Reasons given were basically that they were more likely to be assigned to the really dangerous jobs like convoy escort. Interesting, as well, is the fact that news reports of US “deaths” in Afghanistan do not include these numbers - artificially making the war seem less bloody for our side, I suppose. The whole thing is probably done by design, but that's just my interpretation.
I've had the displeasure several times in recent months of talking on separate occasions with a mid-grade officer and two sergeants - all warrior-minded individuals with long records of combat action - who have returned from that theater in the past year and a half. They all told me basically the same story: Ridiculous rules of engagement and transparently poor command all the way to the top, endangering and costing US lives, and leading in each case to decisions to end their military careers prematurely.
I am not crazy about the spin the NYT and others are putting on this, but the facts need the light of day, and I'm glad for that.
“I am not crazy about the spin the NYT and others are putting on this, but the facts need the light of day, and I’m glad for that. “
Except that is why this information was released or the intent of the information they released. They released this to show how evil America is.