| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq-Jordan |
| It Wasn't a Mutiny in Iraq |
| 2004-10-20 |
| From StrategyPage: October 20, 2004: On October 13, five soldiers out of 19 in a fuel delivery platoon of the 343rd Quartermaster Company, refused to take their seven vehicles north along the highway that runs from Kuwait to Baghdad. The soldiers complained that the trucks were in poor shape, had no armor and that the fuel they were carrying was contaminated. The entire platoon was relieved of duty and other troops came in and took the trucks, and the fuel, north. The mission was completed without incident. The "mutiny," as the media described it, was big news. It shouldn't have been. Such incidents have occurred in every war where American troops have to drive trucks through dangerous territory. World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, the Gulf War. In most cases, a senior officer or NCO comes in, has a "vigorous discussion" with the troops, and the mission is carried out. Sometimes that doesn't work, in which case the NCOs and officers of the unit are relieved, or at least see their promotion prospects evaporate. The army goes by the old adage, "there are no bad troops, only bad officers." The 343rd Quartermaster Company belongs to the 13th COSCOM, a logistics and maintenance organization with some 15,000 troops. In the last six months, the 13th COSCOM has lost 26 troops, and had over 200 wounded or injured. Spend a year working for 13th COSCOM, and you have about a three percent chance of getting killed or injured. Historically, that's a low casualty rate. In World War II, units of that size often suffered that many losses in a single day, and for many days at a time. But this is now, this is Iraq, and 13th COSCOM is not a combat division, but a "combat support" organization. However, the war in Iraq is unique. For the first time in military history, the non-combat troops are suffering higher losses than the combat troops. Naturally, the combat troops are better prepared to handle combat than the combat support troops who, historically, rarely get shot at. While the Iraqis are bad shots and lousy soldiers, they are not stupid. They know their chances of surviving are much better if they attack American combat support troops, especially if they are just riding past in a convoy of trucks. Taking on American infantry, especially if they are in armored vehicles, is known to be suicidal. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #6 I'm hip, Don. I'm also guessing that the enlisted Marines in question. Plus several senior NCOs, lieutenants, captains. Maybe a najor or two are going to be sent to other (Hopefully, front line) units. Far away from prying reporters. Jack. |
| Posted by: Jack Deth 2004-10-20 8:08:18 PM |
| #5 Well, I like to think that American soldiers are independent thinkers who don't blindly follow orders. If it was a certain failure, I don't see why they'd feel it was necessary to risk their lives to deliver a cargo of contaminated fuel, all because their commanders refused to deal with reality. |
| Posted by: gromky 2004-10-20 7:49:05 PM |
| #4 I'm pretty ignorant in these matters, but I suspect the solution has a lot to do with training and mental preparation. I recall a cable tv interview near the start of GWII with a driver in a Marine supply convoy that had come under fire. From his questions, the reporter seemed to think that attacking supply lines was some unprecedented genius idea. The Marine's response was "You don't understand. We're not just truck drivers. We're truck drivers with guns!" |
| Posted by: SteveS 2004-10-20 6:10:35 PM |
| #3 "The entire platoon was relieved of duty and other troops came in and took the trucks, and the fuel, north. The mission was completed without incident." Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to the Leper Colony. [Pull out your copy of 12 O'Clock High for the meaning.] |
| Posted by: Don 2004-10-20 5:09:06 PM |
| #2 JarHead: How are the Marines being resupplied? Is it an all Marine deal? If so... does being green help the gentlemen in the convoys? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-10-20 4:21:17 PM |
| #1 I was just discussing this very topic with my former A-Team SGT, buddy, guy I work with and this is what he wrote: Tom, Failure to obey a lawful order or a direct order if given, conduct unbecoming of a soldier, conspiracy and mutiny are in order for the platoon members of the 343 QM that did not comply with their mission orders. These are just a few charges that I can think of under the UCMJ. There is NO excuse not to even attempt to complete the mission. They all took the same oath of allegiance to their country and theirs is the Profession of Arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that in war there is no substitute for victory, that if you lose the nation will be destroyed, that the very obsession of their public service must be duty, honor, county. When it comes to the mission verses the welfare of the troops it's always the MISSION FIRST. There are no excuses. NONE. Regards, Jerry |
| Posted by: TomAnon 2004-10-20 3:26:49 PM |