Reply #41: To me the inherent problem is... [View All]

a complete and total breakdown of the chain of command. The enlisted folks who claim they weren't properly trained, is quite frankly a load of bullshit. As we say down here "that dog don't hunt." Ignorance is no excuse, and just basic human dignity would dictate a more humane treatment. I'm baffled that they felt they needed to be trained in basic human compassion.

I know for a fact that before my unit deployed for Bosnia, and my other unit for Afghanistan right after 9/11, we received a fair amount of training on LOAC (laws of armed conflict) and the Geneva Convention as it related to the handling of enemy combatants. Now mind you, this was two separate units in two separate branches of the military. We were also specifically talked to about the handling of prisoners by our senior commanders--they both mentioned that if they found out about any mistreatment, we would be dealt with harshly--expect to go to jail was the message we got, loud and clear. It was a big deal for our chain of command, so it was a big deal for us.

That's why I feel the immediate chain of command is at fault. They either ignored what was going on, or they implicitly approved of it. Now the personnel comitting those heinous acts are just as guilty, because in our training we were also told about how we were OBLIGATED to DISOBEY an unlawful order. Apparently, only one person had the moral courage to do that.

My final thought about the chain of command breakdown was a comment I saw from Gen Karpinski, when she said something to the effect that the blame was not hers alone--the blame also lays with Gen Sanchez, the three-star that is her supervisor.

Again, bullshit. It was her command, she was the day to day commander, it was her primary responsibility and obligation to make sure that her prison system was being run in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. One thing as an officer we're taught is to take responsibility of what goes on in your command, and what you have authority over. Her pass the buck attitude, to me, speaks volumes on the type of commander she was. The fact that the officers are only walking away with written reprimands and the enlisted personnel look like they'll face a court-martial and jail is almost as outrageous as the pictures themselves.

They all need to be held accountable, for they are all equally at fault. Karpinski's court-martial should be first, IMHO.

And yes, I am proud to wear my uniform, because I do not feel that this is a reflection on the whole military, because the vast, vast majority of military personnel finds these acts heinous, vile, and disgusting. It is a stain on the honor of those who serve with dignity, and it is a stain on those who went before us.

It is not condoned as a whole, and is not tolerated in most places.

Unfortunately in Gen Karpinski's command, it was.