Lone Survivor Scenario, what would you have done different?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:01:09 -0500

You would have had to read the book, or see the movie to answer this question, so I will assume you had done one or both if you answer.

If you don't want me to ruin the movie or book for you, exit this post NOW.

There was a small Recon SEAL team inserted to verify a HVT was in their AO, their Recon element was compromised by 3 goat herders, and a bunch of goats...what happens next is what this question is asking?

What would you have done differently?

I have an idea of what I might have done differently, but I will reserve it until I read your responses.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 5:22 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:22:02 -0500

In hindsight (20-20, of course), SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, they might have detained those three goat herders until they completed their mission. They didn't, and the rest is history ... the brutal end for several of the team members (three?) ... because those goat herders were able to alert their countrymen to the presence of Americans in the AO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 9:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 21:04:33 -0500

First, let me say that war can get very ugly. As we all saw in the movie, and some of us in real combat. A simple morally-biased decision...which was neither right or wrong ended up costing 3 men their lives. LT Murphy did what he was supposed to do; He made a decision.
Now, back to your question. If I was put in a similar situation, I would have at least tie up the goat herders and haul **s to the exfil location. If the integrity of the mission was still at risk, (some people might not like my next words so I won't elaborate) but, let's just say that I would do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 9:07 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 21:07:09 -0500

I'm asking for a decision, what would you have done? Not if what he did was morally and ethically correct. We know it was, but there are also other morally and ethically correct alternatives. Not just kill everything....

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 11:35 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 11:35:56 -0500

I would have called for exfil but taken the goat herders with us and released them at the PZ. This would have allowed for safe extract, you could potentially call for a QRF or insertion of another team in a new location to keep eyes on, or depending on ROE...called for a strike to ensure the mission was complete. Of course, it is easy to push for this COA since I have the example of what happened to review to eliminate an alternative COA.