May 31, 2006 -- Members of the U.S. military in Iraq will receive core values training beginning Thursday, as a result of the incident in Haditha in which American troops allegedly murdered 24 Iraqi civilians.
You have GOT to be kidding me!
Rant on the flip...(Disclaimer: I've never been associated with the military in any way. I've always visualized myself, in a way, as the guy that lost it in the first half of Full Metal Jacket. I'm basically a cowardly little mamma's boy with a lot of issues. But at least I know it and know better than to try and fake it otherwise. I respect those in uniform because despite my lack of courage, I know what it means to have that courage. I've seen countless examples throughout my life of that courage and will never doubt it in a member of our military.)
Maybe I'm just an idealist. But since when have we had to train our soldiers with:
a slide presentation with vignettes that highlight the importance of adhering to legal, moral and ethical standards on the battlefield.
Uh...ding dong. It's called leaders who lead by example! Did I not get a memo or something? I mean, I can see soldiers getting a little pretty show at the end of boot camp to just review a few things, but hello!!!! These are active soldiers, in the field, having already faced combat, and you think they need to see a fucking slide show? Are you fucking kidding me?
Oh man this is just pathetic. Our military is being made to look like buffoons by this administration!
The directive emphasizes professional military values, the importance of disciplined professional conduct in combat and an explanation of what to expect of Iraqi culture.Soldiers will also be reminded of the outcome if they act contrary to professional military values.
Oh what outcome will that be? A few more fucking training videos? Ooooooh...maybe this one will have rabbits and puppies in it! Oh boy!
Jesus Christ. These are soldiers we're talking about here. Soldiers (just like most people)do stupid shit for one reason and one reason only: There's no one standing next to them telling them to do otherwise. Nor has there been on past occasions. Period. That's all there is to it. End of fucking discussion.
Revenge, stress, panic, all of this is human nature. If our soldiers weren't prone to those emotions they wouldn't be human. I don't deny that. But when you are faced with new experiences, new realities, you need people there to guide you through it. That's what the leaders are for. They help form the culture that soldiers act within. Where doing the right thing is heralded and the wrong thing shunned. ALWAYS.
I just get the impression that the leadership in the military is now focused more on CYA than doing what's right. If you don't get caught, then it's no problem if you happened to kill 20+ Iraqi's. But if one of them damn liberals gets wind of what you did, we'll throw you under the bus in a heartbeat son. (Or is that how it's always been and I'm just now getting a clue?)
Well, I have no business talking about this. I'm not military and I'm probably talking outta my ass right now. But damnit, I've always believed that the results the team gives you is directly related to the one leading the team in the field. From sports, to sales teams, to marketing groups. The leadership is what always makes the difference.
But not this leadership team. Not this year's Pentagon. Nope...they are all about...
Slide Shows.