Trump poised to send a message: Atrocities are OK in his military | Editorial

I have never had to kill someone. I remember a news story on one of the networks about a group of US soldiers clearing a Mosque where enemy fighters had been treating the wounded. The wounded had been abandoned. As US troops entered an interpreter told the wounded not to move. One man started to roll over and a soldier shot him. News men filming were shocked. The Army information officer told the news men the soldiers have a duty to protect their comrades. Was the man rolling over because he hurt or because he had explosives under him? Not clear cut. But every American soldier and news person left the building alive!

I often tell stories (who doesn't)...but there are some I don't tell often. Sometimes, I don't want the scrutiny of , "c'mon-really?", or to appear like I'm trying make myself sound like more than I am/was. This topic however, brings a certain 'story' to mind: I had been in country as an embedded training team (ETT) member for about half of my year-long tour. My assessment of our "role" there is that we were swimming in the deep end of the pool without much training, experience, or "pedigree" for what were doing. One of these tasks was working alongside local, tribal leaders to further the cause of Afghan autonomy, and respect for the ANA (Afghan National Army). While on these missions, I often acted as "Boss's" eyes and ears... since he would be focused on the meeting; often in some tenuous location in the countryside. One day, I'm standing there, when a little boy... maybe five or six... started slowly walking toward the hut Boss was drinking chai with the elders in. The kid had that "blank" look, slow walk, and was carrying something concealed in both hands, close to his chest. I had a few seconds to decide if I should shoot the child, call-out to my team members, or do nothing... what I did had more to do with instinct than any kind of "plan". I ran up to the kid, picked him up... and started running in the opposite direction. Maybe I just couldn't pull the trigger... or maybe I figured at that range, it was better to try and get him further way... honestly, I don't know.

The kid started laughing as little kids do.

When I sat him down, he opened his hands and showed me the bird he had killed with a slingshot...he wanted the "big American guy" to see what a good shot he was. My heart stopped for a few minutes.

The point of this rather long story is that things could've gone much differently. If I had fired, I may have started a firefight and got my friends killed... I may have been brought up on charges...or called the entire Navy ETT mission into question. I made a choice, it turned out to be the right one... that time. We have to be very careful about applying "normal" rules to people operating in theaters of combat.

However, we have to be equally careful in dismissing charges that may point to grave breakdowns in the system we fight to defend-otherwise, what's the point? Personally, I think there are plenty of evil people wearing a uniform... and plenty of good people who find themselves in evil circumstances. I'm all for protecting those who take untold risks on our behalf from politically motivated prosecution... but I think pardons should be rare, commensurate with the specific circumstances, and in keeping with our highest values.

At this point Trump has requested material on Gallagher, so I'll wait until there is any action instead of taking an article as fact. For now, at least, seeing that a number of other cases have shown clear chain of command influence that warrants concern that these men are being fairly tried, I'll reserve judgement.