From Blackfive:
Personally, I don't understand the combat lifesaver line of argument. If Maynulet had chosen to evaluate the Iraqi, would it then be more okay to kill him? I don't think the prosecution intended that...maybe that last quoted line was just for dramatic effect.
I heard about this on the radio Wednesday night (KVI AM 570 - Brian Suits, of course). Didn't know enough to make any sort of informed opinion, but I knew I didn't like it.
Read up on it. Damn! Captain Maynulet screwed up. He never should have shot the guy like that. It goes against all training, doctrine and rules of engagement. I'm not sure if he just felt sorry for the guy or just wanted him to shut up or what. The one thing that is sure is that he did it and he shouldn't have.
Great officer with a great record. Makes a bad decision at the end of a running gun battle in a war zone and "poof" no more career. No more Army. People who have never served in the Armed Forces don't understand the pressure and consequences of "one bad decision". I really feel for Captain Maynulet.
Regardless of the fact that I feel very, very sorry for the Captain, the Court Martial had to find him guilty. We can't have soldier's out there "putting people out of their misery", it just ain't how it's done by the guys on our side. I'm glad they used the lesser charge and only dismissed him from the Army with no prison time. Sure hope it was a general discharge and not one with negative impacts. A dishonorable discharge is a huge liability to drag around in your life. A general let's him have GI bill and VA benefits. I hope it was general. Getting booted from the Army he loved was punishment enough.
I hope he lands on his feet and that this will not become the defining moment in his life...
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