RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,156409,00.html

Given the extreme pace of deployments and the stop-loss policy I guess this should be no surprise to anyone.

RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,156409,00.html

Lets stop making excuses for these cowards "strain of war" give me a F'ing break. Its too easy to get out other ways than deserting. We forget that in a time for heros, there will be cowards.
The other problem is these boys and girls join the army for reasons other than "fighting terror", which is what the Army is all about. Forget this college crap or 50,000 bonuses. Your *** is going to war, and all those incentives won't mean a damn if you are killed, so one better join eager and willing to fight terrorist. Now whether that be by supporting the fight or actively taking part in it, eventually a soldier will deploy to Iraq or afghan. People need to understand this when they make a committment to defend the constitution in 2007.
I say 10 years hard labor for deserters. This is no time for cowards. We must not show the enemy we support a cowards right to let his buddies down in the face of danger

The last paragraph of the story explains partially why there is a problem. Find the deserters and prosecute - there has to be a penalty for committing a crime. At the very least, when caught, they must reimburse the government for all costs related to their training and all expenses incurred in capturing them.

I'LL PUT THIS IN SIMPLE WORDS EVEN A REMF COULD UNDER STAND 6 YEARS 3-4 ROTATIONS AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IRAN WHOS THE COWARD THE SOLIDER WHOS FIGHTING OR THE **** WITH THE COMMENTS .I SERVED MY NEPHEWS ARE THERE NOW SOME ARE NOT AS STRONG SOME ARE NOT AS BRAVE BUT LIKE ALL DUMBASS PEOPLE NO ONE ASK WHY.17 YEARS MEDICAL DISCHARGE I WOULD GO BACK BUT NOT WITH A FOOL

The punishment for these cowards should be worse than going to Iraq or Afghanistan. Otherwise, the bandwagon continues to grow. The problem is, the Army Leadership writes these wimps off, and puts more and more pressure on our recruiters. If we started hammering these idiots, then we would see less following. If I'm not mistaken, the maximum punishment for desertion during time of war is DEATH. Execute one, and watch how many follow him into Canada...

They want the prestige and honor of wearing the uniform, not to mention the pay and benefits, but only when it suits them. Why aren't these deserters being pursued more aggressively. Put a bounty on their asses and then we'll see them brought to justice.

quote:

Originally posted by TERRYPORTER903:
I'LL PUT THIS IN SIMPLE WORDS EVEN A REMF COULD UNDER STAND 6 YEARS 3-4 ROTATIONS AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IRAN WHOS THE COWARD THE SOLIDER WHOS FIGHTING OR THE **** WITH THE COMMENTS .I SERVED MY NEPHEWS ARE THERE NOW SOME ARE NOT AS STRONG SOME ARE NOT AS BRAVE BUT LIKE ALL DUMBASS PEOPLE NO ONE ASK WHY.17 YEARS MEDICAL DISCHARGE I WOULD GO BACK BUT NOT WITH A FOOL

uh? Are you refering to my comments? I'm a combat wounded active duty soldier..but could be veteran if I wanted to, but I continue to serve because I joined to fight and destroy the enemy in lands other than my own.Inshallah.
With a standard 4 year contract a soldier would do 2 tours. And get this..they offer 2 year enlistments now! Just enough time to go to iraq to get a CIB and some war stories to tell the girls before you turn 21!

Firing squad....No time for cowards, they knew what they were getting into when they joined...

" A rock and a hard place..." Over simplifying, I realize, but as the father of a Marine and son of a Soldier, I react with my mind, then feel with my heart. Those are tough "shoes" to wear and unless one has worn them (many here have and I respect all who have and do) serving one's country is a damn tough go , as should the consequences if one abandons their post. No easy answers here but my take is desertions harm our forces and our country, there must be swift, just consequences for that choice of action.

True sign of the deterioration of our Armed forces under the conditions imposed by CIC Bush.
Look at suicides and PTSD rates with correlate with this statistic.

IT IS PAST TIME TO GET OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN !

quote:

Originally posted by 101AASLT:
Firing squad....No time for cowards, they knew what they were getting into when they joined...

yup that is the way it use to be... now deserters get an honorable discharged with benefits....

quote:

Originally posted by jack_flats:
They want the prestige and honor of wearing the uniform, not to mention the pay and benefits, but only when it suits them. Why aren't these deserters being pursued more aggressively. Put a bounty on their asses and then we'll see them brought to justice.

you ROC!

quote:

Originally posted by 10143085:

quote:

Originally posted by jack_flats:
They want the prestige and honor of wearing the uniform, not to mention the pay and benefits, but only when it suits them. Why aren't these deserters being pursued more aggressively. Put a bounty on their asses and then we'll see them brought to justice.

you ROC!

Couldn't of said it any better. I was told that the Marines are basically pulling out and the Army is going to stay and continue to fight, how true is that?

If your gonna join you better be ready to fight, but I also think that the recruiters need to be a little more honest with the prospective recruits. When I saw the recruiter I asked him what where my chances of going to Iraq, and he told me depends on your MOS. He was vague about it, and I then told him that I have no problem fighting for my country and family so just be straight with me. He then smiled and said "pretty damn good chance". Funny thing is I would prefer to go to Darfur, or Afganistan, but doesn't matter that much. these kids need to put Sh** in perspective and realize that this isn't a game, and their only reason for going should be to protect us as well as the individuals over there.

quote:

Originally posted by helez:
True sign of the deterioration of our Armed forces under the conditions imposed by CIC Bush.
Look at suicides and PTSD rates with correlate with this statistic.

IT IS PAST TIME TO GET OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN !

Does this really have to do with Bush? Or is it the character of this young generation?

Look into the bigger picture. This has absolutely nothing to do with Bush

quote:

Originally posted by 10994035:
RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,156409,00.html

Lets stop making excuses for these cowards "strain of war" give me a F'ing break. Its too easy to get out other ways than deserting. We forget that in a time for heros, there will be cowards.
The other problem is these boys and girls join the army for reasons other than "fighting terror", which is what the Army is all about. Forget this college crap or 50,000 bonuses. Your *** is going to war, and all those incentives won't mean a damn if you are killed, so one better join eager and willing to fight terrorist. Now whether that be by supporting the fight or actively taking part in it, eventually a soldier will deploy to Iraq or afghan. People need to understand this when they make a committment to defend the constitution in 2007.
I say 10 years hard labor for deserters. This is no time for cowards. We must not show the enemy we support a cowards right to let his buddies down in the face of danger

hmmm profile not found?

Is the Army going to have sufficient troops when the preemptive invasion of Iran and possibly Syria begin? Can't depend entirely on air or sea power. All conflicts require boots on the ground.

The stop loss policy I can understand considering that the country is in a time of war and has been since 9/11. But I can contribute this sort of behavior to three examples off hand.

The Liberal media who goes out of their way to undermine the troops morale and sense of mission as well as Hollywood elitists who makes movies depicting soldiers as criminals and low lifes no better than the very terrorists they are fighting in the war on terror. Thats wrong and should be considered a crime.

1. Hollywood elists

2. Liberal Socialist Senators; Kerry, Reid,
Pelosi, Kennedy, Feinstein.

3. Liberal Media Outlets; News paper and cable TV networks.

These are just three examples of how people within the country are trying to work towards defeat of the very country they live in. Thats a disgrace and should be considered a crime since this is treason we are talking about here.

There should be a bill making it a Felony crime for anyone who tries to work against or tries to influence defeatism during a time of war. US Senators as well as other high profile individuals should be held to a strict code of enforcement to prevent such gross criminal acts from happening. Hollywood especially needs to heed this call.

Its time for the treasonous behavior to stop and for those guilty to be held accountable for their actions.

quote:

Originally posted by Vautaw:
The punishment for these cowards should be worse than going to Iraq or Afghanistan. Otherwise, the bandwagon continues to grow. The problem is, the Army Leadership writes these wimps off, and puts more and more pressure on our recruiters. If we started hammering these idiots, then we would see less following. If I'm not mistaken, the maximum punishment for desertion during time of war is DEATH. Execute one, and watch how many follow him into Canada...

That is true. We should try em' then tie em' to the bed (exocution chamber). That is what they deserve.

quote:

Originally posted by FortesFortunaJuvat:

quote:

Originally posted by helez:
True sign of the deterioration of our Armed forces under the conditions imposed by CIC Bush.
Look at suicides and PTSD rates with correlate with this statistic.

IT IS PAST TIME TO GET OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN !

Does this really have to do with Bush? Or is it the character of this young generation?

Look into the bigger picture. This has absolutely nothing to do with Bush

Ok, I am 17 just joined up. I am ready to go over this summer. I have 4 High School friends in the Military. 2 in Afgan. 1 in Iraq and another in BCT. Its not the youth, it just that the media degrades all aspects of the Armed Forces!

quote:

Originally posted by DougLyvere:
The last paragraph of the story explains partially why there is a problem. Find the deserters and prosecute - there has to be a penalty for committing a crime. At the very least, when caught, they must reimburse the government for all costs related to their training and all expenses incurred in capturing them.

The report is not complete. I read the same item earlier today from a different news source and the Army accepts the figures to be somewhat accurate. The higher figure is yet to be achieved and is only a guess if current circumstances prevail. ( which is baffling to me since fiscal year 2007 is over) The higher figure is due to war time and secondly what this thread is steamed about, not getting after deserters. They are. Yhat's why the figure has jumped 8% over last year. They've started procecuting and going after them. It would be interesting to see the MOS of those heading north. I'm not completely sold on the idea that it's the front line guys that are bailing. I don't know the figure today but it once was one of ten getting into the battle, with nine in support. If in fact the stats are true, in the four years of war we seen approximately 12 thousand desertions, 4 thousand KIA, and 15 thousand wounded and we're still fielding men and women to fight. God bless them. That's way above the number 23,000 that came ashore at Utah beach in France or the 23,000 that fought with Meade at Gettysberg in Pennsylvania. Don't worry about the guy that made a wrong turn, forget that guy, give the hero's that much more credit.