The primary job of the US military is to bring as much force to bear as is necessary to implement the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. We recruit, motivate, train, pay, equip order and expect those brave enough to answer their country’s call to go anywhere around the world at a moments notice to kill or capture those who stand in the way of achieving those objectives. The least we, as a nation can do to support them in their mission is to refrain from second-guessing their every battlefield decision. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what America’s future politicians, the armchair quarterbacks of the JAG Corps, are doing to yet another of America’s bravest, most dedicated warriors.
Anyone who watched the Iraq war coverage on television remembers the horror as the charred bodies of American security contractors were dragged through the streets of Fallujah and strung up from a bridge. To the relief of the families of those four American men and the entire nation, the best of the best, the US Navy SEALS, eventually apprehended those responsible for this and other senseless acts of depravity.
As a result of that successful mission, US Navy SEAL Operator SO2 Matthew McCabe stands accused, not of war crimes, desertion, treason or executing civilians, but of assault, dereliction of duty and the ubiquitous, ridiculous, trumped-up charge of making false official statements for allegedly punching captured terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed in the stomach and impeding the investigation. McCabe’s fellow SEALS Julio Huertas and Jonathan Keefe are charged with impeding the subsequent investigation.
SEALS are chosen, not because they’re some Rambo-like sack of testosterone itching for a fight, rather for their brains, discipline, psychological make up, composure and ability to adapt quickly under pressure. They aren’t bar-room braggarts who liquor-up and boast about their abilities or exploits or show their temper easily. Rather, they are the quiet, consummate professionals who perform thankless and often secret tasks that none of us would ever wish to do. I find it objectionable to even suggest that one of America’s most disciplined warriors, who underwent months of the most grueling training imaginable and could have rang that bell and washed out at any time, would lose his composure in the manner he’s accused of. That’s my opinion, but I’m biased.
Let’s play Devil’s Advocate just for a moment and pretend that McCabe did punch this cretin in the bread basket. Thank you Petty Officer McCabe. Can I buy you a steak and a beer? As a former Navy Petty Officer and Shellback, I can tell you that I’ve seen tougher punishment meted out for an individual who failed divisional inspection; far rougher interactions, including bloodshed and broken bones, between military members themselves, over a woman or off-color joke.
Lesson 18 of the Manchester document, recovered from an al Qaeda safe house and translated by British intelligence, begins by instructing the terrorist to claim torture and mistreatment. We’ve seen terrorists level accusations of murder, torture and mistreatment over and over again, so why wouldn’t they claim they were force-fed a knuckle sandwich?
Convening Authority Major General Charles T. Cleveland was given wide latitude to dispose of these charges however he saw fit. Unfortunately, he chose the nuclear option. I’m sure Major General Cleveland is well-intentioned. Unfortunately, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
The military’s track record for fair trials leaves much to be desired. I no longer trust in the UCMJ or the military justice system’s ability to ensure our warriors get fair trials. If you want to talk about trust, ask Sgt. Brian Foster, wrongfully convicted, stripped of his humanity and Constitutional rights and imprisoned by a kangaroo court. He trusted the system would correct the wrongs perpetrated by malicious prosecutors and indifferent judges, but it took them 10 years.
Our military is being neutered at an alarming rate. Every allegation against every Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who doesn’t belong to some protected class is prejudged by their leadership. Major Hasan gets promoted while SO2 McCabe gets the shaft. Terrorists get Constitutional rights, while McCabe may not even get the chance to face his accuser. This isn’t the country I swore to defend. These allegations are among some of the most petty I have ever heard of. These guys deserve medals.
Jayme Evans
http://warofwits.org/
Sign the petition to drop the Charges against these Navy SEALS
Donate to Matthew McCabe’s Defense Fund
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