Post-Service: Would you hunt poachers in Africa?

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 14:45:22 -0400

Kinessa Johnson is a former US Army enlisted Soldier who now hunts poachers in Africa with an organization called Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife (VETPAW).

Would you ever consider going to Africa or anywhere else to hunt poachers?

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2015/03/26/15/10/meet-kinessa-johnson
https://www.facebook.com/tactical.kj/posts/ [login to see] 20563
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/03/daniel-zimmerman/former-us-soldier-hunts-poachers-in-africa/

Meet Kinessa Johnson - the ex-army officer turned anti-poaching advisor

Hard as nails: Meet Kinessa Johnson - the ex-army officer turned anti-poaching advisor to VETPAW.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 29 at 2015 2:51 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 14:51:27 -0400

This was a fabulous article and she is a wonderful woman... That said, and Kinessa Johnson is the first to admit it, she never was an Officer. She joined as enlisted and never sought a commission. https://www.facebook.com/tactical.kj/posts/ [login to see] 20563

Had I that inclination, I would probably do as she has done. The organization does amazing things for conservation and her addition to the line-up of advisers has boosted the publicity of the organization, VETPAWS.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 29 at 2015 10:15 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 22:15:35 -0400

I don't like most people that much, but to shoot a person for shooting an animal, unless he/she shoots at me might be stretching it a bit much for me.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 10:28 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 22:28:12 -0400

Killing a human being because they poached an animal? No. It's called "murder".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 10:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 22:58:03 -0400

She found a job with the skills she has.
As long as she is good with the choices she makes to earn money it is really none of my business.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 4:52 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 04:52:14 -0400

Response by MAJ Terry LaFrance made Mar 30 at 2015 6:03 AM

MAJ Terry LaFrance — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 06:03:17 -0400

Man, I'd do that for free, just pay my way and feed me.

Response by PFC Mike Mcdermott made Mar 30 at 2015 7:02 AM

PFC Mike Mcdermott — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 07:02:30 -0400

Good for her, I guess.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 9:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 09:29:31 -0400

I would do this any day....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 9:30 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 09:30:20 -0400

Sounds like a pretty cool job.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 30 at 2015 10:12 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 10:12:17 -0400

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member, would you be interested in something like this?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 5:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:28:34 -0400

I'm just going to say:

She's a badass!

The end.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 30 at 2015 5:39 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:39:11 -0400

Poachers in Africa are a pretty ruthless lot. I hope she has her "A" game on. They will kill her and anyone in their way with no regard. They killed over 100 game wardens (according to the article). Poachers know how to track and hunt. More media attention just puts her at more risk. A low profile would do her more good than anything else.

Response by SPC Joshua H. made Mar 30 at 2015 5:43 PM

SPC Joshua H. — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 17:43:11 -0400

I would, it's a hell of a job. The job is NOT to go out and murder people, it is to protected the animals. Yes, they carry guns, yes, they have an ROE just like most of us have had at some point in our military career, and yes, they will shoot to defend themselves. They are there for training and education and to come back alive.

Response by Sgt Daniel Albrecht made Mar 30 at 2015 9:15 PM

Sgt Daniel Albrecht — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 21:15:56 -0400

I would totally do that

Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made Mar 30 at 2015 9:17 PM

PO1 Jason Taylor — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 21:17:29 -0400

Yes

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 30 at 2015 10:28 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 22:28:37 -0400

Holy Shit.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 30 at 2015 11:00 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 23:00:14 -0400

Poaching has always had an extremely complex history socially. Robin Hood anyone?

We American veterans are among the most tactically apt in history. Our understanding of complex foreign social economic and cultural patterns? Mixed at best.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 11:04 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 23:04:44 -0400

Why is there poaching? The economy sucks and ivory puts food on the table. Want to eliminate poaching? Find a way to employ poachers so the don't have to resort to the ivory trade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygHH40MAL7w

A bit of Ms. Johnson's personal commentary as to what her mission in Africa is. Skip to about 1:25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Xvcv2-_3U

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 4:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 04:24:43 -0400

I would do somthing like this. I think I would be much more low key about it though. Not too worried about the danger to myself but I would worry about the safety of my family.

*edit to fix a typo

Response by SFC Charles S. made Apr 1 at 2015 12:22 AM

SFC Charles S. — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:22:38 -0400

Yes, I think that would be a great way to use skills that we have acquired in a positive manner. My hope would be that it would be a fairly lucrative position due to the inherent danger.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 1 at 2015 12:28 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:28:33 -0400

That sounds fun and dangerous. How do people find these jobs?

Response by SPC Chelsea Fernandez made Apr 1 at 2015 8:38 PM

SPC Chelsea Fernandez — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:38:38 -0400

All I have to say that she is a total bad ass..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 10:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 22:44:23 -0400

Just a quick heads up to anyone that would actually think about doing something like this:

The vetpaw site does not support encryption, meaning that any forms you fill out are ripe for the picking. If you don't want your personal information to fall into the wrong hands, I would advise against contacting them via their website.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 2 at 2015 10:00 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:00:08 -0400

I'm in love...

Response by SGT Rick Waegner made Apr 8 at 2015 2:26 PM

SGT Rick Waegner — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:26:22 -0400

Sure, with less-than-lethal projectiles and with full authority to detain the poacher(s) for local LEO.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 8 at 2015 3:32 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:32:21 -0400

Killing poachers is like picking at a cancer. You're attacking the symptom rather than the cause, and the people who buy the products of poached animals will simply send other poachers.

Yes, it's really that simple...

Response by SFC Ronnie Seaton Jr made Apr 8 at 2015 4:00 PM

SFC Ronnie Seaton Jr — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 16:00:19 -0400

I vote no, I don't have a thirst for blood. Any hunting or fishing is for food in my book. I don't have the luxury to do it for sport. And I don't eat people.

Response by MSG Nick C. made Apr 8 at 2015 4:28 PM

MSG Nick C. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 16:28:41 -0400

Preventing a species from be made extinct because people would destroy it for some pathetic excuse for trinkets or medicinal cures? Yes I'd gladly hunt poachers. Those creatures have no defense against us, nor do they have a choice as to the outcome of the fickle human greed that determines their future. I'm rather sick of the human condition and its determination to destroy itself and the rest of the world's inhabitants. What makes us worth more than the species we would inevitably eradicate? What have we learned about ourselves? Not a damned thing. Prove me wrong.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 5:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 17:37:10 -0400

To be honest, all I see are a bunch of "cool-guy" pics.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 6:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:17:12 -0400

Before

Response by SSG James N. made Apr 8 at 2015 8:51 PM

SSG James N. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:51:24 -0400

Dang, I just posted up on FB that dried poacher balls with a little vinegar gives older women's facial skin a very nice light and and makes them look younger! I'm down for hunting humans in Africa. If we can do so from helicopters with GAU2B's, THAT's SPORT!

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Apr 8 at 2015 8:59 PM

MSgt Aaron Brite — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:59:08 -0400

This is something I can get behind in combating trafficking in endangered animals. Good use of hard won skills after service in service to the greater good. The wardens can use other vet skills too especially technical. National Geographic had a piece on the challenges the wardens face and the hastle they go through just to set up a single channel radio repeater would boggle a com troops mind. Not that most army coms gear has to content with vandalism by humans and monkeys.

Response by SSG Brian MacBain made Apr 8 at 2015 10:43 PM

SSG Brian MacBain — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:43:03 -0400

If I was single and young, I would be right next to her. Not because she is a beautiful young lady, but for the mission of stopping poachers.

Response by SGT Daniel Piotrowski made Apr 9 at 2015 1:17 AM

SGT Daniel Piotrowski — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 01:17:55 -0400

Absolutely!!

Response by CDR Dan E. made Apr 9 at 2015 8:20 AM

CDR Dan E. — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:20:24 -0400

There are a lot of good responses in this thread and it really makes you think. Quite the interesting job, but it is still murder. I am all for protecting the animals and getting justice for the poachers who will kill anything just to get their dollar (there are other more ethical ways to survive and support a family) but it seems that a traquilizer round would be a more logical step toward capturaing and bringing to justice a poacher before outright murder.

Response by CPL Rashid Jackson made Apr 9 at 2015 8:45 AM

CPL Rashid Jackson — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:45:52 -0400

Oh God Yes!!

Response by SGT Dylan Epp made Apr 9 at 2015 8:50 AM

SGT Dylan Epp — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:50:24 -0400

Yeah I'd have no issues.

Response by Cpl Reginald Zenkewich made Apr 9 at 2015 10:11 AM

Cpl Reginald Zenkewich — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:11:11 -0400

If I were much younger I would not only help hunt poachers but would also hunt Hamas, al queda, and every terrorist org on the planet ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Response by PO2 D A made Apr 9 at 2015 10:13 AM

PO2 D A — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:13:37 -0400

Absolutely 100% even go as far as have air support to strafe them if necessary ?

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Apr 9 at 2015 10:36 AM

1SG Patrick Sims — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:36:44 -0400

Absolutely---But to hunt poachers means to kill poachers. Are you protected by the local government against prosecution, as well as our own State Department??

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Apr 9 at 2015 1:18 PM

PV2 Glen Lewis — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:18:13 -0400

No.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Apr 9 at 2015 1:30 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:30:24 -0400

The real question is would this story get as much air time if she wasn't good looking?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 1:39 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:39:37 -0400

Heck yeah! Good for her! I would do it too. These poachers are not simply poor souls looking to make ends meet. They are ruthless criminals with no morals and never give a second thought to killing an endangered species for a couple dollars.
Also, lets put some snipers on our borders to keep out the riff raff and assist the Border Control.

Response by PFC Ed Dunnigan made Apr 9 at 2015 2:06 PM

PFC Ed Dunnigan — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:06:29 -0400

If I could still keep up with the youngsters, Hell yes!

Response by SPC Stephen Bartlett made Apr 9 at 2015 2:50 PM

SPC Stephen Bartlett — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:50:44 -0400

Yes, those animals belong to everyone. Canvas the perimeter with drones & eliminate any breach swiftly, they will get the hint!!!

Response by LTC J. Lee Mudd made Apr 10 at 2015 12:19 AM

LTC J. Lee Mudd — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 00:19:15 -0400

Yes, I would.

Response by PO2 MrJohnparker . made Apr 13 at 2015 5:07 PM

PO2 MrJohnparker . — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 17:07:48 -0400

Schmidt & Bender very nice.

Response by SPC Robert Norton made Apr 14 at 2015 7:18 PM

SPC Robert Norton — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 19:18:12 -0400

hell yea, i just didn't think it was legal, where do i sign up? please contact me! and if i get paid for doing it great if not just expenses well I'm OK with that, it's for a great cause.

Response by SGT Robert Scott made Apr 15 at 2015 10:05 PM

SGT Robert Scott — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 22:05:54 -0400

Yes, I would go.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 7:09 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 19:09:13 -0400

I would Love to do this. I have five years left of my enlistment. How would I get in touch with someone to sign up for this?