canada, it can be considered the same as an act of physical violence. The culture there has become way to "sensitive" to even the slightest of slights.

[spunkets]

"It has nothing to do with the forces of evil."

The subject here is combat. It involves killing. Killing is only justified if it is done to protect Life, rights and Freedom, otherwise, barring accidents, it is always evil... even if, "The man has a combat assignment and he follows orders." That man may be ignorant, but that's not relevant in determining whether the killing was justified, or not.

[Slam]

Click on the quote to read the article:

As rows of men stood outside, the women crowded into the living room. The mother put a cigarette in Ibrahim's mouth. "It's our tradition," a man said.

You are absolutely correct sir.

[wardaddy]

Amen...and this photo crap...geez....I remember in my early teens when older neighborhood guys would come home with pics of dead VC staged or maybe even mutilated and nobody said squat.....a PC war is a very dangerous thing.