(Army Times) Editorial: Define hard labor

Editorial: Define hard labor

A soldier who tested positive for illegal drugs was made to dig holes for up to 15 hours a day in midsummer wearing his helmet, flak jacket and full ruck.

Meanwhile, another soldier was convicted of assaulting detainees in an Iraqi prison. He was made to paint barbells and move equipment inside a base gym.

Otherwise, the only thing these two have in common is that both received the same sentence at court-martial: hard labor without confinement.

The disparities in how those sentences were carried out raise serious questions about the law that allows for hard labor sentences and the way the military administers them.

The trouble is, the sentences are handed down by judges, but the punishment is administered by commands — with virtually no guidance on what is and is not acceptable.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_editorial_hardlabor_090808/$2e