Military

Throughout the course of th year, I would like to discuss military issues and controversies such as rules of engagement. Since the military and the government have such different views on policies, i think it will be very interesting to to focus on each perspective, and I will state my opinion. Rules of engagemnet determine when, where, and how force will be used during a military operatuion. So why does the government get to decide how soldiers do their job, when they themselves are not faced with making life or death decisions in combat? It is said these laws are put in place to avoid using unnecassary force. Marcus Lutrell, former member of SEAL Team 10 and "Lone Survivor" author is a critic of ROE, saying how these rules can constrain a commander from preforming his mission effectively. He has seen first hand what consequences ROE have when one of the members on his team was shot only because he awknowlaged the ROE. The specific rules are not posted for the public for security reasons, but I know from reading "Lone Survivor" that the U.S troops cannot fire upon the enemy unless a weapon is directly aimed at them or they are shot at first. They are not allowed to fire on known enemies with guns or explosives unless enemy action is taken, which is extremely dangerous and frusterating for the soldiers who, with their passion and excitement, "can't wait to shoot," according to the government. The governement may have a point, that young soldiers want in on the action and may be a little jumpy, but in soldiers' opinions and in my own for that matter, at least the most important part of war, the fighting, should be left up to those who know the situation the best. Since soldiers are trusted with defending our country, I think they should be trusted with when and where they enforce justice and how they defend themselves and their brothers and sisters in arms.