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Medal for 'courageous restraint' plan get mixed review from troops
Medal for 'courageous restraint' plan get mixed review from troops By: Sara A. Carter National Security Correspondent May 7, 2010 Lt. Col. Edward Sholtis, a spokesman for Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, said that no final decision has been made on the award, which is the brainchild of British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter. "The idea is being reviewed at Headquarters ISAF," Sholtis said. "The idea is consistent with our approach. Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day, including situations where they refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, in order to prevent possible harm to civilians. ... That restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those seen in combat actions." However, professor Jeffrey F. Addicott, a former senior legal adviser to the Green Berets and director of the Center for Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, said "It's an absolutely outrageous proposal to our fighting men. "The implication of this award is that we do not engage in war fighting that is appropriate," Addicott said. "They're sending a chilling message to our troops that we are not complying with the law of armed conflict. It's a propaganda victory for our enemies." Sholtis disputed that the award would limit troops' ability in the battlefield. "We absolutely support the right of our forces to defend themselves," he said. "Valuing restraint in a potentially dangerous situation is not the same thing as denying troops the right to employ lethal force when they determine that it is necessary." The medals proposal is consistent with NATO rules of engagement aimed at reducing civilian casualties in Afghanistan as a way to win the support of the populace. But some soldiers say rewarding "restraint" while risking their own lives is a troubling concept. The directives "are confusing and the mixed messages from command is making it more difficult for us to defend ourselves," said a U.S. Army soldier in Afghanistan. A U.S. Marine captain who has served in Iraq, said that he understands the intentions of the award but believes "it's just a bad idea." He said, "They teach us not to second-guess our decisions in dangerous situations. When people second-guess themselves they can be putting lives at risk." Some soldiers shrugged at the proposal. "It's good, but just like with valorous medals, guys are going to do the right thing because it is the right thing," said Army Lt. Joseph Cooper said. "I think our year in Maiwand [Afghanistan] has shown that in frightening and confusing moments the U.S. soldier will consistently make the right choice time after time." But other soldiers saw the medal proposal as a reinforcement of troubling rules of engagement. "Unfortunately, we are being reduced to a police force," said another U.S. soldier. "There are troops that never leave Bagram or Kandahar airfield. ... Maybe if they left us all on base and never sent us out to confront the enemy, we could all be honored [for] valor." Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/world/Medal-for-_courageous-restraint_-plan-get-mixed-review-from-troops-93007014.html#ixzz0nHouywVk
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Why not let this British Major General Nick Carter walk point for our guys for a few months out in no man's land and see if he still feels the same way. What ever happened to our old motto of "always use a sledge hammer to kill an ant" ? That is what those primitive Afghan cave dwellers will really understand.
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"May we be worthy of our nation's sacrifice" |
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That proposal reminds me of that scene in Band of Brothers and Operation Market/Garden. The paratroopers spotted a German tank hiding behind the corner of a house and told a Brit tank commander about it but he refused to fire because he was given orders to avoid unnecessary damage to civilian property, and he didn't even get the chance to regret his decision.
The same thing applies here. I'm not a combat veteran but common sense tells me that the first rule of war is, there are no rules. Just kill them before they kill you.
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‘Courageous Restraint’ in action: U.S. pilots find it hard not to respond when fellow
‘Courageous Restraint’ in action: U.S. pilots find it hard not to respond when fellow soldiers are under attack By: Byron York Chief Political Correspondent 05/27/10 8:12 AM EDT ABC News reporter Martha Raddatz was allowed to fly in an Air Force F-15E fighter jet on a combat mission in Afghanistan. The plane was loaded with 500-pound bombs and ready to protect coalition forces on the ground. But the guiding principle of the mission, Raddatz writes, was to exercise “courageous restraint,” that is, to not fire at the enemy if there were the possibility that civilians might be hurt or if buildings might be damaged — even if that meant that American or coalition forces were in great danger. “Sometimes not firing can be tough,” Raddatz writes. “Pilots say it’s hard to watch their fellow soldiers on the ground taking fire.” But that’s what they do, under orders from top American commanders. On this mission, when a French officer on the ground requested a bomb be dropped on the enemy, the U.S. pilot said no, opting for strafing instead because it would be safer for those on the ground — except, of course, for the coalition forces. From Raddatz’s account: Our mission was to provide close air support and “over watch” for 600 French troops on patrol in Kapisa Province.When the mission began, there was little action. But after an in-flight refueling, Raddatz writes, things “took an urgent turn.” The French air controller, called a JTAC for Joint Terminal Air Controller, who is on the ground with the French troops, says they have come under small arms fire and had a rocket propelled grenade launched at them.To watch Raddatz’s report, go here Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op...#ixzz0pBG25Bnk
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