Backtalk: A sacred trust

[unhappycamper]

A sacred trust
By Pete Geren and Gen. George Casey

American soldiers are members of a band of brothers and sisters, bound by common values, and duty and loyalty to each other that sets them apart from society.

They are bound by a commitment to their comrades that outsiders find incomprehensible, and a willingness to sacrifice for each other.

In Iraq, that bond led 19-year-old Pfc. Ross McGinnis to cover a grenade with his body to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. In Afghanistan, 19-year-old medic Pfc. Monica Brown threw her body on top of wounded soldiers to protect them from mortar and small-arms fire — and provided them medical care as bullets rained down around them.

Pfc. McGinnis gave his life, and Pfc. Brown offered hers for our band of brothers and sisters.

It is in this context that we must consider the crime of sexual assault and the enabling offense of sexual harassment — and the duty of bystanders to intervene and protect their comrades from harassment and the risk of assault.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_backtalk_assault_092208/%2e



uhc comment: They sure talk a good game - too bad they don't play a good game.