Army Drops Cowardice Charge Against Soldier

[GalvestonDuck]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/2619140/detail.html

Army Drops Cowardice Charge Against Soldier

He requested counseling after seeing the body of an Iraqi man cut in half by American fire.

The soldier, who was was stationed in Iraq as an Army interrogator at the time, said he asked for counseling but was warned by his commanders about how it would affect his career. He was eventually returned to Colorado and charged with cowardice.

He said seeing the mangled corpse caused him to shake, become ill, and lose sleep. But he denies acting in a cowardly way.

His lawyer said dereliction of duty is a minor offense that -- if disposed of without a court-martial -- usually carries a penalty of loss of pay or rank reduction.

Cowardice violations can be punished by death. Military code does not include a minimum sentence.

A military court hearing set for Friday has been canceled.

[stormchazer]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/2619140/detail.html

Army Drops Cowardice Charge Against Soldier

He requested counseling after seeing the body of an Iraqi man cut in half by American fire.

The soldier, who was was stationed in Iraq as an Army interrogator at the time, said he asked for counseling but was warned by his commanders about how it would affect his career. He was eventually returned to Colorado and charged with cowardice.

He said seeing the mangled corpse caused him to shake, become ill, and lose sleep. But he denies acting in a cowardly way.

His lawyer said dereliction of duty is a minor offense that -- if disposed of without a court-martial -- usually carries a penalty of loss of pay or rank reduction.

Cowardice violations can be punished by death. Military code does not include a minimum sentence.

A military court hearing set for Friday has been canceled.

I am suprised that more soldiers don't need this type of assistance. I know a soldier must be strong, but they are human. I think the military is doing the right thing here.

[OtherHD]

Well, when you sign up for the military, it means (or at least it SHOULD mean) that you assesed the risks and possible consequences of fighting in a war, should one occur. Personally, I would never sign up for the military for this very reason. I wouldn't be able to "handle it", and I admit that! Besides, there are just as many good things that I can do for this country right here at home. I guess I'm glad the Army dropped the charges, but this guy should have known what he was in for...

[opera ghost]

Sometimes you think you can cut it when you sign up for something that you can't really comprehend. I thought I could cut a closed MRI- I've never been claustrophobic and I'm pretty self confident. I thought it would be a breeze. They had 15 seconds with me counting under my breath to calm myself and whimpering before I finally screamed that they had to get me out -NOW. I was a sobbing mess for half an hour afterwards.

Same with my dad and wanting to be a doctor. Until he volunteered in a hospital ER he thought he didn't have any problems with blood and gore. Turns out he has a weaker stomach than he thought- and immediatly changed his major from pre-med to psychology.

You "know" going in... but until you see a human being cut in half by ammunition within walking distance- blood flying everywhere, screams and the true horror of a battlefield you can't be absolutly certain you can cut it. I hope he gets his counseling.

Then again I know I couldn't cut it- I went into shock when I cut my forehead open and needed a pair of stitches. Hyperventilating and giggling like crazy. I'd probably fall over on a battlefield laughing so hard I'd be immobile and *snap* boom- no more Opera Ghost. Ew.