link

Perhaps now they will get the message - we have enough cowards of our own. . . .

   

Then why not join up? I heard Eisensapper say there were a major shortage of recruits.
Now, Afghanistan isn't Iraq, but then, you'd have all the more reason to go, wouldn't you?
Unless you're a coward ofcoarse.

   

ok, who's next ?


ROR, thats pretty damn lenient..

   

One more down. How many more to go now?

   

Would you mind expanding on this statement, maybe providing a link or two showing the number of Canadian troops deserting their posts to avoid overseas service.

   

It's best in these cases to just give them a short detention and then a very quiet dishonourable discharge. The main point is that deserters are separated from their former units and are no longer allowed to mix with active service members to in order to spread their disaffection. Harsher punishment would create too much media attention and just give the professional anti-American rabblers another soap-box to do more of their nonsensical bitchin'.

   

Nice spout. So what would you choose, Iraq or a Yankee prison?
A coward would just do what he's told and commit to the absolute minimum.

   

This has been 2 threads recently about deserters. But I have a question for the servicemen here: Why is it that so many US soldiers are coming home and killing themselves? I heard that the US has suffered 18 combat fatalities thus far in 2009 but has had 30 suicides. Any explanation other than the one that this discussion leads me to?

   

I'd figure on PTSD. There's still an undeserved aura of weakness associated with it. Even if the troop's chain of command is supportive, the individual may still view himself as a failure. With the effects being so varied it's hard to foresee if a person will decide that commiting suicide is the only option.

   

That would be my guess. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but are most US deserters servicemen who have ALREADY seen duty in the Middle East? I mean, these guys, for the most part, are not refusing to GO, but are refusing to GO BACK, correct?

   

Some were and I see where you're heading. If it is PTSD driving them to desert then they still need to head home to get the help they require. Running to Canada isn't the solution and may in fact worsen their condition. I figure that if it was the primary driving reason for their deserting, we'd have seen this same conduct amongst some of our own, which we haven't.

Using (as many have done) the terms "illegal and immoral" strike me as political justification as opposed to medical.

   

Perhaps you are correct, but if it is PTSD, are they cowards? I think that's a very strong word to be used, especially by someone who will never be in the situation.

   

Knowing what I do of PTSD (and that isn't much) I think if it was genuine, they'd have gone back or would be willing to return on their own volition to get the help they need. If it's a sham then it would be in their interest to avoid going back.

The "illegal and immoral" crowd I feel is completely different. I think that "coward" is appropriate for those who opted to run. I do not (and never will) group those who have the courage of their convictions to stand their ground and take their lumps with those who ran to avoid the consequences.

   

I think it is sad that someone would sign up, since we don't have a draft, and then back out. But then again army recruiters will pressure, brainwash, and trick people in signing up. Like offering cash bonuses, having a simulation then at the end handing people a registration form, or calling you 10 times a month telling you that if you dont sign up "something bad" will happen to you.

I think it should be someones personal choice...but you should at least think about it.