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2004-10-20 Iraq-Jordan
It Wasn't a Mutiny in Iraq
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Posted by Steve 2004-10-20 2:51:00 PM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#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||   2004-10-20 3:26:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#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||   2004-10-20 4:21:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#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||   2004-10-20 5:09:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#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||   2004-10-20 6:10:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#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||   2004-10-20 7:49:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#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||   2004-10-20 8:08:18 PM|| Front Page Top

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