Posted on 10/15/2004 11:22:24 AM PDT by blogblogginaway
A 17-member Army Reserve platoon with troops from Jackson and around the Southeast deployed to Iraq is under arrest for refusing a "suicide mission" to deliver fuel, the troops' relatives said Thursday.
The soldiers refused an order on Wednesday to go to Taji, Iraq — north of Baghdad — because their vehicles were considered "deadlined" or extremely unsafe, said Patricia McCook of Jackson, wife of Sgt. Larry O. McCook.
Sgt. McCook, a deputy at the Hinds County Detention Center, and the 16 other members of the 343rd Quartermaster Company from Rock Hill, S.C., were read their rights and moved from the military barracks into tents, Patricia McCook said her husband told her during a panicked phone call about 5 a.m. Thursday.
The platoon could be charged with the willful disobeying of orders, punishable by dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and up to five years confinement, said military law expert Mark Stevens, an associate professor of justice studies at Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, N.C.
No military officials were able to confirm or deny the detainment of the platoon Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson said he plans to submit a congressional inquiry today on behalf of the Mississippi soldiers to launch an investigation into whether they are being treated improperly.
"I would not want any member of the military to be put in a dangerous situation ill-equipped," said Thompson, who was contacted by families. "I have had similar complaints from military families about vehicles that weren't armor-plated, or bullet-proof vests that are outdated. It concerns me because we made over $150 billion in funds available to equip our forces in Iraq.
"President Bush takes the position that the troops are well-armed, but if this situation is true, it calls into question how honest he has been with the country," Thompson said.
(Excerpt) Read more at drudgereport.com ...
It's Bush's fault.
If its close to a multiple state area or they were augmented from other units to reach 110
5 strength
This situation
reminded me of a piece
Hackworth passed along
last year. I wonder
if leadership in Iraq
is all it could be:
Resistance Ambushes Money Convey, Wounding At Least Five (12/03/03)
by: a Combat Leader
Col. David Hackworth's Journal,
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article5329.htm
12/01/03: (David Hackworth)
The convoy which was attacked while driving through Samara was not a supply convoy as reported, but was carrying large amounts of new Iraqi currency to stock local Iraqi banks and US greenbacks used to pay for goods and services the US forces need to accomplish their missions in Iraq. This convoy was heavily guarded by Abrams Tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. It was akin to a huge Brinks Truck delivery.
The reports of 54 enemy killed will sound great on the home front, but the greater story is much more disturbing and needs to be told to the American Public.
When we received the first incoming rounds, all I could think of was how the hell did the Iraqis (most of these attackers being criminals, not insurgents) find out about this shipment? This was not broadcast on the local news, but Iraqi police knew about it. Bing, Bing Bing, You do the math. ...
You make valid statements. The fuel does no good if it dosen't get there and all the vehicles are destroyed in the process. I was once pushed into a mission, not lead, by a Commander that had we not "modified" "his plan" I have no doubt we would have been wounded or killed. He just didn't have the experiance and would not LEAD the mission he insisted we execute. We used to say you can't teach what you don't know and you can't lead where you won't go. We'll see how it all plays out.
"They went about it wrong. Refusal wasn't the way to go, the ranking member should have expressed concern and taken it up to the chain of command. The army has some serious problems. No wonder they are having a hard time getting soldiers if this is how they're treating them! They need some serious reform in that branch."
These folks are reservists, not regulars. Many just don't think they will ever be called up and they are not fully soldiers at heart. So, they tend to have disciplinary problems. I do not mean to denigrate the reserve. However, I spent 11 years as a Army Reservist and I know how they think. They are are civilians that play soldier one weekend a month and two weeks every summer. Full time military duty is difficult on those that haven't been on it in many years.
Rep. Thompson's (black RAT)comment is a lie. The $150 billion was not for equipment but for everything required in this task.
This whole story is bogus.
BTW, I served with guy from Massachusetts who complained to Senator Teddy because he had lost his base/post driving privilege. And Teddy wrote to the chain of command. Problem was, the guy had been popped for DUI – twice – which was one more time than necessary to lose one’s driving privileges.
I may be a sailor, but if I were to pick a service for my three boys, it would be the Marines or the Army Rangers. Hooah and Semper Fi !
I smell whine in this story, I have a feeling that they had just arrived in Iraq or havent been there very long overrall.
This is another lyin' black RAT congressman. I wouldn't believe him if he told me the sun rose in the east.
Now, that's very helpful. Not.
Check out http://www.military-network.com/main_ucmj/SUBCHAPTERX.html#892.92
where you will find the offences which are punishable under the uniform code of military justice. I think the answer to your query is found in section (b) below.
894. ART. 94. MUTINY OR SEDITION (a) Any person subject to this chapter who--
(1) with intent to usurp or override lawful military authority, refuses, in concert with any other person, to obey orders or otherwise do his duty or creates any violence or disturbance is guilty of mutiny;
(2) with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of lawful civil authority, creates, in concert with any other person, revolt, violence, or disturbance against that authority is guilty of sedition;
(3) fails to do his utmost to prevent and suppress a mutiny or sedition being committed in his presence, or fails to take all reasonable means to inform his superior commissioned officer or commanding officer of a mutiny or sedition which he knows or has reason to believe is taking place, is guilty of a failure to suppress or report a mutiny or sedition.
(b) A person who is found guilty of attempted mutiny, mutiny, sedition, or failure to suppress or report a mutiny or sedition shall be punished by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct.
Semper Fi
Another possibility is that the unit has been detailed to ru these missions on a regular basis, and there were attacks on earlier supply trips. Or it could be something related to the truct the troops had in the NCOIC...
Now you are taking lyin' RATS seriously? Geez
One guy refusing orders is cowardice. Seventeen guys refusing is something else again; piss-poor leadership at a minimum. We need to wait on this one before drawing any conclusions.
I want to wait and see how this whole thing shakes out before I decide how I feel about it.
Democrats made sure welfare checks were mailed on time but we resorted to "dofers".
One time we complained that we had a landing light out. The ops officer went into a towering rage, he said, "Well you have one left, what the hell more you want"....
Just like I told you. Rove testified before the Grand Jury this afternoon.
It's not that hard to check out the facts before you make a post such as you did.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/9929495.htm
With a lyin' RAT Congressman as their spokesman would you expect anything different?
Most good soldiers would have nothing to do with an anti-Bush skunk like this.
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