All say they acted in self-defense and used minimum force to subdue unruly prisoners who had attacked them. The soldiers also said conditions at Camp Bucca were chaotic and that guards were being assaulted by prisoners daily.
The soldiers' families said they plan to travel to Kuwait for the court martial. McKenzie's mother, Carolyn Lachemayer, said she expects to see her son acquitted. "He has been in the military 18 years, and has a spotless record," she said. "He would never beat anyone up for fun, like they've said."