National Guardsmen charged with Cowardice

What makes a coward? What makes someone brave? I just saw a story on CNN about a soldier, a National Guardsmen who was brought into Iraq. He witness an Iraqi brutally murdered by the troops and experienced panic attacks. He struggled with it and determined that the best thing to do...to not put others in danger...was to report his panic response and that he couldn't handle it. He was charged with Cowardice. They've now reduced this to dereliction of duty. I contend that if he knew he couldn't handle the job and felt other's were at risk, particularly being a male in service, that is was BRAVE NOT cowardly to report his concerns. What do you all think. I have not served in the military so I could be totally wrong. I also doubt he thought he'd be fighting in Iraq as a Coast Guard member. I wondered what some of you think? I think he did the right thing.

regardless of whether it was cowardice or not he is being made an example of as for his decision if he really felt that he could not carry through then yes he did the right thing which i would find just as hard to do specifically because of the attention he is getting for it

Originally posted by thoth
regardless of whether it was cowardice or not he is being made an example of as for his decision if he really felt that he could not carry through then yes he did the right thing which i would find just as hard to do specifically because of the attention he is getting for it

It's really gotta SUCK for these guys and gals. I appreciate all of their sacrifices. I wouldn't be woman enough to do it. I wish they weren't there...but I'm glad honest people who can do the job or admit their inability are in place. I hope they go easy on this guy.

what this shows the others is that if they have a problem not to report it. and then when the time comes they are not going to be able to perform their duties so they are screwed eithier way

Cowardice? What the hell is cowardice?

Well, my dictionary says:

Ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain.

Half the soldiers that have been in the face of battle or captured as a POW for the first time have probably had experienced some sort of fear like that. When the life if you and your comrades are at stake, it's natural to be a bit frightened.

But why charged with cowardice? I mean, he didn't retreat in battle, as that is theh most cowardly think you can do in battle. Seeing someon ebrutally murdered for the frist time, friend or foe, is a traumatic experience. No matter how much training you get, there is nothing that can prepare you for the true horrors of war.

what this man is when he is making a sacrifice for the rich and wealthy...

Panic attacks are what i have and they boost the fight or flight responce.
he should have fought.

and he can't just attack because he wants to, you wouldn't be able to do that if you were in his position either...

the issue is that men are going to give him a complex because he didn't act like other persons, and when he returns home it will not be a plesant thing...

He witness an Iraqi brutally murdered by the troops and experienced panic attacks. He struggled with it and determined that the best thing to do...to not put others in danger...was to report his panic response and that he couldn't handle it. He was charged with Cowardice. They've now reduced this to dereliction of duty. I contend that if he knew he couldn't handle the job and felt other's were at risk, particularly being a male in service, that is was BRAVE NOT cowardly to report his concerns.

A soldier develops recurrent symptoms of a bonafide psychological disorder after being exposed to a traumatic and anxiety-inducing stimulus. He admits that he cannot control the attacks, and is now charged with dereliction of duty? Whatever happened to "Medical Leave"?

This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. If the soldier busted his kneecap so he couldn't perform his duties, would he still be charged with the same thing?

Psychological trauma is just as threatening to an individual's functioning as is physical trauma.

(which is non-existant) or awareness factor is exponentially increasing each passing day...

those that are members of a group and do not what they are told are just a liable for actions commited against that group, as being psychologically impaired...

in other words the beast is not playing people, do or die...

and die now or later...

regardless of whether it was cowardice or not he is being made an example of as for his decision if he really felt that he could not carry through then yes he did the right thing which i would find just as hard to do specifically because of the attention he is getting for it

Excellent observation.

This man, sad as it is, will be made an example of to refrain other soldiers from seeking out this same path. This man was thinking of his fellow platoon members when he brought up his panic attack. Congratulations to him!

I mean, would you want to be in foxhole with someone who you couldn't depend on 100% with your life?

I've had a panic attack, from the police, needless to say I think I ran faster than old school OJ Simpson.