Posted on Jun 14, 2015
How do you as a Service member or Veteran feel about Americans killed while fighting against ISIL in Syria?
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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.
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.
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ISIS
ISIS
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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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.
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.
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1SG David Lopez
Very well said, I agree with you 100%. That risk management calculation, I hope will not get other American servicemembers injured or worse considering what may be the outcome should Americans fighting un-officially be captured by ISIL, and the US is forced to conduct a POW snatch.
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1SG David Lopez
Very true. I am torn between fighting for a noble cause, yet not joining your countries military which is also fighting the same cause.
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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. :-)
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1SG David Lopez
That is very American of you. Giving support to Americans fighting evil tyranny in order to keep our world safer. True American cause.
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TSgt David L.
1SG David Lopez, Thanks Shirt. Short of joining up with them I really can't support them, but if someone might change their opinion a bit then I've done what I can. Hopefully our leadership will opt to fully engage in this endeavor so we can put these shitheads on the run,
Dave
Dave
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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
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.
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1SG David Lopez
Thanks for pointing that out COL Ted Mc. This is true of Americans. Maybe this media coverage may open the window for Americans that may want to take the fight to the ISIL?
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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.
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1SG David Lopez
Good luck on your promotion testing. That is probably appealing to Warriors with a Cause, not having your hands tied by the Government.
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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....)
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I just wanna point out the flying tiger's. They even stole army aircraft lol.
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1SG David Lopez
That would be great to see a Modern version of the Flying Tigers supporting this cause. It would not surprise me to know this may be happening already. OPSEC...
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COL Ted Mc
PO2 (Join to see) - PO; The "Flying Tigers" were actually funded by the US government (admittedly not directly but the US government gave General Chiang Kai Chek the money to pay [after he had deducted his cut] the salaries and operating expenses) and had their equipment provided by the US government (admittedly not directly but the US government gave General Chiang Kai Chek the money to pay [after he had deducted his cut] the US aircraft companies for the aircraft which it would have been illegal for them to sell to China without the consent of the US government).
1SG David Lopez - The Iraqi government would be more than pleased to have the equivalent of the "Flying Tigers". After all, they are always on the lookout to find new ways to divert American taxpayers' dollars into their own pockets and the pockets of their Iranian "advisors".
1SG David Lopez - The Iraqi government would be more than pleased to have the equivalent of the "Flying Tigers". After all, they are always on the lookout to find new ways to divert American taxpayers' dollars into their own pockets and the pockets of their Iranian "advisors".
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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.
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1SG David Lopez
I'm sure there are many reasons why Americans go at it on their own to fight ISIL in the middle east.
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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.
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1SG David Lopez
I respect you opinion, and I agree 100%. Not sure of the training, experience, logistical support, and leadership that is the unit which Keith was attached to. But I ask myself, will this draw in more U.S. Military units and/or logistical support in order to provide more support for Kurdish units with Americans attached to them.
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SSG James Yellis
Wow TOP, that is a very interesting point you just made. Whatever the out come, I hope the best for our Military units that get involved in this situation
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1SG David Lopez
I see your point. My opinion is, either we (the US Military) are all the way in with overwhelming numbers or we do not go in half-ass. It was on another discussion where I pointed out my thoughts on our involvement. If we send our troops, let's send them to win, not to stay for another decade while politicians negotiate and place restrictive ROEs on our troops.
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