40 years ago when I took my "Basic Training" we were taught many things

[Bandit]

First and foremost among them was a course called "Code of Conduct" It was a long detailed course that went into Geneva Convention Rules and basic handling of POWs. I realize none of our current Administration has ever learned these things as they have never served but don't todays GIs learn the same basic course on "Code Of Conduct"? It is listed on my DD-214 form as one of the "Awards and Courses" along with HAZMAT training although it was referred to as something different in those days. How can any soldier today say they don't know the "Code Of Conduct" that is basically followed by all countries? Like I say I know why our Administration doesn't know how to behave but our troops? Come on.

[mmonk]

1. but this is different

remember 9/11 (sarcasm).

[BOSSHOG]

2. 32 years ago here Bandit

and yes Code of Conduct was part of our basic curriculum. Its just plain wrong. Yet quite ironic. I would hazard a guess that these soldiers involved in the torture photos were raised in good christian conservative families. Its so reassuring that bush finds their actions despicable. Actions of members of his base.

[saigon68]

4. 1965 FOR ME

I remember almost everything, the names of the DI's the people I drilled with who the squad leaders were and I remember this. "The Code of Conduct"

Some where here it got lost

[bobthedrummer]

3. How the fuck can a guy work for 6 years as a corrections officer in VA.

be 37 years old and a sergeant in the US Army and use that as an excuse?

But, most of all, who were the traitors that allowed Titan and CACI to take over, no more national security whitewash- who are these treasonous people???
:grr:

[saigon68]

5. Its just Bullshit

No court martial jury will buy that shit for one minute. This is a public defense leaked so FAUX NEWS et al. can come to the Defendant's rescue

a calculated ploy by his Attorney

[Skittles]

9. my guess is the war did not make him lose his humanity

perhaps he is a sadist. Some of those VA prisoners need to be interviewed.

[Hubert Flottz]

6. Thirty five years ago the Army made you remember the code!

I'd expect countries like Hitler's or Saddam's not to teach the Code of Conduct, but not a democratic nation like the US or the UK! Americans do things like this and then are surprised when the Iraqi people roast the private contractors to even the score? I just wonder what those contractors had been doing to the "Liberated" people of Iraq, before they were rounded up and killed? Were the conractors armed? Were they some of the people sent there to extract information from Iraqi prisoners! We only get one side of the story!

[mike_c]

7. wink, wink, nod, nod....

But the U.S. is no longer interested in playing by the rules-- we want only to dominate at any cost.

Note that the abuse of Iraqi prisoners (and undoubtedly Afghani POW's as well) was not the action of some isolated sociopath-- it was at least partly systemic and institutionalized. These were the acts of people who have been systematically given the impression that the rules don't apply to them because they're 'Murikans.

I wonder how much abuse wasn't documented? Would the military have even given a rat's buttocks about this case if the lid had been kept on the photos? Personally, I doubt it.

[Skittles]

8. 29 years ago for me

I was taught my first "Code of Conduct" growing up. The Air Force taught me the military Code of Conduct. I too have difficulty believing the ignorance excuse.

[TN al]

10. 17 years ago...

...for me in basic training. And again 14 years ago in PLDC. Received it again 10 years ago in BNCOC. His excuse is weak, very weak.

[sce56]

11. That was before the Neocons took control of the country

And now the military is being subcontracted out! But it is still a mandatory subject taught in basic. I bet these troops were just doing what the Mercenaries hired by DOD to do the dirty work were telling them (contractors do not swear out an oath to uphold and defend the constitution, but the president and vice president did so who cares right?) I sure hope they get an open court martial in fact we need to have it televised! Of course what else would you expect from a defense dept that ignores and overrules the ranking generals who said it would take many hundred thousands at least 300K troops to secure the peace in Iraq! Rumsfeld did not care now we see the results of his failed policies overworking the undermanned troops in a increasingly hostile country! But what the heck at least we made a small victory here in California Walden O'Dell's Diebold voting systems have been decertified and a criminal investigation is underway against them for stealing our paid for with the blood of our soldiers right to vote!


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