BLACKFIVE: OK, I forgot to add something to my list...

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OK, I forgot to add something to my list...

Posted By Deebow

When I made my list of "Things" that I sent to Matty from the 'Stan, I didn't have much of a problem with things like this (h/t Weasel Zippers)

American military forces in Iraq were authorized to pursue former members of Saddam Hussein’s government and terrorists across Iraq’s borders into Iran and Syria, according to a classified 2005 document that has been made public by an independent Web site.

The document, which was disclosed by the organization Wikileaks and which American officials said appeared authentic, outlined the rules of engagement for the American division that was based in Baghdad and central Iraq that year.

At least I didn't think I did. Predictably, there was a reaction;

The American military command in Baghdad on Sunday sharply criticized the group’s decision to post the document.

“While we will not comment on whether this is, in fact, an official document, we do consider the deliberate release of what Wikileaks believes to be a classified document is irresponsible and, if valid, could put U.S. military personnel at risk,” said Rear Adm. Gregory J. Smith, a spokesman for the command.

As everyone here knows, when I talk about things that relate to what I did in theater, or military policies and such that I am privy to in this forum, I don't talk about specifically about operations I may/may not have participated in on/near/by/far away from the Pak border, because it is classified. I don't talk about how we called for air support, because it is classified, I don't talk about specific locations of firebases or FOBs with any sort of reference point, because it is classified and lastly, I don't talk about the specifics of the ROE, because it is classified.

This kind of shite sends me to the moon.

And the reason why is because I had to have a security clearance to have access to operations briefs, overlays, ROE annexes, resupply locations, comms freqs for the radios, crypto sets etc.

That security clearance was not a key to the door, it was a box of trust, into which the government puts this information and expects you not to be giving it to just any Tom, Dick or Harry that asks you to tell a freakin' war story.

The asshats who run Wikileaks don't get that this is not the playground, and there are no do-overs. Second place is a flag draped coffin and friend, loved one, or comrade in arms gone.

I am going to close with a little of Col. Nathan Jessup, who even though he is fictional, is a study in what it takes to defend a nation.

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You, Wikileaks? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Saddam, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Saddam's death, while well deserved, definitely saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to an organization who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

Whoever did this needs to be placed under apprehension for mulitple UCMJ Articles and after they are found guilty at their court-martial, they need to go to PMITA Prison for a long time.

I hope for their sake we never meet. The least they will get from me are some very pointed, very direct and very unkind words.

We need to bring back the Sedition Act.