U.S. Army Desertion Rate Soaring

[frogcycle]

http://cbs2chicago.com/national/army.desertion.increase.2.569789.html

Number Of U.S. Army Deserters Up 80% Since Iraq War Started; Highest Rate Since 1980
WASHINGTON (CBS News) ― Soldiers strained by six years at war are deserting their posts at the highest rate since 1980, with the number of Army deserters this year showing an 80 percent increase since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003.

While the totals are still far lower than they were during the Vietnam War, when the draft was in effect, they show a steady increase over the past four years - and a 42 percent jump since last year.

[napi21]

1. And this suprises someone? The part that suprised me is that the

Army isn't going after them. Apparently they are just given a less than honorable discharge unless they turn themselves in.

All the dazell that the recruiters spin to these young kids wears off real soon and reality sets in. They realize they've been had, and they see likely death staring them in the face!

[frogcycle]

2. but the recruiter makes his number

Glengarry Glen Ross

sell that swampland and win a car; recruit that kid and get a promotion

[santamargarita]

3. AWOL Soldier: Army failed to provide effective PTSD treatment

By WILLIAM KATES, Associated Press

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A soldier who served two combat tours in Iraq was arrested Wednesday as he was preparing to surrender to Fort Drum officials after spending more than a year AWOL seeking treatment for his post traumatic stress disorder.

http://www.ivaw.org/

[silverweb]

4. Good.

The more the better. Better yet, do it en masse.

Illegal war = illegal orders. They have a right to refuse.

[razors edge]

5. Thats an over simplification

of the enlisted mans lot in life. As a former enlisted Marine I can tell you that questioning orders is not looked upon lightly.

The men in Canada found out that hard fact of life, they signed up for this service and the service of an enlisted man does not include the right to question a lawful order. The rules are very simple for an enlisted man, carry out the order and protest later. This also allows the enlisted man to be protected from war crimes charges in most cases.

The rules for a officer are different, as Lt Watada's case has shown. He did not have to flee the United States jurisdiction to make his case and has so far been successful in his case.

It is very easy for someone who has never been in that situation to hope the men would refuse a lawful order "en masse." without any further consideration as to the fate of the men who may do such. If Marine Corps boot camp is hell, imagine what the brig conditions must be in order to be considered a deterrent to bad conduct.

[silverweb]

6. I know.

That was wishful thinking, cynicism, and a truckload of bitterness against BushCorp and this fucking war talking.

There's a term for the kind of comment I made, but I can't think of it right now. Someone here will know it.

My son was in the Army, so I have a clue... and I thank you for your service.

[razors edge]

7. I too wish they could.

It would be something to wake the brain dead of our nation.

It may happen, but it will be in isolated events and never talked about, it may already be happening.

Peace to all mankind.:pals:

[silverweb]

8. Amen, my friend.

Peace to all mankind. :pals: