2 Miss. soldiers among 5 reassigned (Platoon that refused orders)

[Maddy McCall]

Their concerns may be 'valid,' Army spokesman says

By Jeremy Hudson
[email protected]

Army commanders reassigned five members of an Army platoon, including two Mississippians, who refused a mission in Iraq earlier this week because of faulty equipment, a military spokesman said Friday.

Dov Schwartz, Army spokesman, said the commanding general of the 13th Corps Support Command has initiated an investigation into actions by 17 members of the 343rd Army Reserve Quartermaster Company. It was an "isolated incident confined to a small group," Schwartz said, but preliminary findings show the soldiers raised "valid concerns."

Refusal of orders during wartime, which by law can be punishable by death, would most likely be punished by dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and up to five years confinement, said military law expert Mark Stevens of Rocky Mount, N.C.
Soldiers called home to report their fuel-supply platoon, including two Jackson residents and one Vicksburg resident, had been arrested and read their rights Wednesday after refusing orders because their vehicles were not safe for travel, relatives said. The reservists were held until they were released Friday afternoon, relatives said.

Schwartz denied the soldiers were arrested.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Bolton Democrat who represents Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District, said he filed a congressional inquiry on Friday and was told by a military liaison that the 17 soldiers were not arrested but were detained.

More here: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041016/NEWS01/410160365/1002

[fishnfla]

1. I knew it, they are gonna scrub this thing squeaky clean

White-fucking-wash

[Florida_Geek]

2. WTF is

the difference in a Combat Zone

"17 soldiers were not arrested but were detained."

[Media_Lies_Daily]

3. So, can anyone tell me when war was declared?

[Sabriel]

4. You beat me to it. Is this a "war" or isn't it? n/t

[halley]

5. Try Police Action

That's what Vietnam was called. It wasn't a declared war either.

[Maddy McCall]

6. Yep. America's second Vietnam.

[ezekiel333]

7. Kick