[Troll]

Don't think anyone has posted this before. Another of the famous "isolated incidents" or is the morale of the troops in Iraq flagging?

Mutiny On The Convoy?
A 'breakdown in discipline' among reservists in Iraq raises troubling questions
By JULIE RAWE

Monday, Oct. 25, 2004
So far U.S. officials in Iraq are steering clear of the M word, referring instead to a platoon's refusal to take part in a supply convoy as "a temporary breakdown in discipline." Some of the 19 reservists who declined to obey orders to transport fuel through frequently ambushed territory on Wednesday phoned their parents and begged them to tell members of Congress that this was a "suicide mission" because of the miserable condition of their unarmored vehicles. "Mom, I need you to raise pure hell," Specialist Amber McClenny said in a message on her family's answering machine in Dothan, Ala. Six of their trucks were scheduled to be removed from service because they were so outdated, and none could go faster than 40 m.p.h., according to Sergeant Larry McCook, who phoned his wife in Jackson, Miss. Specialist Major Coates told his father in Charlotte, N.C., that the platoon had been sent out earlier that day in a 40year-old truck that broke down before it even left the base.

The military's initial report on the incident stated that the soldiers "raised some valid concerns" about the convoy mission. The commanding general ordered an inspection of the vehicles as well as an investigation to determine whether any of the soldiers violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Meanwhile, a coalition-forces spokesman denied families' claims that the reservists were being detained. Says Lieut. Colonel Steven Boylan: "Things are getting a little out of control and have been exaggerated a little bit."

From the Oct. 25, 2004 issue of TIME magazine

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...725119,00.html

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally posted by Troll:
Don't think anyone has posted this before. Another of the famous "isolated incidents" or is the morale of the troops in Iraq flagging?

I only know a bit about this incident so I can't speak to the particulars.

However, I know that sometimes young officers are so intent on showing themselves ready, willing and able to follow orders and get the job done, that they will go off half-cocked...attempting to perform their mission without FIRST making sure the mission and the men have the best possible chance for success.

I don't know if that convoy was critical and time sensitive or just a routine supply mission.

It would be a shame if some of the men involved have to serve time over this. However, some lives might have been saved because of this.

Not only the lives of the reservists in question, but the lives of other soldiers that might be saved because other young officers will hopefully make damned sure THEIR people have the equipment they need and in good operational condition before setting out on a dangerous assignment.

It's called good leadership.

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by aberdeenwriter:
I don't know if that convoy was critical and time sensitive or just a routine supply mission.

It was time sensitive and critical.

When these troops refused to go, their commander sent another crew from their unit on the mission, and they carried it out and returned untouched.

As for these troops who refused - in a perfect world, they'd have had brand-spanking new vehicles, a squadron of fighter jets overhead, and a written guarantee of safe passage from the enemy. However, things don't always go right on the battlefield, and when there are other troops in desperate need of supplies, you just have to get the job done.

I guess we'll see what the inspection and investigation turns up.

[warmspit]

Originally posted by spacefreak:
It was time sensitive and critical.

When these troops refused to go, their commander sent another crew from their unit on the mission, and they carried it out and returned untouched.

As for these troops who refused - in a perfect world, they'd have had brand-spanking new vehicles, a squadron of fighter jets overhead, and a written guarantee of safe passage from the enemy. However, things don't always go right on the battlefield, and when there are other troops in desperate need of supplies, you just have to get the job done.

I guess we'll see what the inspection and investigation turns up.

hey, wake up call! that commander has been moved to a noncommmad position for "dereliction of duty".

[Capt Shane]

...

[cold_reality]

If its time critical all the more reason to have the vehicles checked out. The get ambushed cuz their "car" breaks down, now you have 2 missions, supplies and a rescue operation.