Re: The witch-hunters : Fri May 09, 2014 8:28 pm  

Another witch hunt in full flight... An investigation is underway after a couple of lads in the RAF regiment dared to take a picture of themselves with a dead Taliban after that big attack on Camp Bastion in 2012. So, should they: A- apologise, B- be sacked, C- resign, D- face jail, or E- get a bit of a bollocking and everyone man up and get on with their lives. I vote E. I despair. We train these lads to kill and get all worked up over 2 pictures when they've done their job. A picture isn't mistreatment, it's a picture. It may not be particularly dignified but these boys are in the killing game, a picture is probably the least of that dead chap's worries. Link to original pictures, some NSFW but not particularly graphic. Pathetic.

Another witch hunt in full flight... An investigation is underway after a couple of lads in the RAF regiment dared to take a picture of themselves with a dead Taliban after that big attack on Camp Bastion in 2012. So, should they: A- apologise, B- be sacked, C- resign, D- face jail, or E- get a bit of a bollocking and everyone man up and get on with their lives. I vote E. I despair. We train these lads to kill and get all worked up over 2 pictures when they've done their job. A picture isn't mistreatment, it's a picture. It may not be particularly dignified but these boys are in the killing game, a picture is probably the least of that dead chap's worries. Link to original pictures, some NSFW but not particularly graphic. Pathetic.

Re: The witch-hunters : Fri May 09, 2014 8:46 pm  

I suspect they will get major administrative action, or pinged with Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline, which is a catch-all offence to deal with things the military don't like.

I also think there is something in the Geneva Convention about posing with dead bodies.

Re: The witch-hunters : Fri May 09, 2014 11:03 pm  

Stupid thing to do, should be disciplined harshly enough so that it's a deterrent to others but not a sacking or anything like that.

It seems to me that the BDLT (Big Daft Lad Theory © Jerry Chicken) applies here.

Re: The witch-hunters : Sat May 10, 2014 12:03 am  

Him wrote:

Stupid thing to do, should be disciplined harshly enough so that it's a deterrent to others but not a sacking or anything like that.

It seems to me that the BDLT (Big Daft Lad Theory © Jerry Chicken) applies here.

Absolutely. Stupid and deserves a slapped wrist, but it's a million miles from something like Abu Graib. It's a couple of lads, probably just been through that fierce firefight, taking a picture of the moment.

Jerry might be surprised to know I've quoted his theory many times, and I bet I'm not the only one.

Re: The witch-hunters : Sat May 10, 2014 7:31 am  

The Big Daft Lad theory is a broad church and welcomes all applicants.

Re: The witch-hunters : Sat May 10, 2014 7:34 am  

Yep, it needs to be made clear it's not acceptable, because could you imagine the outrage in this country if pictures of Taliban fighters/Iraqi soldiers etc posing with dead British soldiers had been released.
It's wrong, but not the crime of the century and seems to me to be a silly/stupid thing that happened rather than a deliberate attempt at abuse.
I'm also surprised this hasn't happened before to be honest.

Re: The witch-hunters : Sun May 11, 2014 3:28 pm  

sorry, they should be sacked and shamed, worthless animals that they are. To kill in the course of duty is one thing, to brag about it is what makes squaddies morons.

Re: The witch-hunters : Sun May 11, 2014 3:42 pm  

Standee wrote:

sorry, they should be sacked and shamed, worthless animals that they are. To kill in the course of duty is one thing, to brag about it is what makes squaddies morons.

Suppose it had to happen one day, i agree with that.

Re: The witch-hunters : Sun May 11, 2014 5:38 pm  

Standee wrote:

sorry, they should be sacked and shamed, worthless animals that they are. To kill in the course of duty is one thing, to brag about it is what makes squaddies morons.

I remember a droll commentary during the Iraq war to a video of a Cruise missile going down a shaft and expertly blowing up a building; the punch line, a second or so before it hit, was something like "And this is my counterpart's headquarters in Baghdad" or something like, which raised a few chuckles as no doubt dozens of Iraqis in the building met gruesome death.

What, in essence, is the difference between the soldier posing for the picture, and the commander gloating over a good kill on worldwide TV?

Re: The witch-hunters : Sun May 11, 2014 6:13 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

I remember a droll commentary during the Iraq war to a video of a Cruise missile going down a shaft and expertly blowing up a building; the punch line, a second or so before it hit, was something like "And this is my counterpart's headquarters in Baghdad" or something like, which raised a few chuckles as no doubt dozens of Iraqis in the building met gruesome death.

What, in essence, is the difference between the soldier posing for the picture, and the commander gloating over a good kill on worldwide TV?

Exactly right FA. Although I suppose it would depend on what level of hypocrisy you are comfortable with.

And I hate to be the bearer of bad news to our over excitable contributors, but there are literally thousands of photos and videos of these sort of acts on line.

A none event for me, and simply yet another exhibition of the Service's gallows humour. Which unless you have lived it, will not be understood by outsiders.