22 Army reservists refuse Iraq duty

Workers World newspaper ^ | Jan. 20, 2005 | Dustin Langley

[Nightshift]

Notice the other 22 are attached to the same unit. Sounds like a conspiracy.

[Former Military Chick]

You have a point, if he is willing to face a court martial and if he offers to wave and go right to sentencing I might change my tune on this guy, but he wont, and some left wing attorney will get involved to make these guys the poster children for anti war folks.

Sadly, the old prison is no more. They are slowly tearing it down and the prisoners have been moved into a new facility, really nice, looks just like a huge college campus. Perhaps I will take some photo's of the old one and the new one. They will NEVER serve HARD time.

[SF Republican]

I accept that; being here and not being shot at or having bombs lobbed at me I will refrain from judging the courage of others.

[Not A Snowbird]

Fair enough!

[Widows Son]

The oath I took when I joined was "to follow all lawful orders... and to protect...against all enemies foriegn and domestic" I don't recall anything about "if I feel like it". These people should be charged with all applicable laws and sent to prison.

[freedumb2003]

they did NOT need to join, nobody forced them, it is selfish on their part and of story.

Didn't you know? The US Military is a jobs program -- actually FIGHTING is so gauche! (/sarcasm)

[NYTexan]

I understand the pain. Unfortunately these jerks were not weeded out with the rest of the trash during basic & OTS.

Personally, I think we should celebrate those amongst us that have distinguished themselves as true patriots and ignore the self centered cry babies! (but thats just me!)

[dominic7]

ROTFLMAO I don't know why but that was really funny. I think I'd better slow down on the cancer cure (refer to article)

[Mrs.Liberty]

Maybe so (your #42), but once he gets out, he will have that on his record...how will that look to an employer? Dishonorable Discharge and some time in military prison...

[siunevada]

"elements of my unit were instructed by a captain to fire on children throwing rocks at us."

If this had even the most remote whiff of truth to it wouldn't the MSM and the loyal opposition be all over the story?

Does the conscientious objector stoop to falsehood?

[CDB]

Not quite the "fireguard ribbon, but almost:

3. Criteria: a. The Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguishes himself/herself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. Qualifying periods of service include each three years completed after 27 August 1940 or, for first award only, upon completion of at least one year upon termination of service if separated prior to three years. Also for the first award only, for those individuals who died before completing one year of active Federal military service if the death occurred in the line of duty. The immediate commander must approve the award and the award must be announced in permanent orders.

b. Effective 1 September 1982, Active Guard Reserve personnel became eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal. For Active Guard Reserve personnel, the Good Conduct Medal qualification period may commence at a time during the three years immediately preceding the 1 September 1982 effective date, provided no portion of service for the Good Conduct Medal is included in a period of service for which the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal was awarded.

Check out: https://www.perscom.army.mil/tagd/tioh/Awards/GOOD_CONDUCT_MEDAL.htm

[koba37]

The same unit? Hmm, sounds like one to me. Where is the Sgt. Major puttin the fear of Jesus into them? I'm sure a good portion of that number can be convinced to change their minds.

[austinmark]

Benderman, who first entered the Army in 1987

The soldiers want to come home, and the Iraqi people clearly want them to leave.

..they outlined the only way to end the violence in Iraq: "Until America leaves Iraq to the Iraqis, and brings its soldiers home, freedom cannot begin to materialize for the Iraqi people."

No Way. 17 years in the Army AND he is only a Sergeant? (E 5) This guy must be a Major F/U. Good Conduct Medals are Nothing to brag about. You have to screw up NOT to receive one. A Coward, Now that's Believable. This whole story has the STENCH of HATE BUSH/OUT OF IRAQ all through it.

Look up where the story originated, the WSAV News 3 web site. THEN look up the Workers World Website. Much has been added, made up and just false.

their Web Site is For:information from occupied iraq     ????? ?? ?????? ???????. (Their Words)

Are we sure Dan Rather Isn't still on the beat?

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Workers World Website

Just the name is suspicious. Socialist workers of the world?

[antiunion person]

Benderman was deployed in Iraq from March to September of 2003. During that time, he says, "elements of my unit were instructed by a captain to fire on children throwing rocks at us."

There is no way in hell an officer in the U.S. Army would order his men to fired upon kids throwing rocks. More likely these same 'kids' were setting up IEDs or some other sort of explosives. I remember hearing from a few older guys I knew in the military, that women and children would attack troop convoys and set up booby traps to disable and kill troops.

He also mentioned that he didn't enlist into the Army to kill people. What the HELL else is the typical soldier, marine, sailor or airmen trained to do, KILL THE ENEMY!!! Sounds to me like this a$$hole wanted all the benefits from being in the military and not work for it. Sounds a little like welfare to me. This 'man' and I use this term lightly, should face the firing squad along with his other 22 buddies who refused to deploy. Someone mentioned to have their families pay for the bullets for the firing squad. Just because this idiot is like this doesn't mean his family is. I WILL DONATE THE BULLETS AS LONG AS I GET TO LOAD THE POWDER INTO THEM. I wouldn't want a misfire happening and giving them more chances.

[austinmark]

Just like the Lazy ass, anti-war, insurgent sympathizers to HIJACK the WSAV story and CRASH it into the internet, trying to pass it off as a reliable & credible news story !
AAArrrrGGGGhhhh.........

[MarineBrat]

>>Good Conduct Medals are Nothing to brag about.

I was always told that a good conduct medal means that you served a certain period of time (3-4 years depending on branch/era) and in that time you managed to not pi## off an officer. You get it by default if you don't screw up. If you don't get it, then there's something wrong.

[LowInMo]

Treason should be treated as such and the penalty is death. No one has the guts to do it anymore. I only hope that we aren't forced to wake up to the fact that this is a war anytime soon. Our forefathers knew that there would be cowards and that they would have to be dealt with to keep from killing the fighting spirit of our soldiers.
My son is in the US Navy and if he pulled such a stunt I would carry out the penalty myself. Not that I have to worry about it, he has a good head on his shoulders and is not a coward.
The problem is that the talking heads are trying to make names for themselves by being against the war. Thay are so childish and self-absorbed that they think by following in the footsteps of those against the Vietnam war that they will make a name for themselves. I would urge them to consult Jane Fonda and the like about that. However this has a detrimental effect on our fighting force as they think the people are against the war and they are doing what is popular. Some people never grow out of their high-school days.

[Liberator]

Cut off this guy's "equipment" and turn "he" into a "she."

He's already a p*ssy.

[Nightshift]

Would not have happened in my unit