Here we go, technically they're wrong but a dilemna nonetheless.....


Army: GIs refused mission because of safety concerns


BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Eighteen soldiers who refused to make a fuel delivery in Iraq were concerned about their safety and vehicle maintenance, the U.S. military said Sunday.

The military initially did not indicate what caused the soldiers to refuse their mission Wednesday.

But Brig. Gen. James E. Chambers said Sunday that preliminary findings indicate the soldiers were concerned about whether the equipment used would keep them safe.

"I can't think of anything that we're not doing right now to better protect our convoys," Chambers argued. "We are working constantly to find better ways to protect them."

Family members said the trucks weren't armored and were too slow to operate in dangerous areas.

Sgt. Larry O. McCook was among those who refused the mission. He told his wife, Patricia, that the equipment was not right for the job.

"They don't have bulletproof protection on the vehicles," Patricia McCook said. "They just don't go fast at all. It's just not safe to be in a hostile territory."

Chambers said all convoys are escorted, and there is also air support in areas of high insurgent resistance.

He also revealed that the soldiers had been moved to a separate location for questioning after their refusal to carry out the mission.

Family members reported receiving urgent telephone calls and e-mails from the soldiers after the incident. Many told their relatives they had been detained. (Full story)

The military released a statement last week that said no soldier had been arrested or detained.

Chambers said the soldiers have been returned to duty and are doing maintenance and safety training until they are recertified to do their mission.

The soldiers are part of the 343rd Quartermaster Company, which is part of the 13th Corps Support Command, or COSCOM. The company is from Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The company delivers meals, water, fuel, ammunition, medical supplies and repair parts every day to U.S.-led coalition forces.

The 13th COSCOM has suffered 26 fatalities since April and has conducted tens of thousands of missions during that time, Chambers said.

The investigation includes an assessment of what led to the soldiers' actions and will determine whether the Uniform Code of Military Justice was violated, Chambers said.

Investigators will make recommendations on what actions are necessary.

Chambers called the incident "isolated" and said it "will not affect our ability to serve the coalition forces."

Other soldiers in the same unit eventually carried out the mission.

I would bet Harley had a hand in their training. Kerry would talk to them and tell them how it would have been easier to wound themselves 3 times and go the P Heart route.

Bush would have told them to just disappear and let their Daddies cover up for them.

Marines Vent Frustration in Western Iraq

By FISNIK ABRASHI
Associated Press Writer

October 19, 2004, 2:58 AM EDT

QAIM, Iraq -- The sound of the Black Hawk medical helicopter is an
ominous sign for the Marines patrolling this forgotten western corner
of Iraq that borders Syria. It means that one of them is seriously
wounded or killed by their elusive enemy.

The sound of roaring engine, shattering evening calm, gets immediately
followed up with a quick whisper among the troops, trying to find out
who it was -- this time.

At this Marine base, at the far west of the restless Anbar province
only miles from the Syrian border, the news spreads quickly.

"We are losing guys left and right," says Cpl. Cody King, 20, of
Phoenix, not hiding his anger. "All we are doing around here is
getting blown up."

Most of the incidents these days, in this land of endless desert,
dried-up river beds and winding dirt roads, include 155 mm artillery
shells, mines and other sorts of crude homemade bombs. They make the
Marines' enemy faceless and only heighten the feeling of
vulnerability. The armor at their disposal is in short supply.

King and his fellow Marines from the weapons company of the 1st
Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, spoke between patrols, huddled
together and sifting through their log book, venting their anger and
frustration. They never talked of fear.

Among other things their green leather bound book lists are the number
of times their company has been hit by homemade bombs since they
arrived in the country two months ago. Also listed in book, in fine,
careful print, are the names of those who were killed or wounded
during those incidents.

On Sept. 3, a thunderous blast from a homemade bomb ripped through a
group of Marines providing security for engineers repairing a bridge
over the Euphrates River, near the town of Ubayd.

Four were killed and three were wounded. King escaped unscathed.

In recent months, Marine fatalities have exceeded Army deaths -- even
though the Army has at least three times as many troops in Iraq.

It is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for the unusually high death
toll for the Marines because they limit details on the circumstances
of battle deaths to either "enemy action" or "non-combat related." The
Army specifies the type of weapon that caused the death as well as the
city where it happened.

"After you lose so many Marines, you just keep fighting to stay
alive," says King, the son of a Vietnam veteran.

But for some of the Marines, lack of armor, few vehicles and too
restrictive rules of engagement are partly to blame.

"We need more armor, more vehicles and more bodies," says King.

Gunnery Sgt. Jason Berold says the rules, as they are now, are
frustrating. Unless they see insurgents shooting at them or have what
they call positive identification, there's little that the Marines can do.

"It is very frustrating," says Berold, 38, of Los Angeles.

"All we are doing is getting Americans killed and we cannot do much
about it," says King. The other marines in the room nod in approval.

"None of us are scared of going out ... as long as you get one bad guy."

Because of the existing rules of the engagement, though, the only
thing left after the incidents is to "pick up your dead and wounded
and get out of there as soon as possible," King says.

Sgt. Ryan Hall, 27, says that a "50-50" chance of getting hurt or
killed on patrol is a good bet among his troops. As he walks outside
the compound, the Abilene, Texas, resident points to the damage that
company vehicles have suffered. There are cracks in the armored
windshield of their Humvees from flying shrapnel. There are also holes
on the back and damage to its side.

Shortly after darkness fell in this distant base, another sound of the
helicopter signaled what they all knew.

"You do not know whether he will survive," King says.

That night, only one made it. A suicide car bomber had rammed into
their patrol near the town of Qaim. Two soldiers and one Marine died.

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press

Defending the Constitution

Our Common Bond


WELCOME TO THE ARMY TEAM! A TEAM MADE SPECIAL BY THE OATH YOU AND OTHERS TAKE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THOSE WHO TOOK THE OATH AND SERVED BEFORE YOU CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED THE ARMY'S LEADERSHIP VALUES OF LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS-SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY, AND PERSONAL COURAGE. THIS PAMPHLET DESCRIBES THE LINK BETWEEN YOUR OATH AND THOSE VALUES AND VIVIDLY ILLUSTRATES THE CHALLENGE YOU ACCEPT WHEN YOU PLEDGE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.


OATH OF OFFICE
(OFFICERS AND ARMY CIVILIANS)


"I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE UPON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER."


OATH OF ENLISTMENT


"I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE."


When taking the oath, you accept the same demands now that American soldiers and Army civilians have Embodied since the Revolutionary War. The oath deals with values and ethics. The acceptance of and adherence to the leadership values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage will lead to successful and rewarding careers like those of the citizen soldiers who served in the early years.

These attributes are collectively referred to as the Army ethic. By instilling these values within each soldier and Army civilian, we can strengthen the professional Army ethic.

Please, oh please, don't tell me you of all people, Elvis, are going to try and lecture us on the duty, honor, committment, and ethics of the Armed Services.

That's like Bush trying to lecture us on fiscal responsibility!

That is from an Army web site. I'll let them lecture you you need it I do not

Not that I really expected you to understand how things outside your bubble work, but the fact of the matter is, the Army doesn't lecture me, I lecture for the Army.

I've lectured many fine young men and women on the very subject you plagarized above. Some of them I was able to mold into very accomplished, successful soldiers. Others just couldn't seem to understand discipline, accept responsibility, be a team member, or comprehend a regimented lifestyle. So those that couldn't seem to hack the very basics of maturing and melding into a cohesive society I booted out.

Since they couldn't handle it some of them have resorted to locking themselves inside a gated organic psilocybin commune and wiling away the hours pontificating ludicrous diatribes without taking the time to even proof read their insane ramblings before passing them along as some edict of grandiose importance.

All said, they do perform a cheap form of entertainment.

Even though I had to kick some out, I gotta give them credit for at least having the balls to give it a try.

It's good that you are in love with yourself GH but why do you think we want to hear you coo in your own ear

Da Da Daaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Captain Irony strikes again!!

TK, your name is in BOTH places on your Certificate of Marriage.

Bitter boy strikes again.

I don't care who you are... that's some funny feces right there.

Dan S

Your killin me

I would have to be a liberal to want to marry myself. I know you libs would support it however as marrying yourselves is the only way you could get laid on a regular basis.

LT marries Rosey Palmer and gets a tax cut