Free Republic

Accountability matters, especially in the military — and the US Navy just delivered some internal accountability for the capture of sailors by Iran. NBC, ABC, and other news agencies report that the Navy has “fired” Commander Eric Rasch, the executive officer of the sailors in the embarrassing January incident. This reverses the promotion Rasch got while the investigation took place, and will end any hopes he has for promotion: The Navy has fired the commander of the 10 American sailors who entered Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf and were captured and held by Iran for about 15 hours.In...

The Citadel, one of the country's oldest military schools, has denied an incoming Muslim student's request to wear a hijab, saying it would interfere with its tradition of cadets' "relinquishing of self."

'Tea Party' Marine sues Pentagon to stop discharge SAN DIEGO - A Camp Pendleton Marine is taking Defense Department brass to federal court, saying he is being hounded out of the service for exercising his First Amendment rights. Attorneys representing Sgt. Gary Stein filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense, Sec. of the Navy Ray Mabus, and Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo. "I can confirm that my lawyers on behalf of me are filing a lawsuit in federal court," Stein said told Fox 5 Tuesday afternoon. The 9-year Marine veteran is working with the ACLU and U.S. Justice...

SAN DIEGO - A Navy sailor who refused to board a Persian Gulf-bound ship because of his opposition to the war in the Iraq will face a special court-martial - the military equivalent of a civilian misdemeanor trial, the Navy announced Friday.