March 22nd is the 50th anniversary of My Lai. What is the military's legacy for this tragedy? What were your thoughts at the time?

At the time, i didn’t believe it. Now, though Lt Calley was ultimately responsible, i still point the finger at micro-management from the Puzzle Palace and the White House for putting American troops in a position where they were blamed for losses, but weren’t allowed to win (or even fight).

Afghan vets take note.

Bad people do bad things. So do weak people. I suspect that Lt Calley was one of the latter. He snapped from the frustration of the rules of engagement imposed upon him. He snapped from his inability to successfully lead his men in combat. He snapped because... well, who knows. But snap he did and he committed a crime for which he was punished. And America was punished because we who serve/served are/were agents of We the People. Sad...

MY PERSONAL OPINION is that Calley was a scapegoat to protect the senior officers who actually issued the orders. That opinion hasn't changed. It is 50 years after the fact. Learn from it and move on.