Posted on Jan 16, 2018
Navy filing homicide charges for McCain, Fitzgerald commanders
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I expected court martials but didn't see homicide coming. I can't help but think that this is political. Infantry officers that get their troops killed don't get charged with homicide, do they? Hmm.
Navy filing homicide charges for McCain, Fitzgerald commanders
Posted from navytimes.com
Naval/Maritime History
Sailors
UCMJ
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 8
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"Infantry officers that get their troops killed don't get charged with homicide, do they?"
Infantry folks aren't in the habit of running huge ships into things either, but I get your point. If dereliction is involved, then folks will be charged. Regardless of location. I don't know that this passes the smell test, however.
Tragic either way.
Infantry folks aren't in the habit of running huge ships into things either, but I get your point. If dereliction is involved, then folks will be charged. Regardless of location. I don't know that this passes the smell test, however.
Tragic either way.
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SN Greg Wright
TSgt David L. - Oh you're 100% correct. These guys screwed the pooch. In a myriad of ways. I just think if officers start being charged with homicide, as opposed to dereliction or whatever (combined with ending their career of course), everytime someone has the potential to die you're going to have a lot of officers hesitating.
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SSG (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright - I think that this should be administrative and not criminal charges. There are problems but I don't see getting to the criminal level but I do think there is much more going on then we know about.
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LT Brad McInnis
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SN Greg Wright I am torn on this, unbelievably... I don't think that there was any reason that they should have ever got into an accident if they followed basic seamanship. But, when the same brass that is going to prosecute them on charges that have never been brought before on a case like this, also do not give them the proper tools, training and manpower to do the job, then there is something inherently political in the process. It will come to the point that no one wants to be a CO anymore... really sad all around...
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SCPO (Join to see)
LT Brad McInnis -"But, when the same brass that is going to prosecute them on charges that have never been brought before on a case like this, also do not give them the proper tools, training and manpower to do the job,"
Exactly, if they get good lawyers this could backfire on the Navy.
Exactly, if they get good lawyers this could backfire on the Navy.
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SN Greg Wright
SCPO (Join to see) - I just think it's a terrible precedent. Human nature dictates that officers who think they're going to be prosecuted are going to change their behavior, and that will almost certainly impact their performance and thus, their unit's. If they start doing this, are they going to prosecute platoon commanders for homicide when infantryman die? I'm not defending these guys at all. They clearly screwed the pooch. I just think this is a slippery slope. LT Brad McInnis
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When you are charged to care for lives and you perpetuate negligence. This is what results.
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