[coylh]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/US/D8BBRC6G2.html

A young Marine who feared returning to Iraq persuaded his cousin to shoot him in the leg, then told police he was hit by random gang gunfire, authorities said.

The shooting early Saturday was meant to keep 19-year-old Moises Hernandez from going back to Iraq, prosecutors said.

[WT]

Destruction of government property ....... tsk, tsk!

[KriegHund]

*sigh*

[jefnvk]

Wait. He traided potentially getting shot, for definitely getting shot?

[griz]

Sometime last year a young man was shot and was giving some story about a drive by or something. But the police didn't believe his story. Eventually he confessed that he did it because he wanted to avoid being drafted. :what: Is alcohol stronger than it used to be?

[Rich K]

Chickens**t little coward.What a moron.

[MikeIsaj]

It absolutly boggles my mind how these cowards even sign up, let alone make it through bootcamp without realizing they may be sent off to war. How can you be so stupid and not forget to breathe in your sleep?

Anyone have a copy of the UCMJ? I believe this is covered, slightly below desertion maybe? It's been awhile, but I remember before final liberty call before deployment we would warn the troops about having any "accidents" or being arrested in order to miss a movement.

[Ian]

Wait. He traided potentially getting shot, for definitely getting shot?

He traded potentially being cripped or killed for being shot in the leg (presumably not in the knee or femoral artery...).

The article says he spent six months in Iraq already. I would be interested to know the circumstances of his intended return. Was his term of service over but unilaterally extended by the military, or was he only in the States on leave or some such?

[rock jock]

Was his term of service over but unilaterally extended by the military Terms of recruitment are pretty clear - even inactive reserve forces can be reactivated - its in the fine print.

[jefnvk]

It absolutly boggles my mind how these cowards even sign up, let alone make it through bootcamp without realizing they may be sent off to war.

They realize it. They get free money now, though, without thinking about might happen later. Kinda like the stories that were run a while back about the reservists that joined to get college payed for, without ever intending to go fighting. Wern't too happy when they were told to pack their bags.

He traded potentially being cripped or killed for being shot in the leg (presumably not in the knee or femoral artery...).

That is a big presumably. Lets just say one that I sure the heck wouldn't take.

[joab]

I won't judge him for not wanting to go back, I've never been in that position.
But self inflicted injuries GSWs are nothing new.
At least he got more creative than trpping on the way to the latrine and shooting himself in the foot
(Anybody Know what movie that is from?)

[jdl357]

Read the last line of the story in the Suntimes.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-marine15.html

[Moondoggie]

My Dad came home on convalescent leave along with one of his "homies" (SW Iowa farmboys) after both were wounded on Iwo Jima. Dad's friend went out behind the barn and blew his foot off with a shotgun the day they were supposed to leave to go back to the Pacific.

If the guy we're talking about here was "only" worried about going back to Iraq...by that I mean not in receipt of orders he'll probably be charged with Art 134; Conduct Unbecoming. Article 134 covers a lot of territory. He'll probably be awarded an Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge and possibly lose all benefits. Also probably get psyche eval'd up the wazoo to determine if he had PTSD, or whatever his problem is.

Lots of variables for the powers that be and the atty's to ponder. We'll know more when the details are reported.

[Old Dog]

ART 115. MALINGERING

Any person subject to this chapter who for the purpose of avoiding work, duty, or service--

(1) feigns illness, physical disablement, mental lapse or derangement; or (2) intentionally inflects self-injury; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

So the father of a U.S. Marine says his son had "too easy access" to a gun ...

[Ian]

Lets just say one that I sure the heck wouldn't take.

Hey, I wouldn't either. There are safer ways to evade military service.

[jefnvk]

Read the last line of the story in the Suntimes.

So now they are worried about members of the military having access to guns too?

[Pilgrim]

Read the last line of the story in the Suntimes.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news...s-marine15.html

It sounds like the lad's father is a well trained Cook County democrat.

Pilgrim

[Nick_90]

It is a terrible thing but such auto mutilation was very common during the First World War. My English granddad (a WWI veteran) told my mum about one of his friends shooting himself in the foot to avoid going "over the top" again. Finally it was a mistake: he ended up in front of a firing squad...

[logical]

Maybe he should have "entertained the idea of moving to Canada" instead

[Ian]

According to one of my history professors, it wasn't uncommon for troops in the trenches (WWI) to hold fingers or hands up above the rim of the trench, hoping an enemy sniper would shoot it, and get them off the line.

[MikeIsaj]

I won't judge him for not wanting to go back,I am a combat veteran. I never wanted to go, no sane person does. I went because I understood it was my duty. I accepted that duty freely when I enlisted and agreed to take the taxpayers money.

I will judge him, he is a coward, he has no honor. No excuse for cowards!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother. Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed, they were not here.
(Shakespeare, Henry V)

[joab]

I will judge him, he is a coward, he has no honor. No excuse for cowards You have earned that right, I have not.

I was on orders for Nicaraugra in '83(?), I was scared but I was going.
I do not know if I would have been willing to go back, cause I never had that problem presented to me

[Biker]

It is likely true that the man is a coward. *Likely. Fact is, unless you've experienced combat, it is not possible to know the fear that accompanies it. Could be the man knew that he would get his Bros killed if he went back. Could be he just didn't have it in him. He did 6 months, that's 6 months more time in combat than most do. I'm not defending him, just trying to get folks to think before they get all Rambo without having earned the right to so first.
Biker

[Tierhog]

I'll judge him as well. Coward. Mikelsaj said it right, no excuse.

Other than that its good that he chickened out back home, rather than where he may have had someones back.