How do you as a Service member or Veteran feel about Americans killed while fighting against ISIL in Syria?

2015-06-14T11:29:53-04:00

District of Columbia - American Killed Fighting Against ISIL in Syria.
Washington - An American citizen has died while fighting alongside Kurdish forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria, the State Department said yesterday. The State Department is in contact with Keith Broomfield's family and no further details are being made public at this time. The Associated Press reports Broomfield is likely the first U.S. citizen to die fighting alongside the Kurds against extremists.

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Jun 14 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-06-14T11:31:33-04:00

Great cause, but not a representative of the U.S. government

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 14 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-06-14T11:40:11-04:00

A person should always have the Right to fight (& die) for what they (as an individual) believe in.

That said, fighting on behalf of one's Nation or in service of the Government offers Protections to said Right. It also confers restrictions on how they may do so.

This turns the above situation in to an Risk Management Calculation.

People have the Right to make their own decisions (good or bad). They must live with the consequences of those decisions.

Response by SSG James Yellis made Jun 14 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-06-14T13:01:01-04:00

I agree with all the responses that I have read on this topic, so on that said TOP, I believe it is ok to fight against all of America's enemies but the best way to do that is to be in the service of America. Still someone who puts his/her live on the line and dies doing it gets my respect.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jun 14 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-06-14T13:11:38-04:00

Americans - as individuals - have always fought America's enemies before America's government got around to "officially" fighting them.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/americans-in-the-royal-air-force/americans-in-the-british-flying-services-1914-1945.aspx

Americans in the British Flying Services, 1914 - 1945

Not all Americans in the RAF fought with the Eagle Squadrons, nor where they only involved in the Second World War. During both the First and Second World Wars thousands of Americans joined, usually by pretending to be Canadian. Many of these personnel were not even recognised as Americans, and were liable for service with any RAF units.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 14 at 2015 1:52 PM

2015-06-14T13:52:15-04:00

I could swear the another American died fighting with the Kurds a couple months ago.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jun 14 at 2015 3:00 PM

2015-06-14T15:00:11-04:00

I'm sure there are a lot of displaced or separated Soldiers that still feel they can contribute to a cause. Especially one our own government has refused to commit to, IMO. I support them in their endeavors to keep the world somewhat safe from evil tyranny. :-)

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jun 14 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-06-14T16:20:42-04:00

Who knows how long it will be before official action is taken against ISIS. I think Americans who go out on their own to fight them are doing so to protect those who are being targeted unjustly and maybe try to preserve what progress was made before the troop withdrawal took place.

Response by SSG Michael West made Jun 14 at 2015 7:54 PM

2015-06-14T19:54:48-04:00

I think that they have all of the right do what ever their conscience dictates them to do. then they won't have to be uses as an political football.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 14 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-06-14T21:45:33-04:00

You're life, you're choice. If that's what they want to do, not the first time someone has fought for someone else.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 5:07 AM

2015-06-15T05:07:30-04:00

I just wanna point out the flying tiger's. They even stole army aircraft lol.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jun 15 at 2015 9:05 AM

2015-06-15T09:05:56-04:00

The way I see it, people can make choices. They must live (or die) with those decisions. If individuals go over, they must do so NOT as a representative of the US Government. The only US Representatives are those under orders (military) and we must abide by the laws of armed conflict. Independents may not have to abide by these laws, but there is also no expectation that they will be considered legal combatants and it will suck for them if captured. (of course, even our LEGAL combatants/military members will have suck because we know the enemy does not play by the rules....)

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jun 15 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-06-15T22:55:39-04:00

While studying for promotion testing, I always enjoy reading the history section of the Professional Development Guide (PDG). Reading about men like Eugene Bullard, who after the outbreak of WW I, joined the French Foreign Legion and fought not only on the ground, but in the air. It is people like this, that make our country strong. I do not believe you have to be in the military to fight for what you believe in and sometimes it is easier to serve, when your hands are not tied by the government.