"Shoot First, Ask Questions Later"

Posted By Subsunk

I love this guy's blog. He is a great story teller. And he is a fine Leader as well. Give the Man some traffic, will ya? Say Howdy to LT G.

And as any Clint Eastwood fan will tell you: 

Is one detained terrorist with some information better for the war effort than two dead terrorists? To hell if I know; it’s kind of one of those “is the glass half-full or half-empty” questions. I do know though, that the lesson I’ve retained from this sequence of events is simple and straightforward, and something that could be garnered from any Clint Eastwood film ever made: shoot first, ask questions later

.... makes a lot of sense.

Go enjoy

Subsunk

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Comments

[Soldier's Mom]

Sub:

Maybe it's just this silly ol' Army computer, but I can't get any of the links in this post to work.

[ST333]

My blood pressure is through the roof today with the insanity I've read today. This story is yet another example. It's almost as if they (the lawyers) want to hamstring our guys and put them at a disadvantage for the sake of appearance. I could easily sense LT's frustration reading that.

[tankerbabelc]

Been reading Lt G's blog for a few weeks now. Glad to see Blackfive send him some readers.

[Some Soldier's Mom]

I believe the exact words I used to my son were: "If it's you or them, make it them. We'll deal with everything else later."

[douglas]

Yeah, He's a good writer, and it seems also a good LT.

I thought his post was very thoughtful and illustrative of the sorts of real and serious decisions these guys have to make, and make in minutes or even seconds.

His being torn between the possibility of killing some teenager who (apparently) wasn't really a hardcore terrorist, or getting one or more of his men killed (or himself) was honest, difficult, and while he decided on his correct choice, he also acknowledged that his Captains decision wasn't wrong either.

It's the gray area in moral decision making that we as civilized people would prefer to avoid making, because sometimes life only leaves you with two difficult decisions, either of which bear heavy consequences. In the end, he decided he'd rather live with the life of that teen on his conscience than live with the life of one or more of his men on his conscience, or be dead. It's pretty hard to argue with that decision. On the other hand, the decision made by the Captain also has merits, and it's truly impossible to know who was right, or if anyone could even be deemed right or wrong.

One thing that I'm sure of- the SOB's that send those kids to plant IED's for $20 should burn in hell. I hope the LT gets to help them on their way.

I appreciate his sharing that experience with the rest of us, so that we can truly develop an appreciation of all that they do for us everyday.

[Cincinnati_Bob]

Some soldiers Mom. Did you ever read LT Smash? I remember him saying that he told his guys something like that when they arrived in Kuwait. They were some of the first people there. "If you feel your life is in danger, don't think about it, shoot to kill" as I remember.

Last I heard he was working at the Pentagon. Wonder what he's up to.

[Azygos]

Sorry to leave this in the comments but I thought it might be worth a front page announcement? And I don't have e-mail at work.

I am currently an active duty Army NCO conducting first of it's kind training at Walter Reed. Six NCOs have stepped up to complete BNCOC (ongoing now, with graduation set for March 28th) and I'd like to get some publicitiy to recognize their efforts and inspire others.

From Here http://3-116thsniper.blogspot.com/2008/03/ok-calling-all-spotters.html

[jpsc1]

Picked up the link for his blog somewhere last week. Very insightful.Have to question my son when he gets home from Iraq next month on all the ROE. Seems like BS to me.

[jpsc1]

Let me clarify that last post. I read Lt G blog and in no way disbelieve what he says. I just want to hear as much about the ROE as possible from my son.Now that I have firmly put my foot up my ass I will shut up.

[Davod]

"His being torn between the possibility of killing some teenager who (apparently) wasn't really a hardcore terrorist,.."

WTF? The checklist will get you or someone else killed.

For a broader view of the Rules Of Engagement you need only look at the lawyers involvement with the Israeli incursion into Lebanon - The triumph of legal defeatism. .

The Israeli JAG and the Attorney General boasted of how they hamstrung the military and political establishment. If you look at what our JAGs and legal establishment are doing and saying you will see the same arrogance.

[Mike in STL]

Thanks for the post, Sub. A lot of insight there, and you're right about LT G's writing ability (his earlier posts are good too). Every time I read this kind of thing, I'm continually impressed by the QUALITY of the young people we have as small unit leaders. Stay safe LT G.

[Joel L]

With all due respect to LT G and his captain the problem here is not lawyers, the problem is their monumental misunderstanding of the ROE. I discuss it at greater length at the below site.

http://grimbeorn.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html#3711576767744339184

Contrary to what some people seem to think, judge advocates are not some nefarious force dedicated to “hamstringing” the war effort. As a Marine judge advocate that began his career as an enlisted Marine in the artillery I can assure you that the overriding vast majority of judge advocates are patriotic Americans serving their county.

A more thorough understanding of concepts such as hostile act and hostile intent would have prevented the mental anguish described by LT G.

[winemkr]

Good god. And thank god that I have never had to deal with someone who over thinks like that.

ROE is his excuse not his ethos.

That was disgusting. I hope his troops find a warrior leader that will enable them to kill the enemy first and ask questions later.

This is a war.

"Take me to the Brig. I want to see the "real Marines". "
Major General Chesty Puller, USMC - while on a Battalion inspection.

[Davod]

Joel L.

Maybe the Marine ROE are different from the Army ROE.

[douglas]

Well, there's also the issue that an ROE is always a minimum guideline that can be modified by lower command levels to a more restrictive level, right? You can't exceed ROE, but you can command your units to observe a level of caution that exceeds the ROE, correct? That could be the problem here. Or it could be that there are other reasons, specific to that AO, and the goings on there, that justify a more cautious approach. Without knowing anything more specific, it's pretty hard to criticize either the LT or his Captain.