Fratricide In Afghanistan and Iraq

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think the content of this subject is pretty good, and also very important. I appreciate all of you keeping in central to the actual topic and not bringing politics into the discussion.

Thank you.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

The story I posted about the boy accidentally hanging himself. His parents were sent a letter saying he died in the line of duty and they gave them some low level medal. I mean I can understand trying to save the memory of their son instead of telling them how it happened. But at the same time I think it is best just to be honest. A lesson they would later learn in the Pat Tillman situation IMO.

Much of the reason that many of these things are not made public is due to publicity and monetary concerns.

The military is very protective of its image and does not want to put out any information that may end it up on "Dateline" if they don't have to.

I'm not saying that this policy is right or wrong, it's just what it is. It's also one of the resons that suicides are underreported. Unless the death is absolutely 100% provable as a suicide, then it will be labled as an "accident".

 

[Kangaroo]

I think softer basic training has other implications, but suicide isn't one of them. Suicide is serious business that can't be "weeded out." Even the best of the best sometimes come under intense mental and emotional anguish and pressure.

I agree with casmith, in fact I thought my basic was a joke compared to what my dad went thru in the 70's

One of the craziest stories i ever read was from Colonel Hackworth in Korea. He was to his breaking point he been out on the line in the cold and fighting for a long long time he had kind of reached the point where he just could not go on. So he came up with a plan he took a gernade took out most the powered left enough in there; he was going to dig a hole put his leg in it and set of the grenade for a minor wound so he could go back to the rear. He said he started digging that night and dug and dug an dug and about the time he finished digging and he was ready for the next step the sun came up and everything was good because he just made through the bitter cold night and a new day had arrived. Amazing how something as little as a sunrise can provide hope to someone.

This from a guy who had purple hearts severed in Korea and Vietnam and many other medals.

 

[Kangaroo]

I use to handle "Line of Duties" that is were it is determined if a soldier got killed or injured in the line of duty...man I could tell ya some stories that would just knock your socks off.

I know of quite a few I was an army brat for 8 years grew up in Killeen texas area, server 12 years reserves and my dad has friends in the army I hear all type of stories on how soldiers really die. I know two that went to Iraq snuck booze with them they where in Iraq for like two days are where basically found pretty much dead they got drunk and passed out in a metal connex you can put what happens in 120 degree heat and metal box together on what happen