Posted on May 3, 2022
Texas Guard’s guidance deterring soldiers from saving drowning migrants draws scrutiny
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Texas Guard’s guidance deterring soldiers from saving drowning migrants draws scrutiny
By James Barragán, The Texas Tribune and Davis Winkie
May 3, 11:21 AM
A Border Patrol boat on the Rio Grande between Piedras Negras, Mexico, and Eagle Pass on Nov. 8, 2021. (Verónica G. Cárdenas for ProPublica/The Texas Tribune)
This article is co-published and co-reported with the The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit newsroom that informs Texans about state policy and politics. Sign up for The Brief, its daily newsletter.
The recent death of a National Guard soldier who drowned trying to save migrants in the Rio Grande has led to increased scrutiny of the Texas Military Department’s policy discouraging service members assigned to Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border mission, from engaging in water rescues.
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT (Join to see) PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones Sgt (Join to see) 1SG Dan Capri SGT Steve McFarland SrA John Monette SFC (Join to see) GySgt Jack Wallace SPC Michael Terrell SMSgt Anil Heendeniya CPL Douglas Chrysler SGT Damaso V Santana
Texas Guard’s guidance deterring soldiers from saving drowning migrants draws scrutiny
By James Barragán, The Texas Tribune and Davis Winkie
May 3, 11:21 AM
A Border Patrol boat on the Rio Grande between Piedras Negras, Mexico, and Eagle Pass on Nov. 8, 2021. (Verónica G. Cárdenas for ProPublica/The Texas Tribune)
This article is co-published and co-reported with the The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit newsroom that informs Texans about state policy and politics. Sign up for The Brief, its daily newsletter.
The recent death of a National Guard soldier who drowned trying to save migrants in the Rio Grande has led to increased scrutiny of the Texas Military Department’s policy discouraging service members assigned to Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbott’s border mission, from engaging in water rescues.
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT (Join to see) PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones Sgt (Join to see) 1SG Dan Capri SGT Steve McFarland SrA John Monette SFC (Join to see) GySgt Jack Wallace SPC Michael Terrell SMSgt Anil Heendeniya CPL Douglas Chrysler SGT Damaso V Santana
Texas Guard’s guidance deterring soldiers from saving drowning migrants draws scrutiny
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."One soldier assigned to the mission told the Tribune and Military Times that two of his colleagues had witnessed a migrant drowning in February, describing the experience as “extremely emotionally distressing.”
“They didn’t even have time to jump in the river to save anyone,” the soldier said, adding that the event inspired a now-fulfilled request to equip each observation point in the sector with emergency throw ropes that give troops more options to help.
The military department has said it has offered mental health professionals to airmen and soldiers on the mission.
Lawmakers said the newly delivered water equipment will help protect troops who want to help drowning migrants.
“You’re not going to tell some young man to not go save a woman or kid drowning in the river. That’s not in our DNA as soldiers,” said state Rep. James White, R-Hillister, a former infantry officer in the Army. “I’m confident that as these devices are distributed, they’ll come with appropriate training and protocols.”
But without the right training and clear policies, rescue expert Turnbull explained, the equipment won’t be enough.
“Just a few throw bags and [a few] ring buoys?” he asked. “They’re setting themselves up for more heartbreak.”
..."One soldier assigned to the mission told the Tribune and Military Times that two of his colleagues had witnessed a migrant drowning in February, describing the experience as “extremely emotionally distressing.”
“They didn’t even have time to jump in the river to save anyone,” the soldier said, adding that the event inspired a now-fulfilled request to equip each observation point in the sector with emergency throw ropes that give troops more options to help.
The military department has said it has offered mental health professionals to airmen and soldiers on the mission.
Lawmakers said the newly delivered water equipment will help protect troops who want to help drowning migrants.
“You’re not going to tell some young man to not go save a woman or kid drowning in the river. That’s not in our DNA as soldiers,” said state Rep. James White, R-Hillister, a former infantry officer in the Army. “I’m confident that as these devices are distributed, they’ll come with appropriate training and protocols.”
But without the right training and clear policies, rescue expert Turnbull explained, the equipment won’t be enough.
“Just a few throw bags and [a few] ring buoys?” he asked. “They’re setting themselves up for more heartbreak.”
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GySgt Jack Wallace
No screaming eagle sh..!!!!!!! how in the world can one just look at a person drowning and do NOTHING? And then there reply, it's emotionally distressing..It would be to me also.Note; how-about throwing a rope, life jacket or something thats floats. Just do something, if not how are you going to live with yourself??? A serviceman thats does nothing needs to be kicked-out.
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SGT (Join to see)
You need to understand the Fear of white republican Texans. Then you will understand why this is acceptable. A female got caught in the wired boys and as a result had a miscarriage.
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That's called state-directed homicide. Hopefully, this guidance will be struck down as immoral.
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MSG Thomas Currie
Or perhaps you could read what is actually going on instead of just the clickbait headline.
No one has been told not to rescue anyone. They have been told that they should not be stupid enough to jump into dangerous water without training or equipment.
No one has been told not to rescue anyone. They have been told that they should not be stupid enough to jump into dangerous water without training or equipment.
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