The vast majority of Americans cannot comprehend the reality of combat. Media portrayals, no matter how seemingly realistic, only dimly reflect the true nature of what it means to come under fire from an enemy.
Films like “Lone Survivor” and “American Sniper” may be gripping, but the reality is even more intense, unsettling — and consequential.
Serving in Afghanistan in 2006-2007 with the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, my platoon and I engaged Taliban combatants repeatedly along the Pakistan border area. My platoon was deployed 485 days, with one of the highest casualty rates of the entire war.
The hardest lesson I learned was that in a combat situation, sheer uncertainty stalks you constantly. Amid that uncertainty, you’re forced to make instantaneous >To grasp the price of that uncertainty, consider the case of Clint Lorance — a 29-year-old U.S. Army lieutenant sentenced to military prison for ordering his men to fire upon Afghan nationals he believed were a threat. The facts suggest the punishment rendered to Lorance is a stark injustice — and is a chilling example to all who have had to make tough decisions in complex combat situations.
Here’s what we know:
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On a related note, I am amused at the amount of attention American Sniper is getting by those on the left. They reaction to the movie says more about them and how unhinged mentally they are. It's ONLY a movie. Period. It seems the left now what it to be 100% accurate down to the most smallest detail.
ReplyDeleteAs for your above post, that is 100% correct, most Americans have no clue as to what war is really like. I suspect they have been dumbed down by years of TV watching, to believe one can make the correct call in a high stress uncertain situation.
believe one can make the correct call in a high stress uncertain situation.
DeleteI guess I wouldn't make it through the first day the way things are now. When in doubt shoot unless you'd rather your buddy get killed over someone else.:
Things haven't changed much, huh! (USMC 'Nam 67-68-69) FN REMF have screwed over many a man better than them.
ReplyDelete:) I was there those years also.
DeleteThe military corruptocrats will put him immediately into the penalty box while they play footsy with Bergdahl.
ReplyDeleteAppalling. Just think Bergdahl might end up with less punishment than the LT.
ReplyDeleteAll Afghan nationals are a threat. They will be loyal to whoever is paying them or threatening their families. In my 4 years in Afghanistan the most honorable Afghani was stoned on hashish all of the time - did I trust him? No, I kept one eye on him and one hand on my gun.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy buddys CO said if its looks like a duck and walks like a duck just shoot it, dont wait for it to quack or you wont live to see another duck.
ReplyDelete:) Well said.
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