[Thanos]

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

herbie herbie:

The point missed is that there IS a SOP and military code of conduct. And any hint of violation they get investigated. Just to re-inforce them.
Not like some civilian trial where they worry about likelihood of conviction before even charging you.
What he's accused of won't be tolerated. Period. That's more important to the Forces than the innocence or guilt of one guy.

"You're disarmed. Here's a hankie to hold your guts in. I radioed your location in, done the best of my ability, gotta get back on patrol. Good luck Mohammed, hope you don't die before the doctor gets here."
would have avoided the whole matter.

Well said herbie.

Wounding is proven to be a better tactic sometimes than killing anyway. It ties up more enemy personnel in recovering their injured that would still be free to fight if their comrades were simply killed.

Assuming of course that the Talibs actually bother to tend to their own severely wounded rather than just shooting them outright to keep them from being a burden.

[EyeBrock]

Thanos Thanos:

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

herbie herbie:

The point missed is that there IS a SOP and military code of conduct. And any hint of violation they get investigated. Just to re-inforce them.
Not like some civilian trial where they worry about likelihood of conviction before even charging you.
What he's accused of won't be tolerated. Period. That's more important to the Forces than the innocence or guilt of one guy.

"You're disarmed. Here's a hankie to hold your guts in. I radioed your location in, done the best of my ability, gotta get back on patrol. Good luck Mohammed, hope you don't die before the doctor gets here."
would have avoided the whole matter.

Well said herbie.

Wounding is proven to be a better tactic sometimes than killing anyway. It ties up more enemy personnel in recovering their injured that would still be free to fight if their comrades were simply killed.

Assuming of course that the Talibs actually bother to tend to their own severely wounded rather than just shooting them outright to keep them from being a burden.

You have a valid argument. The 5.56 round we currently use definitely is more likely to give a severe wound than the 7.62 NATO round it replaced. The 7.62 really puts a very large hole in people as those old gits who have fired the FN or SLR will testify to. Bigger holes tend to kill more efficiently than smaller ones.

The Soviet doctrine for the use of chemical agents (as in poison gas) was referred to as an 'incapacitating agent', designed to wound and tie up more troops in attempts to render first-aid, medevac etc. There is also plenty of research into bullets that maim rather than kill.

[Gunnair]

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

Gunnair Gunnair:

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

What I find ironic is, during the most obscene event mankind can get involved in, somebody is going to be punished for murder. This is one of those cases where the ONLY people that should be allowed to judge him are other combat soldiers.
Those of you that are calling this a crime, that AREN'T and have never been in combat, have never been ambushed and have never had people trying to kill you on a daily basis need to keep your armchair judgements to yourselves.
For God's sake people grow up. Do you honestly believe for one minute that this is the first time in the history of the Canadian military this has happened?
The real issue is, this particular soldier was far from a malcontent, had an extremely good record and was a professional through and through. Until you've been in combat, you have ZERO right to judge his actions.
What I find interesting is, this is actually getting traction in HERE!! The toweliban are using IED's. That's just a fancy name for landmines. Last time I checked, there was a global ban on the use of landmines but I sure don't hear the peanut gallery shouting about that everytime one of our men or women come home in a body bag after being blown up by one. But you'll get all worked up about ONE of our soldiers killing the enemy while still abuzz with adrenaline after being ambushed. Pathetic!

Ask yourself this - is the kind of soldier who will execute a wounded helpless enemy combatant in cold blood the kind of guy you'd also send to Haiti, the Winnipeg Flood or walking around downtown Toronto?

Well, I have major doubts that a group of toweliban will be waiting in ambush in TO or Winnipeg so yeah, I would, ESPECIALLY considering this guy's record BEFORE the incident.

It appears you've missed the point.

Executing prisoners is murder. The person who executes them in cold blood is therefore a murderer. What is the comfort factor of a murderer going on a peacekeeping/recue deployment or walking around your home town.

One needs to dehumanize an enemy trying to kill you to kill them in combat. Dehumanizing someone who's helpless, that's psychotic.