Posted on Apr 14, 2015
Blackwater employees get long prison sentences, are the punishments too harsh or too lenient?
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This is going to tear at the core of many of us, especially those that served in Vietnam or later. Fighting an enemy that uses tactics which includes hiding in and amongst the population gives them a huge advantage of concealment and the ability to blend in amongst the locals.
What about the Rules of Engagement and the Escalation of Force, did it suffice in this situation? Was it used properly? Do you remember what this company was doing for us?
The link below indicates "U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Slatten, who witnesses said was the first to fire shots in the melee, to life on a charge of first-degree murder. The three other guards — Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard — were each sentenced to 30 years and one day in prison for charges that included manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and using firearms while committing a felony."
I fully expect strong opinions on both sides of the argument, and a survey type result gives a few options for some baseline as well as overarching answers/input. I am interested in your direct input as well.
http://news.yahoo.com/ex-us-guards-face-long-prison-sentences-iraq-080210504--politics.html
What about the Rules of Engagement and the Escalation of Force, did it suffice in this situation? Was it used properly? Do you remember what this company was doing for us?
The link below indicates "U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Slatten, who witnesses said was the first to fire shots in the melee, to life on a charge of first-degree murder. The three other guards — Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard — were each sentenced to 30 years and one day in prison for charges that included manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and using firearms while committing a felony."
I fully expect strong opinions on both sides of the argument, and a survey type result gives a few options for some baseline as well as overarching answers/input. I am interested in your direct input as well.
http://news.yahoo.com/ex-us-guards-face-long-prison-sentences-iraq-080210504--politics.html
Posted in these groups: 
Justice
Rules of Engagement (ROE)
Justice Rules of Engagement (ROE)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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I had a few dealings with Blackwater contractors and some other armed contractors during my several tours in Iraq. Just a few things that I noticed
- There was very little control of armed contractors throughout Iraq either by the State Department or the military.
- They did not abide by the same rules as the military. They consumed alcohol, had their own ROE, etc.
- This was one of the worst incidents involving contractors. I heard several instances of sexual assault, belligerent drunkenness, interference of operations in battle space controlled by military forces, etc
- Not all armed contractors were bad, many did great things to assist the military effort.
I don't know all the facts of the shootings and I will not speculate. I will say that I believe the punishment is a little harsh in regards to operating during combat operations. Most of those guys were former OD-A/SOF Soldiers that were extremely proficient in operating in the COIN environment.
- There was very little control of armed contractors throughout Iraq either by the State Department or the military.
- They did not abide by the same rules as the military. They consumed alcohol, had their own ROE, etc.
- This was one of the worst incidents involving contractors. I heard several instances of sexual assault, belligerent drunkenness, interference of operations in battle space controlled by military forces, etc
- Not all armed contractors were bad, many did great things to assist the military effort.
I don't know all the facts of the shootings and I will not speculate. I will say that I believe the punishment is a little harsh in regards to operating during combat operations. Most of those guys were former OD-A/SOF Soldiers that were extremely proficient in operating in the COIN environment.
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I wasn't on the ground with them and am grossly unqualified to pass judgement on them.
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It is hard to tell what really happened. In some cases I believe that "contractors" may have over stepped their bounds. This could be one, but it is difficult to say. This could also be a case of "pay back" for those times the line has been crossed. I don't believe that criminals (contractors or civilian) should get "off" on "technicalities. At the same time I don't believe that anyone should be prosecuted as an "example". If a person is guilty then they should be made to pay for their crime, if they are not guilty, then they shouldn't be punished just "because".
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