Marine charged with desertion returns to US to face Charges

2014-06-30T07:29:20-04:00

Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun has turned himself in to NCIS from an undisclosed location in the Middle East and is now back in the US. Cpl. Hassoun disappeared from his base in Iraq in 2004 and was later charged with desertion.

There are obvious similarities between the case of Cpl. Hassoun and SGT Bergdahl. As these two events unfold, is it fair to compare how each Service handles the return of Service Members who have left their post under questionable circumstances?

http://news.yahoo.com/marine-disappeared-iraq-2004-back-us-200407495--politics.html

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 8:12 AM

2014-06-30T08:12:37-04:00

I do think that it will be fair to judge the reintegration process as a whole after it is complete for both. However, I would judge it with caution as each situation is/was as unique as the service member involved. That being said, I think that this Marine made a personal decision and was responsible for his own subsequent disappearance 10 years ago. We will all have to wait for this to play out before we know the truth.... and that is if they make the truth public.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 30 at 2014 11:38 AM

2014-06-30T11:38:03-04:00

This appears very interesting, and I have my opinions on both disappearances.
I will await further details before I make claims/comparisons between the two.

For now, I will just note that he voluntarily returned after each absence. There are, of course, degrees of voluntary, and we don't know how voluntary this latest return really was, only that we didn't retrieve him by force.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 1:16 PM

2014-06-30T13:16:02-04:00

This might not be popular, but I couldn't care less what is done with him. I don't think it's worth a minute of my, or your, time. Let him go to live his life. Maybe he'll regret what he has done one day and realize the great opportunity he had to serve his country was wasted.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2014 1:17 PM

2014-07-01T13:17:42-04:00

I believe we need to care as how Bergdahl and Hassoun will set a precedent, which will be reviewed by the masses. Their conduct and subsequent handling will influence troops in the years to come because they have been so publicized. I believe these cases need to be handled in accordance with the UCMJ obviously; however, if there is a push to downplay their actions and not hold them accountable, future portents are not conducive to good order and discipline.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2014 5:35 PM

2014-07-01T17:35:01-04:00

Marine Cpl Wassef Ali Hassoun. Yet another deserter comes out of the woodwork. This guy deserted twice. The second time he faked dramatic capture and death by beheading.

At least this time no one is talking about automatic promotions and back pay. Though I wonder whether anyone has collected death benefits and/or survivors pay from military, civilian, or insurance authorities.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2674428/The-Mystery-Marine-Cpl-Wassef-Ali-Hassoun-two-time-deserter-accused-faking-kidnapping-turned-allegedly-spending-9-years-run-Lebanon.html

By some accounts he was a translator for interrogations but did not like being told to be aggressive in his language with the imams etc so he deserted twice w/ weapon & vehicle.

Then again, so far this is being treated like HR matter not desertion during armed conflict.

Even more bizarre, the Hassoun Family retained a Hollywood Image Consultant to peddle a script for a TV Movie and followon TV series about his experiences in, out, in, out, and in yet again of the military.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/02/11/deserter-story-marine-faked-kidnapping-hollywood-tv-movie/

So, what happens if we just let our deserters go without feeling the full penalty of the law?

Will future volunteers, draftees, and SMs be deterred from desertion by the outcomes here?

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Oct 7 at 2021 2:00 PM

2021-10-07T14:00:03-04:00

There is.probably be a downplay... The woke.commanders don't want to be accused of witchcraft, I mean racism so they are going to thrown it down the memory hole...n that will get them the blessing of thief superiors