Posted on 02/14/2014 5:18:58 PM PST by Kaslin
U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan have skyrocketed under President Obama. Since 2009, 73 percent of all U.S. deaths in the country have taken place, amounting to 27.1 fatalities per month, on average. Billy and Karen Vaughn, Gold Star parents of Special Operations Chief (SEAL) Aaron Vaughn who was killed in action in 2011, are speaking out about why.
U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan are now forced to fight a two-fronted war. Before each deployment, these soldiers understand fully that day after day they will do battle against relentless terrorists with shifting loyalties and unspeakable hatred. But what none of them could have foreseen was the killing field that would open from their rear: the Continental United States.
Our government’s incessant tightening of already restrictive ROE (Rules of Engagement), compounded by the failed COIN (Counterinsurgency) strategy—also known as “winning hearts and minds”—has made an otherwise primitive enemy formidable.
Our best and brightest come home in body bags as politicians and lawyers dine over white linen tablecloths; writing, modifying, and re-modifying these lethal rules. Rules that favor the enemy rather than the American soldier. Rules so absurd they’re difficult to believe until you hear the same stories over and again from those returning from battle.
Rep. Louie Gohmert has spoken out about the current ROE and COIN, which are so restrictive he doesn’t see the “merit in the potential further sacrifice and loss of American lives in Afghanistan.” This sentiment is echoed by some members of the military as well. The Vaughns continue (emphasis mine):
“In a delicate discussion with an Army Ranger who recently left the military, we heard the following: “I had to get out. I have a family who needs me. I didn’t join to be sacrificed. I joined to fight.””
Under the current ROE, U.S. troops cannot fire without first confirming that a Taliban fighter is armed, even if they are sure the target is the enemy.
And if they violate these rules, troops fear being court martialed, imprisoned, or kicked out of the service all together. “The last thing a warfighter should ever be forced to experience is unnecessary fear,” the Vaughns write. “Fear creates hesitation. Hesitation creates flag-draped caskets. Flag-draped caskets create fatherless children, widowed wives, and childless parents. Our heroes deserve the right to fight with swift hands, clear minds, and confident hearts.”
Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jerry R. Curry sums it up best:
“To the American people an American military life is worth far more than the life of an Afghan soldier or civilian. For the current occupants of the White House and the Administration’s staff it seems to be just the opposite.”
We all know that at the end of the day Bammy will cut and run from Afghanistan just as he did in Iraq. I don’t want more brave men to die for a mission Bammy and the Dims will make sure fails.
This president likes to brag that he is really good at killing people.
Yeah, the wrong ones. He’s good at killing babies, border patrol agents, U.S. diplomats, conservative journalists, and U.S. soldiers.
Yeah. I know. Sad....
When my son was in Iraq for 3 tours under Bush, there was a steady drum beat of negative news just like I saw with Vietnam.
He had stupid ROE then, but got much worse with o’bozo. Then the allowing of fudge-packers and he had enough...
he got out after 8 years. 3.5 in combat zone.
I know there are many guys with the same or more in service that have “had enough”,and it makes me sick to see these brave warrior’s treated like crap!!!!!
(I better stop the rant now before I say something to get me in trouble with the mod’s)
In 1968 it was
Hey, hey, LBJ - how may kids have you killed today.
It’s worse under Obama
Rant on, MountainDad, rant on!
Had a campaign promise been kept no losses would hsve occurred to “nation building”. Granted it would be the same shit hole on exit as entrance. They like it that way apparently.
ROE= Rules of Engagement.
ROE= Rules of Engagement.
Jihad Watch’s Robert Spencer says that a major factor is the fact that it’s against Obama Administration, Pentagon policy to inquire about Afghanis’ opinions or beliefs, to try to ascertain if they’re truly friendlies, because of fear of offending them. So, police trainees or civilian traders around military bases are infiltrated by enemies.
I was asking if ROE was the reason, not for an explanation of ROE. Did you not read the very next post?
yeah but G.W. is Still the bad guy here there and everywhere.
And obammy is responsible for squat!
Exactly
Sorry.
No problem.
This will brighten your day.
Aye, it did that, amigo. Thanks.
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