Army Changing Chopper Corps After Setbacks

John J. Lumpkin
The Associated Press | My Way News

...the chief threat to helicopters in Iraq and other recent conflicts has been portable heat-seeking missiles, something the Comanche was not well-protected against.

Alleged deserter ~ Sgt. Charles Robert Jenkins

As alleged deserter rests in Japanese hospital, U.S. military prepares its case

Eric Talmadge - AP Writer
The Associated Press | San Francisco Chronicle - CA

...Japanese media reports say Jenkins' day of reckoning may come as soon as next week.

Another court-martial that doesn't pass muster!

Many at Ft. Campbell decry court-martial sentence

WKRN - Nashville, TN

"Every time he applies for a new job, he's going to be branded as a bad person. And I don't think he did anything wrong..."

GITMO hearings underway late today

First Review of Guantanamo Prisoner Set

The Associated Press | ABC NEWS

For the first time in the nearly three years since the Sept. 11 attacks, a prisoner picked up as a potential terrorist and held nearly incommunicado at a Cuban prison got a chance Friday to persuade his jailers that he should go free.

Commanders Get Immunity in Iraq Case

Robert Weller - AP Writer
The Associated Press | Guardian Unlimited, UK

The three commanders, Lt. Col. Nathan Sassaman, Maj. Robert Gwinner and Capt. Matthew Cunningham, who have already received reprimands for interfering with the investigation of the case, had said they wanted to testify if granted immunity...

Absentee ballots can make difference in election results

Capt. Kimberly Layne, U.S. Air Force in Europe Public Affairs
Air Force Print News | Black Hills Bandit

The Military Postal Service Agency is also taking precautions to uphold the integrity of the voting system. Each absentee envelope will be inspected by post office workers for proper date stamping.

Isle soldier's murder trial starts in Iraq on Tuesday

Gregg Kakesako
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Honolulu, HI

Pfc. Edward Richmond, 20, is charged with unpremeditated murder for allegedly shooting Muhamad Husain Kadir in the head on Feb. 28 near Taal Al Jai. The Army says Kadir was handcuffed and unarmed. Richmond faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

HILL AFB, UT

Non-judicial punishment, NJP, Article 15 UCMJ, Admiral's Mast, Captain's Mast, Office Hours..., all the same thing

Nonjudical Punishment

Capt. Griffin S. Dunham - Chief, Military Justice
Hilltop Times

All administrative action decisions and resulting punishments are determined on a case-by-case basis taking several factors into consideration to include the facts and circumstances of a particular case, the accused's duty history, culpability, rank and age, and potential for rehabilitation.

"Tossing Iraqis from Bridges"

Murder Not So Foul?

Dave Lindorff
CounterPunch - Petrolia, CA

Last January, a group of four U.S. soldiers deliberately pushed two Iraqi civilians who were completely under their control into the river and then allegedly watched as one of them, 19-year-old Fadel Hassoun, drowned. The men lied about what they had done, and subsequently, when that didn't work, claimed that they'd acted under orders from unspecified higher-ups.

Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD

Airmen receive punishment

Black Hills Bandit - Rapid City, SD

In a special court-martial July 22, Airman 1st Class Antonio Coyl, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was found guilty of a charge and specification of sodomy with a child under the age of 16, a charge and specification of indecent acts or liberties with a child under the age of 16, in violation of Uniform Code of Military Justice Articles 125 and 134, respectively.

Hicks' lawyer predicts problems for trial

Louise Yaxley
ABC Online - Australia

NICOLA ROXON: Well it’s hard to see how the Prime Minister can have the view that this process respects the normal standards of criminal justice when the normal rules of evidence don’t apply, when there’s no appeal rights, where there isn’t an independent judiciary that is actually hearing the claims.

4 Guantanamo detainees to face hearing

Rod McGuirk
The Associated Press | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Americans have promised that the military tribunal system will respect the basic principles of Australia's criminal justice system, [Prime Minister] Howard said.

JAG Hunter here: I guess this explains why Prime Minister Howard is okay with the Gitmo military commissions...

Military spying on soldiers

NEWS.com.au - Australia

The Senate inquiry into the military justice system, which is expected to make its interim report in September, was set up in October last year amid concerns about a spate of suicides of young people in the ADF.

JAG Hunter postscript: Pay attention to the increased rate of suicides in America's ranks.

"[T]he Pentagon has pledged "full and fair" trials..."

U.S. to Begin Pretrial Hearings at Guantanamo

Charles Aldinger
Reuters

Australian inmate David Hicks and three al Qaeda suspects from Yemen and Sudan are scheduled for separate hearings during the week of Aug. 23 in a new courtroom in a prison at the U.S. Navy Base in Guantanamo Bay...

Sailor charged in youth's shooting

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer - GA

A 28-year-old sailor who was absent without leave from the U.S. Navy has been charged with reckless conduct in the Wednesday morning shooting of a 12-year-old.

JAG Hunter bullet: Memo to Australia's Prime Minister Howard ~ U.S. military government does not respect the basic principles of America's criminal justice system, never mind yours.

Howard Govt under fire for handling of Guantanamo issue

Catherine McGrath
ABC Online - Australia

The Prime Minister says he believes the military commission will respect the basic principles of our criminal justice system and that Australia has sought and gained a number of concessions from the Americans.

Fort Campbell, KY

GI Convicted of Carjacking Sheik in Iraq

Kimberly Hefling - Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press | The Ledger - Lakeland, FL

"Where was the evidence this constituted a crime?"

Defense in Iraqi death gets more prep time

Alex Roth - Staff Writer
San Diego Union Tribune - San Diego, CA

Maj. Clarke Paulus, 35, an active-duty Marine who oversaw the Whitehorse jail, will be court-martialed in September on dereliction of duty and other charges in connection with Hatab's death.

Military judge delays reservist's court-martial

Scott Marshall - Staff Writer
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - CA

Some of the documents defense attorneys have been seeking, including a file on the prisoner who died, appear to have disappeared...

JAG Hunter bullet: If this cover-up business keeps up DoD's gonna have to assign an MOS code to categorize the requisite skill set.

Soldier accused in Iraqi drowning points finger at commanders

The Associated Press | KGBT 4 - TV Harlingen, TX

Yesterday, an Army investigator said one of the four soldiers indicated his superiors ordered them to do it -- then lie to cover it up.

Nobody's talkin'...

Five Naples sailors investigated on suspicion of drug-related offenses

Kendra Helmer
Stars and Stripes - European edition

JAG Hunter bullet: Cover-ups are military crimes for junior officers and enlisteds only. Generals and admirals are immune from prosecution.

Soldier: Tantrum led to SUV scramble

Leon Alligood
The Tennessean - Nashville, TN

They also took him to task for participating in a cover-up scheme allegedly planned by the lieutenant. Williams acknowledged that the cover-up was ''not the smartest thing,'' but said that he did not believe he had violated any military law by taking the SUV.

Dem lawmakers split on military draft

Mary Lynn F. Jones
The Hill - Washington, DC

“We better be thinking about the draft or have it as a fallback..."

Sergeant Says He Seized Vehicle for His Platoon

James Dao
The New York Times

Another staff sergeant in the incident, Alberto Lozano, pleaded guilty to charges of helping to steal the vehicle and recently completed a one-year prison term.

Fort Carson Hearing

KKTV 11 News - Colorado Springs, CO

The officer presiding over today's hearing ordered prosecutors to explain whether they offered immunity to defense witnesses and why.

Accused soldier 'followed order'

From correspondents in Fort Carson, CO
The Australian

Spc. Terry Bowman said he "was told by his chain of command what version to give" investigators, Sergeant Irene Cintron of the Army's Criminal Investigation Command said during a teleconference from Iraq as the military convened a hearing to determine whether the soldiers will be court-martialed.

Prosecutors Rest Case In Carjacking Court Martial

NewsChannel5.com - Nashville,TN

Sgt. James Williams was accused of taking a SUV at gunpoint in Iraq last year. The vehicle belonged to a prominent Iraqi sheik.

Military to hear soldier’s assault case

Hattiesburg American - Hattiesburg, MS

“My position is if a felony crime is committed anywhere in those counties, and that includes Camp Shelby, then the district attorney can consider and undertake prosecution...”

U.S. military prepares to convene review panels offering Guantanamo detainees

The Associated Press | Lex 18 - Lexington, KY

The Pentagon says review tribunals for Guantanamo detainees may begin this week.

JAG Hunter here: One wonders how and why a federal law enforcement agency, exercising jurisdiction only within the lifelines of the U.S. Navy, is so deeply connected and involved with local, community police work.

Investigation reaps rich rewards for NCIS

JO2(SW) Michael Wiss
Kings Bay Periscope - Kings Bay, GA

"The desired results of this whole process was to get rid of prostitution in our community,'' said [former head of NCIS Kings Bay Rich] Gamble. "We sent a message - don't bring it here or we will shut you down."

U.S. Soldier Faces Iraq Murder Charge

John O'Donnell
Reuters | My Way News

A U.S. army captain charged with murdering an Iraqi appeared before a military hearing in Germany on Wednesday in the first murder investigation of an American soldier since the Iraq invasion.

Late entry

Ft. Eustis, VA

Soldier indicted on sex offense charges

Hampton Roads Daily Press - Newport, VA

Matthew Goldsberry was charged with engaging in a sexual act with a person who was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and physically incapable of declining that sexual act while aboard an aircraft in flight, according to the FBI's Norfolk office.

Hill AFB, UT

Nonjudical Punishment

Hilltop Times

An Airman First Class from the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron violated Article 112a of the UCMJ by wrongfully using another airman's prescription medication...

Expectations of Perfection

Master GySgt. Billy Stewart
Special to the Henderson Hall News - Arlington Station, VA

Before writing that charge sheet or sending something up line, leaders should ensure that all means available have been exhausted to correct wayward behavior.

Military Justice 101 - Part 4 ~ Nonjudicial Punishment (Article 15)

Rod Powers
usmilitary.about.com

IG: Individual discipline failures led to detainee abuse

Joe Burlas
Army News Service

For the purposes of the inspection, detainee abuse was defined as any type of theft, physical assault, sexual assault or death of a detainee.

Loyalty To What?

They Have Changed Everything But The Name

Fred Reed
Fred On Everything

The government tells us who to hire, who to sell our houses to, whether we can have the Ten Commandments on a courthouse wall or a Christmas display on the town square, what names we can call each other without going to jail, whether our daughters have to tell us before having an abortion, how far off the floor toilet seats have to be in factories.

JAG Hunter bullet: An oath already forgotten by senior military governors...

Lest we forget the oath

Linda Card - 11th Wing Public Affairs
The Beam - Washington, DC

As a former Air Force recruiter, nothing brings this more to light than a review of the Oath of Enlistment: "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic; That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; And that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God."

U.S. Senate transcript

Sydney Indymedia - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Senate Armed Services Committee holds hearing on the Army's Official Report on Abu Ghraib Prison Torture

During the course of his inspection, General Mikolashek's team noted that since October 2001, U.S. forces have detained some 50,000 individuals in Afghanistan and Iraq. As of 9 June 2004, which was the cut-off date for General Mikolashek's report, there were 94 cases of confirmed or possible abuse of any type, which include theft, physical assault, sexual assault, and death. The Army has initiated criminal investigations into these allegations, and where appropriate, legal action has been and will be taken.

JAG Hunter down here ~ ... where appropriate, legal action has been and will be taken, that is, except in the case of senior commanders...

JAG Hunter bullet: Commanders leaving subordinates hangin' out to dry!

Defense in Iraqi drowning case says prosecutors are hurting case

KGBT 4 - TV Harlingen, TX

Defense attorneys say the soldiers' commanders are demanding immunity before they'll testify at a hearing to determine whether the soldiers are court-martialed.

JAG Hunter here:

Pentagon cave-dwellers immediately labeled junior enlisted personnel photographed abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib as the "six morons," this according to a recent Army Times editorial (and the reference Mr. Lileks makes in the article linked below). I knew then, as I know now, senior commanders tacitly ordered and were fully complicit in attempts to extract whatever information perceived available leading to the capture of OBL, Saddam, or the unearthing of WMDs. James Lileks is joined by the esteemed editors at the Wall Street Journal by advancing a misplaced trust in military governors that, harassment, torture-light, or worse, was the handiwork of a few junior soldiers at a single venue. Today 94-cases of prisoner abuse are in public view. I'm certain that number low. Charges of mistreatment run from outright murder to accessorizing prison garb with women's lingerie. Reported misconduct occurred at Marine Corps and Army detention centers in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Gitmo. One investigation, being swept under the carpet, is advertised as looking into a brutal beating one of our own soldiers received, delivered by U.S. prison guards who mistook the unfortunate soul as a real prisoner ~ this during a training exercise. Perpetuating the durable myth that only junior enlisteds are responsible for these outrages (and more) does a disservice to us all. The way to the truth is to court-martial the generals and "humble" civilian counterparts in federal court who are more responsible than their subordinates.

For a Departure From the Scripted Event, Count on Teresa Heinz Kerry

James Lileks
Newhouse News Service

...courts-martial for the Abu Ghraib morons...

Court Martial Continues In Alleged Carjacking

WAVE - Louisville, KY

An Army prosecutor says after he carjacked a sheik's sports utility vehicle in Iraq, Sergeant First Class James Williams orchestrated a cover-up story with other platoon soldiers.

Late entry

"645 warrants for desertion issued since Sept. 11, 2001..."

N.Y. soldier faces desertion charge

Jessica York
Bennington Banner - Bennington,VT

"Soldiers are held accountable every day, in every situation, to the values and loyalty of duty," said Claxton in an e-mail. "The act of desertion defies basic Army values and undermines morale."

Combatant Status Review Tribunals..."a complete scam"

Guantanamo review offers hope to British prisoners

Andrew Buncombe in Washington and Anne Penketh
Independent - London, England, UK

That process, due to begin next Monday or Tuesday, involves the interviewing by US military officers of more than 600 prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay to determine the legality of their detention.

Drug Web site tied to sales in Norfolk, among sailors

Tim McGlone
Virginian Pilot - Norfolk, VA

Part of the dragnet was the result of an investigation launched more than two years ago by Navy investigators in Norfolk into the sale of so-called designer drugs. Three men, including two sailors, were convicted and are in prison as a result of the investigation.

Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act

Mistrial called in fatal stabbing by service wife

Matt Krasnowski
San Diego Union Tribune - CA

Latasha Arnt, who is free on bond, is the first person tried under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which was intended to close a loophole in cases involving U.S. civilians who commit felonies on foreign soil while accompanying military personnel or employed by the Pentagon.

Fort Carson soldiers may use drug defense in courts-martial

Dick Foster
Rocky Mountain News - Denver, CO

"Mefloquine may cause psychiatric symptoms in a number of patients, ranging from anxiety, paranoia and depression to hallucinations and psychotic behavior. . . . Mefloquine should not be taken for prophylaxis in patients with active depression or with a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia or other major psychiatric disorders."

Senior Airman Ahmad al-Halabi

Another Charge Against U.S.-Syrian Airman Dropped

Adam Tanner
Reuters

He still faces 16 of 30 charges originally filed against him including carrying jail maps, letters and other documents from U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay where terrorism suspects are held. Halabi is expected to go to trial in mid-September.

"The Changing Battlefield"

When Grace Flees Under Fire

Mark Glassman
The New York Times

In this case, the prescription was two sleeping pills and a court-martial: medicate the behavior and deter others from repeating it.

Inside the Ring

Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough
The Washington Times

FORT CAMPBELL, KY

Court martial starts in carjacking case

WKRN - Nashville,TN

Prosecutors said Sergeant First Class James Williams sat fireside with fellow platoon soldiers to plot the cover-up.

Late entry: Desertion...

U.S. deserter seeks refuge in Canada

The Globe and Mail - UK

Believing that the war in Iraq is a “criminal enterprise,” 25-year-old Jeremy Hinzman fled to Toronto from his North Carolina base in January, just before his unit was sent to Iraq.

Camp Lejeune, NC

Utah Marine in N.C.: Shhhh

Derek Jensen
Salt Lake Tribune - UT

These days, between debriefings and quiet visits with a Muslim chaplain, Hassoun spends most of his time with his eldest brother Mohamad of West Jordan, watching TV and relaxing.

Fort Jackson, SC

HIV-positive sergeant charged

Fort Jackson MP is accused of having unprotected sex with female soldiers

Chuck Crumbo
The State - Columbia, SC

Sgt. Justin K. Kinlock, 26, of Columbia has been charged with five counts of aggravated assault and five counts of disobeying an officer under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Army said Friday.

Air Force Academy enlisted...another waived Art. 32 hearing

Airman pleads guilty to rape charge

United States Air Force (press release)

Airman Paredesillescas faced a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a dishonorable discharge from the Air Force.

MILITARY VOTE 2004 - Guam

GEC to launch Web site to enhance voting

Agana Pacific Daily News - Agana, Guam

Within the next couple of months, a link to the main voter listing at the University of Guam will allow voters to review the voter registry and determine who is registered.

64-year-old former army sergeant faces court-martial charges for alleged 1965 desertion

Jenkins OKs meeting with U.S. military defense counsel

Japan Today - Tokyo, Japan

Accused U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins met with Japanese government officials Tuesday morning and expressed his intentions to meet with a U.S. military defense lawyer to seek ways to settle U.S. charges against him, including desertion...

Soldiers charged in Iraqi drowning case may blame anti-malaria drug

KLTV 7 Tyler-Longview-Jacksonville, TX

A veterans advocate said today that defense lawyers may blame an anti-malarial drug for triggering a rage in U-S soldiers charged with shoving two Iraqi civilians into the Tigris River. One of the Iraqis drowned.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Florida...Maj. (O-4) charged.

Airman charged after contraband investigation

United States Air Force (press release)

Officials have preferred charges against Maj. Gregory McMillion after an investigation found evidence he allegedly shipped contraband items here from an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment.

Jenkins ready for court-martial

Daily Yomiuri - Tokyo, Japan

Jenkins, who is accused of deserting the U.S. Army while stationed in South Korea in 1965, made the comment in a handwritten note delivered to James Hyman before he returned to his North Carolina home last Sunday.

MILITARY VOTE 2004 ~ Helping Virginian service members

BOARD OF ELECTIONS REACHING MILITARY FAMILIES THROUGH MILITARY FAMILY NETWORK

Staff Report
The Military Family Network at eMilitary.org

"The Virginia State Board of Elections has partnered with the Military Family Network as we are cognizant of their unique ability to disseminate information worldwide to our military members and their families, therefore equipping them with the means to vote absentee from anywhere in the world"...

Draft bills likely to stall in Congress

Jamie Clark
The Western Front Online - Bellingham, WA

Rangel, McDermott and others sponsored the bill to ensure that Congress would debate who was going out to war, DeCesare said.

A "person of interest" plans to retire from the crime scene!

U.S. Southern Command head to retire later this year

The Associated Press | Heraldtribune.com - Southwest Florida

During his tenure, [Gen. Hill] has overseen the lengthy, contested detentions of suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, as well as several security breaches at the detention camp.

Area GIs' cases to be heard

Soldiers with local roots confront military justice system this week

The Associated Press | Staff and Wire reports
The Free Lance-Star - Fredericksburg,VA

Today at Fort Campbell, Ky., Sgt. 1st Class James Williams' court martial gets under way. The Army sergeant from Westmoreland County will face trial on charges that he took a vehicle at gunpoint during the Iraq war and was derelict in his duty.

Five British Gitmo prisoners also released after UK AG declares military trials unfair...

US Releases French Guantanamo Prisoners

AFP | Deutsche Welle - Germany

"Following discussions between France and the United States concerning the French prisoners at Guantanamo, the American authorities have decided to hand over to France, at the Guantanamo military base, four of the prisoners who are being repatriatated to France today..."

Labels to aid military absentee ballots

Aaron Keith Harris
The Sun Herald - Biloxi, MS

In the 2000 presidential election, hundreds of military absentee ballots in Florida weren't counted because they were late or had technical problems.

Ft. Drum, New York

Fort Drum soldier arrested for deserting his post

News 10 Now - Syracuse, NY

[Private] Wirmusky faces disciplinary charges including dishonorable discharge, three years in prison, and total forfeiture of all his pay.

Jenkins, lawyer may meet by week's end

The Japan Times Online

Jenkins, who is married to repatriated Pyongyang abductee Hitomi Soga, is accused of deserting and defecting to North Korea in 1965.

Destroying the military vote again?

Coming this fall to Florida:

It's 'Attack of the Trial Lawyers'!

Rod Thomson
Heraldtribune.com - Southwest Florida

This can't help but bring to mind the "monitoring" of Democrat lawyers in the 2000 election, in which they intimidated local elections officials into dumping hundreds of overseas ballots, mostly military votes.

Air Force Academy enlisted...haven't read of any officers waiving their Art. 32 hearings!

Court Martial Hearing

The Associated Press | KKTV 11 News - Colorado Springs, CO

Airman Basic Darwin Paredesillescas is accused of raping the woman in February. He waived his right to an Article 32 hearing, allowing the case to proceed directly to court-martial.

Fort Carson Soldiers Accused In Iraqi Drowning May Face Court-Martial

Key Hearing Set Wednesday

TheDenverChannel.com - CO

Three commanders linked to the drowning case were given nonjudicial punishments for allegedly conspiring to impede a homicide investigation. Capt. Matthew Cunningham, Maj. Robert Gwinner and Lt. Col. Nathan Sassaman were punished under Article 15, which allows punishments without a court proceeding or public record.

Eglin AFB major charged with illegal Iraq war souvenirs

The Associated Press | Heraldtribune.com - Southwest Florida

No decision has yet been made whether the officer, whose identify was withheld, will be court-martialed or, instead, subject to nonjudicial disciplinary action..."

DoD IG Joseph E. Schmitz

Bugging found in Pentagon Inspector General's office

The Hindu News Update Service

The sweep revealed that a wire had been installed inside the wall structure leading to and from the ninth and tenth floors of the DoDIG areas which comprise the Defence Criminal Investigative Service and the personnel office space of the Inspector General..."

Navy Secretary Gordon oversees the Combatant Status Review Tribunals that begin this week or next.

Guantanamo Detainees Notified of Rights; Tribunals to Begin Soon

Kathleen T. Rhem
AFPS | New York Jewish Times

The tribunal plan calls for three panels of three officers each running hearings simultaneously throughout each day.

An important read...

A former POW opines on John Kerry's qualifications

Vietnam Propagandist for President?

Jim Warner
Frontpagemag.com

When John Kerry said that Vietnam vets were criminals, did he not know that the Communists would use his words against the POWs?

"Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's name, Social Security number or other personal information to apply for credit, buy goods and services, or commit other fraud."

Military Taking Steps to Protect Against Identity Theft

Donna Miles
DefenseLINK News

...the Defense Department teamed up with the Federal Trade Commission to launch Military Sentinel. This online complaint network enables military members and DoD civilian employees to report identity theft and other consumer frauds.

Pentagon admits 94 abuse cases

Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
Guardian Unlimited - UK

The Pentagon acknowledged yesterday that abuse of Iraqi and Afghan prisoners by their US army guards occurred on a far greater scale than previously disclosed, with at least 94 confirmed cases of death in custody, sexual and physical assault, and other mistreatment.

Iraqi women stigmatized by prison

Once freed, they often disappear

Orly Halpern
Special to The Globe and Mail - UK

A Pentagon report prepared by U.S. Army Major-General Antonio Taguba, however, found that soldiers videotaped and photographed naked female detainees at Abu Ghraib.

Ft. Drum troop picked up for Unauthorized Absence (UA)

Soldier misses duty call

Jessica York
Bennington Banner - Bennington, VT

Friends say Pvt. Anthony J. Wirmusky Jr., 20, was on leave from the Army mourning the death of his mother and stepfather and never returned to duty.

Harry Schmidt fundraiser...

LOCAL MOTHER STEPS UP EFFORTS TO HELP SON

Organizes Art Auction and Sale to Benefit 183rd Pilots Defense Fund

JAG Hunter here: Gee golly gosh! This is news?

Many Elite Soldiers Leave for Better Pay

Pauline Jelinek
The Associated Press | My Way News

To some extent the government has helped create the growing market outside its doors. Both the Defense Department and the CIA have hired private contractors to cover their own manpower shortages, especially in skills such as linguistics and prisoner interrogation.

US coalition punishes officer for beating Afghan soldier

Xinhua - China

It was the first time that the US coalition in Afghanistan imposed such punishment on US military staff for their misbehavior after increasing complaints about US trainers' abuse at US detention centers were reported.

Military Investigations into Treatment of Detainees in U.S. Custody

Noticias.info (Comunicados de prensa) - Spain

Ft. Benning troop

Soldier charged with sexual assault

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer - Columbus, GA

A 25-year-old Fort Benning soldier accused of molesting a teenage girl was arrested Friday evening on two sexual assault charges.

Meth lab in Navy housing

Navy woman, 2 civilians accused of running ice lab

Curtis Lum
The Honolulu Advertiser - Hawaii

A raid of the home was conducted by the Honolulu Police Department, state Public Safety Narcotics Enforcement Division, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Robins Air Force Base Article 32 hearing

Airman to face precise justice

Gene Rector
Macon Telegraph - Macon, GA

The Robins judge said the hearing official will be looking to answer three questions: Are the charges in proper form? Do they relate to an offense covered by the UCMJ? Is there sufficient evidence to support the charges?

Ft. Lewis soldier administratively discharged. Article 15? Army officials wont' say.

Soldier discharged

GEORGE B. SÁNCHEZ
The Californian - Salinas, CA

"Omar Garcia-Sanchez is no longer in the United States Army and is no longer at Fort Lewis..."

Utah Marine speaks out

Hassoun will soon face military investigators

Robert Gehrke
Salt Lake Tribune - Utah

I did not desert my post, Hassoun said in his first public statement since he resurfaced.

Utah Marine speaks out

Hassoun will soon face military investigators

Robert Gehrke
Salt Lake Tribune - Utah

I did not desert my post, Hassoun said in his first public statement since he resurfaced.

Fears of a military draft persist despite official dismissals

Will Sullivan
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch - St. Louis, MO

"There's no political will for a draft on either side of the aisle," Triebel said. "The administration doesn't want a draft. The Department of Defense doesn't want a draft."

Maj. Harry Schmidt update

U.S. pilot convicted in Afghan bombing that killed 4 Canadians loses appeal

Canada.com

The U.S. air force announced Monday that Carlson had rejected Schmidt's appeal of his verdict. The case now will be forwarded to Gen. Hal Hornburg, commander of the air force combat command, for a final decision which is not further reviewable...

Problem with the military vote foreseen. SWAT teams of specially trained party lawyers forming up.

Kerry Building Legal Network for Vote Fights
The New York Times

Kerry aides say the campaign has set up a national steering committee with task forces tackling different issues: one on ballot machines, another on voter education, and a third on absentee, early, and military voting, to name a few...

Air Force Academy football

A different standard

Chris Graham
Augusta Free Press

Not suspended indefinitely, dropped to #2 on the depth chart or anything of that nature. Court-martialed.

Another waived Article 32

Cadets face court-martial for steroids

Todd Jacobson
Colorado Springs Gazette - CO

Jonathan S. Belkowitz waived his right to an evidence hearing, and Rosa is deciding whether a court-martial is in order.

Who restores honor?

Martha's Problem Part of a Bigger Problem

W.R. Mann
Michnews.com - Troy, MI

His crime: selflessly protecting troops under his command from terrorist killers murderers.

The strange journey of Sgt. Jenkins

Robert Marquand | Staff writer
The Christian Science Monitor

...it is seen by some in the White House as a political hot potato in an election year with troops deployed abroad to signal that desertion is acceptable.

Army Sgt. Robert Jenkins

Alleged U.S. Deserter in Japan Hospital

Joseph Coleman
The Associated Press | My Way News

The United States has maintained its right to pursue a case against Jenkins. He was never officially discharged from the military and is subject to U.S. military authorities under an agreement between the United States and Japan, where some 50,000 U.S. troops are based.

Breaking...

Accused American Deserter Arrives in Japan

Todd Zaun
The New York Times

American officials say they intend to prosecute Mr. Jenkins, who has appeared in North Korean propaganda films, though they also say they may wait to seek custody while he receives treatment.

The Draft...

Possibility of military draft growing

Connie Cartmell
The Marietta Times - Marietta, OH

"It's not a certainty, but it is a strong possibility," U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, said Friday. "If people have sons and daughters in their teen years, they need to be paying attention."

U.S. may delay asking Japan for Jenkins

Yomiuri Shimbun
Daily Yomiuri On-Line - Tokyo, Japan

The United States had maintained that it would ask the Japanese government to hand over Jenkins immediately upon his arrival in Japan in order to uphold U.S. law and military discipline.

Desertion end date left blank on the charge sheet...

Notes Offer Clues in Army Desertion Case

Robert Burns
The Associated Press | My Way News

Largely ignored for years, the case has risen to the level of a diplomatic crisis today.

The Draft...

Bills for military draft on hold

Martin J. Kidston
Helena Independent Record - Helena, MT

As written, the two bills would require all U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 26, including women, to perform a period of military service, or a period of civilian service, to further national defense and homeland security.

Hearings to begin next week, or the week after...

Guantanamo Inmates Ready to Face Tribunals

John J. Lumpkin
The Associated Press | My Way News

"This isn't a trial," [Navy Secretary] England said. "This is looking at facts."

Navy Secretary Gordon England in charge

Military tribunal hearings to begin at Guantanamo

The Associated Press KFVS TV - Cape Girardeau, MO

...there is no attorney-client privilege. For example, if a detainee admits during a meeting with his liaison to a crime like making a car bomb -- the tribunal will hear about it.

Young people fear prospect of military draft

Nick Leonhardt
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne, IN
(Nick Leonhardt will be a senior in September at Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, Md. He wrote this for the Baltimore Sun.)

Youths who prefer Old Navy to the U.S. Navy may find themselves in uniform soon. Without waiting for congressional approval, the Pentagon has effectively ended the all-volunteer Army by blocking the retirement requests of 40,000 soldiers in what are called stop-loss orders.

Schmidt's lawyers appeal punishment

Lisa Kernek - Staff Writer
Springfield State Journal Register - Springfield, IL

The Air Force's allegation that Schmidt's claim of self-defense was false, his lawyers said, "is supported by the same quantum of evidence as the claim that the moon is made of green cheese."

US Army Sgt. Charles Robert Jenkins

Accused deserter a touchstone for US-Japan ties

Kosuke Takahashi
Asia Times Online - Hong Kong

Japanese TV station TBS presented on Thursday night three possible scenarios for handling the case, based on interviews with US officials in Washington...

The Port Chicago Mutiny

Survivors mark Naval disaster

Martin C. Evans - Staff Writer
Newsday

At 10:18 p.m. that moonless July evening, the worst stateside disaster of World War II claimed the lives of 320 people -- including 202 African-Americans, the most killed in any one naval incident of the war.

Congress's Inquiry Into Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners Bogs Down

Eric Schmitt
The New York Times

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said he agreed with Mr. Warner on putting off more hearings, but said investigators must search for culpability among higher-ranking officers and officials. "The idea that only five or six privates and sergeants are legally exposed is unacceptable..."

Accused US deserter's hometown seeks answers as family seeks pardon

Channel News Asia - Singapore

"He's still a deserter and he is still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice..."

Air Force Academy

AFA cadet convicted on drug charge

The Associated Press
Colorado Springs Gazette - CO

Two cadets have been ordered to face courts-martial on steroid charges; two others have been charged and a fifth is under investigation.

Military vote in jeopardy

Gannett News Service
Quad City Times - Davenport, IA

A study by the Pentagon at that time found that three-quarters of overseas troops it interviewed reported problems in voting.

Accused deserter likely faces scrutiny

Eric Talmadge - Writer
The Associated Press | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Once he is in Japan, he ... falls under the authority of the U.S. military. ... And we intend to request custody when we have the legal opportunity to do so..."

Editorial

Sideshow

Bragg hearings part of much larger story

Fayetteville Online - Fayetteville, NC

The larger story is anchored in Washington. It begins at high levels.

Bremer May Testify on Iraq Prisoner Abuse

Pauline Jelinek
The Associated | Press My Way News

More cases of possible mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners have come to Congress' attention and need investigation by the Pentagon, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Thursday.

Marine Who Vanished in Iraq Lands in U.S.

The Associated Press My Way News

The Navy has said it is investigating whether the kidnapping might have been a hoax, but the Naval Criminal Investigation Service is not expected to question Hassoun until his repatriation procedure is completed..."

Idaho GIs Given Talking Points for Media

Chuck Oxley - Writer
The Associated Press Editor & Publisher

Because of the increased contact, even the lowest privates now receive training on dealing with the media.

Prisoner abuse scandal - Iraq

Senate committee wants Bremer to testify

The Associated Press | MSNBC

Warner said additional instances of possible mistreatment that need investigation by the Pentagon were brought to his attention during the briefing.

Passengers Give Troops First-Class Seats

The Associated Press | My Way News

US to Seek Custody of Ex-Soldier in Japan-Officials

Will Dunham
Reuters

"The point I can tell you is that it remains our position to request custody of Sgt. Jenkins when we're legally able to do so. And the clarification is that in Indonesia there is no extradition treaty. In Japan, there is."

Quantico will get Hassoun

Pamela Gould
The Free Lance-Star - Fredericksburg, VA and The Associated Press

Hassoun's transfer from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to Quantico marks movement to the third phase of his repatriation.

Plane delayed for return of Utah Marine

Joe Bauman
Salt Lake City Deseret News - Salt Lake City, UT

Asked whether any charges had been filed concerning Hassoun's disappearance, McSweeney said none had.

New River Air Station Marine

Man arrested on nine-year-old sex charges

The Daily News - Jacksonville, NC

[Marine] Master Gunnery Sgt. John Michael Jambon, 46, was charged with first-degree sexual offense and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

JAG Hunter here: Federal law enforcement (NCIS) agents being paid off by county government for federal assistance supplied as part of a state/community policing activity. One more dangerous precedent set.

Camden Sheriff, NCIS Receive Assets From Prostitution Ring

News4Jax.com Jacksonville, FL, News 4 Georgia, and K-Bay 106.com, Camden County, GA

District Attorney Stephen Kelly said the money represents the proceeds from Operation Seoulmate, a joint investigation of a prostitution ring that operated in Glynn and Camden counties three years ago.

The military vote | Editorial

Florida redux?

The Journal News - Westchester,NY

The Pentagon's own Inspector General's Office found that a program to help troops vote has been given low priority by field commanders. Nearly three of every five U.S. troops did not know who their designated voting assistance officer was..."

Air Force is scapegoating Guard pilot in Afghanistan bombing, lawyer says

Harry Levins
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch - St. Louis, MO

"This reprimand was not written for Maj. Schmidt - it was plainly written for the media and the Air Force's external audiences."

Guantánamo trial for Bin Laden driver

Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
Guardian Unlimited - UK

Salim Ahmed Hamdan from Yemen, who was a driver and, allegedly, bodyguard for Osama bin Laden between 1996 and 2001, faces terrorism conspiracy charges.

US Denies Torturing Guantanamo Detainees

Voice of America News

Status of Forces Agreement...

U.S. presence in grillings unfair scrutiny?

Critics hit SOFA's service protections since others must face cops alone.

HIROSHI MATSUBARA - Staff writer
The Japan Times Online

The Justice Ministry official declined to say whether such apparent exceptional treatment of U.S military criminal suspects could run counter to the constitutional equality of all people, but added that Japan, by having a foreign military with police authority, is in an "exceptional" situation in the first place.

Concern Growing over Prospect of Draft

Jonathan Block, editor
Cato Daily Dispatch for July 14, 2004
The Cato Institute

"...as fatalities in Iraq increase and as troops see their tours extended, there is a growing concern across the country that a draft may be in the offing..."

Marine corporal faces hard questions on return to the United States

SpaceDaily

Awaiting him are investigators from the Naval Criminal Investigation Services who are probing every aspect of his disappearance June 21 from a base near Fallujah, a center of resistance by both Baathists and Islamic militants to the US-led occupation.

Marine Hassoun Set to Return to U.S. from Germany

Will Dunham
Reuters

Investigators will look into whether he was abducted by militants in Iraq, whether the abduction was a hoax or whether Hassoun was deserting the U.S. military...

Japan notified Jenkins wanted in US on desertion charges: Pentagon spokesman

SpaceDaily

...charges against Jenkins, who disappeared on patrol in Korea in 1965, have been "in abeyance" and there is no statute of limitations on desertion charges.

Editorial

Does Army treat abuse seriously?

Denver Post

U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, a Colorado Springs Republican whose district includes Fort Carson, said, "If the commanders led the deception or were involved in hiding the facts, they should face the same, if not stricter, punishment than their subordinates."

Swede reignites Guantanamo Bay torture fears

ABC News Online

"There was always psychological torture, but the last month they used more physical torture..."

Abuse allegations under way: Ruddock

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

"I've seen some reports that suggest that the United States has commenced its investigation about the allegations that both Hicks and Habib may have been mishandled before they went to Guantanamo Bay..."

Naval Station Everett, WA

Everett: Suspect crashes after pursuit

Mouth Lake Terrace Herald - Mouth Lake Terrace, WA

The man, a sailor at Naval Station Everett, was booked into Snohomish County Jail under investigation for domestic violence, eluding police, driving under the influence and hit and run...

Nullifying the military vote...again!!

Justice Department files suit against Georgia to enforce rights of overseas military and civilian citizens to vote in July 20 primary

U.S. Department of Justice press release

Noticias.info - Spain

The government’s complaint alleges that numerous counties failed to mail requested absentee ballots to Georgia citizens living overseas in sufficient time for them to vote in the upcoming primary.

Marines and murder

Roommate says defendant admitted to killing a man

ROSELEE PAPANDREA
The Daily News, Jacksonville, NC

Madden and Lasiter agreed to let Naval Criminal Investigative Service search their room in the barracks, and two baseball bats were found in a bat bag under the bed. Madden said the bag belonged to Lasiter.

Air Force Academy

Cadet Court Martial

The Associated Press | KKTV 11 News - Colorado Springs, CO

Military officials say Cadet First Class Shane Thomas used the club drugs Ecstasy and ketamine last October.

Dr. Rodney Stacey Bullock asks: Are frame-ups now legal?

JAG Hunter here: Command influence translates into "rigged process." There is no oversight of senior commanders. They are free to do as they please. Nothing new here.

Guantanamo Prisoners Notified They Can Challenge Their Detention

Voice of America News

Critics call the review tribunal a rigged process, since military officers will judge the cases, while other officers act as counsel for the detainees.

Red Cross Suspects U.S. Hides Detainees

Naomi Koppel
The Associated Press | My Way News

Terror suspects reported by the FBI as captured have never turned up in detention centers, and the United States has failed to reply to agency demands for a list of everyone it's holding...

Nebraska's attorney general on the effects of a general discharge from military service...

Bruning Statement Regarding Veteran's Benefits and Discharges from the Military

Southwest Nebraska News

It is an insult to honorably discharged veterans to suggest that an honorable and a general discharge mean the same thing.

US notifies Japan that army deserter will be charged

RADIO AUSTRALIA

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Commander Flex Plexico says the charges against Mr Jenkins, who disappeared on patrol in Korea in 1965 are serious and need to be resolved in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Barriers to voting remain for troops deployed abroad

Jim Drinkard
USA TODAY

Problems with military absentee ballots that clouded the 2000 election have not been fixed, jeopardizing the ability of more than 160,000 troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to have their votes counted this fall.

GIs Charged In Detainee Death

CBS News

The New York Times reports a new report by the Army's inspector general says military prison training and policy contributed to the abuses seen at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, but does not report systemic abuse or name top officials.

US secretly holding terror suspects - Red Cross

Ireland Online - Dublin

“Some of these people who have been reported to be arrested never showed up in any of the places of detention run by the US where we visit...”

Pfc. Lynndie England hearing is rescheduled again

Michael A. Fuoco
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pfc. Lynndie England, perhaps the most recognized of the Army reservists charged in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, appeared in a military courtroom yesterday at Fort Bragg, N.C., for five minutes in preparation for a full-scale hearing Aug. 3 on whether she will face a court-martial.

White House lawyer laments Bush court loss

Gina Holland
The Associated Press | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"U.S. courts ... have never been extended so far," Olson told members of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group.

Pentagon to Begin Guantanamo Hearings in Weeks

Will Dunham
Reuters

"Speed is of the essence," Navy Secretary Gordon England, who heads the process, told a briefing.

Marine facing court-martial says he was told to be rough with prisoners

Scott Marshall - Staff Writer
North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County

A military judge ruled Thursday that the reservist, Sgt. Gary Pittman, can call as a witness another sergeant who supports the allegation that he and others were instructed to be more severe with prisoners.

Sasebo sailors sentenced in fishing-boat theft

Pacific Stars & Stripes

Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Montayne Dutcher, 21, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon James Kelley, 20, each received a one-year prison sentence suspended for four years, according to Nagasaki District Court.

Pilot convicted in friendly fire that killed Canadians will appeal

Harry Levins - Senior Writer
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

What's more, lawyer Charles Gittins said Wednesday, Schmidt also will sue in civilian court over the release of a severely worded letter of reprimand.

Unlawful command influence...

Impeding of inquiry claimed

3 Carson officers tried to hinder drowning probe, records show

Dick Foster
Rocky Mountain News

"He doesn't see much justice in diminishing the punishment for commanders or giving them special treatment," said Hefley's press secretary, Sarah Shelden. "If they led the effort to hide the facts or cover up the facts, they should face the same punishment that their subordinates are facing."

Pentagon probed on torture memo secrets

United Press International | The Washington Times

News Transcript: Combatant Status Review Tribunals

DoD News: Defense Department Background Briefing on the Combatant Status Review Tribunal

DefenseLINK

Navy Secretary Gordon England to review prisoner's status

Pentagon Responds to Guantanamo Bay Court Action

Will Dunham
Reuters

...each of the roughly 595 prisoners held at Guantanamo will be notified by July 17 of the opportunity to contest before the newly created tribunal of three military officers his status as an "unlawful enemy combatant" -- the classification given to them rather than POW. They also will be given notice of the basis for their detention...

Four cadets charged with steroid-related violations

United States Air Force (press release)

They are being charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice’s Article 112a. If convicted, they face confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and dismissal from the academy.

Federal Appeals Court Picks D.C. Venue for Guantanamo Bay Detainees

ABC 7 News - WJLA - Washington,DC

The San Francisco-based ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is the appropriate venue for the 595 detainees given that they are overseas and are suing the federal government.

Pentagon seeks way around high court on Guantanamo detainees

SpaceDaily

The Pentagon on Wednesday responded to the June 28 Supreme Court ruling by ordering the creation of Combatant Review Tribunals to determine whether each of the 594 detainees at Guantanamo is being lawfully held as an "enemy combatant."

NEW: Accused Marine receives suspended sentence in Japan

Zeke MacCormack
San Antonio Express - San Antonio, TX

"This whole thing has been a sham," Hilton Sherrod of Fair Oaks Ranch, the father-in-law to Brown, a U.S. Marine major. "It was a face-saving end for the Japanese government."

Reunion after ex-GI leaves N.Korea

CNN.com

In a recent interview, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell noted that while the Japanese were treating the situation as a humanitarian issue, "Sgt. Jenkins is, of course, a deserter from the U.S. Army and those charges are still outstanding."

James Yee Speaks Publicly for First Time After End of Guantanamo Bay Scandal

Heather Harlan
Pacific News Service

Among those who attended the event was New York City Councilman John Liu, who in May had introduced a resolution before the City Council calling for a federal investigation into the government's handling of Yee's case.

Hassoun fate up to military

Geoffrey Fattah, Lisa Riley Roche and Dennis Romboy
Deseret News - Salt Lake City, UT

... the Defense Department announced that Hassoun's status has changed from "captured" to "returned to military control." His whereabouts between June 19 and July 8 are under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Military Police Officer Accused Of Killing His Wife

WSFA TV Montgomery, AL

21-year-old Wyndi Booth was shot last month.

Nonjudicial punishment - Article 15 UCMJ

Eight soldiers charged for visiting banned businesses

WTVM & WXTX TV - Columbus, GA

Eight soldiers were detained and charged after the first police patrol of lounges and motels declared off-limits to Fort Benning personnel by the post commander.

Fort Benning, GA

Eight soldiers charged after found in businesses banned by commander

The Associated Press | Columbus Ledger-Enquirer - Columbus, GA

Fort Benning spokesman Rich McDowell said the soldiers were charged Friday with disobeying a lawful order.

Late entry

Fort Campbell Soldiers’ Courts-Martial Begin Monday

NewsChannel 5 Network WTVF - Nashville, TN

The first, for Sgt. Hasan Akbar, a member of the 101st Airborne Division who was charged with a grenade attack that killed 101st Airborne officers and injured 14 other soldiers.

Airman in custody in death of couple at Robins Air Force Base

Macon Telegraph

Roots of justice lie in Nazi capture

Military tribunals use 60-year precedent

Connie Cass
The Associated Press | San Francisco Examiner

Gonzales soldier faces court-martial

DARLENE DENSTORFF
The Ascension Citizen

The parents of a Gonzales soldier facing court-martial in the fatal shooting of an Iraqi civilian said their son shot the civilian to defend another soldier.

Late entry

Army commanders punished in Iraq

The Associated Press | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Capt. Matthew Cunningham, Maj. Robert Gwinner and Lt. Col. Nathan Sassaman were punished this spring under Article 15, which does not require a court proceeding or public record, the Army said Tuesday.

Pilot tells lawyer to appeal

John Cotter
National Post

"The letter of reprimand was not based on the evidence. The general (Bruce Carlson) acted arbitrarily and capriciously and we believe he acted on evidence outside the record."

Parents condemn Lt. Gen. Carlson...

I do not believe that I have seen such intense venom in a letter in all my life. This is far beyond anything that might claim to be a reprimand--it is poisonous attack on someone who made the mistake of not keeping his mouth shut.

As we all know, there is far more to this story than that concentrated upon in General Carlson's 'letter'. In this highly personal assault, it is the General himself who brings shame on the U.S. Air Force.

Gittins said by phone Wed. that the letter's release violated federal privacy laws. He said he would sue in U.S. District Court in Washington, seeking damages for Schmidt.

As for the question of remorse, Gittins said, "The very last words Harry Schmidt said to Gen. Carlson were, "Nobody feels worse about this than I do.' I wonder whether Gen. Carlson was paying attention.

Harry and Joan, proud parents of Maj. Harry Schmidt

The entire contents of the letter of reprimand from Gen. Bruce Carlson to Maj. Harry Schmidt put out to the press. PLEASE, PLEASE PASS THIS ENTIRE E MAIL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

Gen. Bruce Carlson's letter reprimanding Maj. Harry Schmidt:

"You are hereby reprimanded. You flagrantly disregarded a direct order from the controlling agency, exercised a total lack of basic flight discipline over your aircraft, and blatantly ignored the applicable rules of engagement and special instructions.

Your willful misconduct directly caused the most egregious consequences imaginable, the deaths of four coalition soldiers and injury to eight others. The victims of your callous misbehavior were from one of our staunch allies in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and were your comrades-in-arms.

You acted shamefully on 17 April 2002 over Tarnak Farms, Afghanistan, exhibiting arrogance and a lack of flight discipline. When your flight lead warned you to "make sure it's not friendlies" and the Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft controller directed you to "stand by" and later to "hold fire," you should have marked the location with your targeting pod. Thereafter, if you believed, as you stated, you and your leader were threatened, you should have taken a series of evasive actions and remained at a safe distance to await further instructions from AWACS. Instead, you closed on the target and blatantly disobeyed the direction to "hold fire." Your failure to follow that order is inexcusable. I do not believe you acted in defense of Major Umbach or yourself. Your actions indicate that you used your self-defense declaration as a pretext to strike a target, which you rashly decided was an enemy firing position, and about which you had exhausted your patience in waiting for clearance from the Combined Air Operations Center to engage. You used the inherent right of self-defense as an excuse to wage your own war.

In your personal presentation before me on 1 July 2004, I was astounded that you portrayed yourself as a victim of the disciplinary process without expressing heartfelt remorse over the deaths and injuries you caused to the members of the Canadian Forces. In fact, you were obviously angry that the United States Air Force had dared to question your actions during the 17 April 2002 tragedy. Far from providing any defense for your actions, the written materials you presented to me at the hearing only served to illustrate the degree to which you lacked flight discipline as a wingman of COFFEE Flight on 17 April 2002.

Through your arrogance, you undermined one of the most sophisticated weapons systems in the world, consisting of the Combined Air Operations Center, the Airborne Warning and Control System, and highly disciplined pilots, all of whom must work together in an integrated fashion to achieve combat goals. The United States Air Force is a major contributor to military victories over our Nation's enemies because our pilots possess superior flight discipline. However, your actions on the night of 17 April 2002 demonstrate an astonishing lack of flight discipline. You were blessed with an aptitude for aviation, your nation provided you the best aviation training on the planet, and you acquired combat expertise in previous armed conflicts. However, by your gross poor judgment, you ignored your training and your duty to exercise flight discipline, and the result was tragic. I have no faith in your abilities to perform in a combat environment.

I am concerned about more than your poor airmanship; I am also greatly concerned about your officership and judgment. Our Air Force core values stress "integrity first." Following the engagement in question, you lied about the reasons why you engaged the target after you were directed to hold fire and then you sought to blame others. You had the right to remain silent, but not the right to lie. In short, the final casualty of the engagement over Kandahar on 17 April 2002 was your integrity."

'Friendly fire' pilot suing air force

CBC Calgary - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The air force released a copy of the scathing reprimand Schmidt received from Lt.-Gen. Bruce Carlson when he found the pilot guilty of dereliction of duty.

Pilot's mom goes on attack

Frank Mann
The Chicago Sun Times

"I have never seen such intense venom in a letter in all my life," Joan Schmidt said.

Major Schmidt's defenders are many...and this case isn't over!

Inside the Ring

Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough
The Washington Times

"I found no departures from flight discipline on the part of Maj. Schmidt. His actions were well within the rules of engagement."

JAG Hunter here: Back up and running. Updates and late entries in progress.

ORBUSMAX

JAG Hunter here: Taking a brief leave of absence. Will be back with updates and late entries on Monday, 12 July 2004.

JAG Hunter here: General Carlson's vicious letter was written with malicious and specific intent. The purpose of the letter: To defame USAF Major Harry Schmidt in front of a Canadian audience to appease them, to placate them, and to entertain them.

Gen. Bruce Carlson’s letter reprimanding Maj. Harry Schmidt

Reply by Schmidt’s attorney

Springfield State Journal Register - Springfield, IL

JAG Hunter here: This is how we really treat our best and brightest and their families. Operation support our troops...make no mistake!!

Schmidt reprimanded

Lisa Kernec - Staff Writer
Springfield State Journal Register - Springfield, IL

...Harry and Lisa Schmidt had wearied of the dragging legal proceedings.

U.S. fighter pilot reprimanded for Canadian deaths

Rowan Scarborough
The Washington Times

"Because of a failure of aircraft command and control run by generals, Harry made an honest mistake," Mr. Gittins said. "It was not criminal and should not be criminalized as such. The reprimand is an affront to everyone who flies military aircraft."

Article 32s waived?

Charges strike AFA football

Two projected starters are off the team because of alleged violations related to steroids.

Irv Moss and Eileen Kelley
The Denver Post

Ward and Spence have waived preliminary hearings and will go before academy superintendent Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa as they advance through the military justice system.

Robins Air Force Base, GA

Former resident killed in Georgia

Sharon K. Wolfe
Bloomington Pantagraph - Bloomington, IL

Senior Airman Andrew Schliepsiek and his wife, Jamie Schliepsiek, were found dead about 5 a.m. Monday in their base residence...

Blair Calls for an End to Guantanamo Prison Camp

Deutsche Welle - Germany

During a meeting with lawmakers on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair called the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay an "anomaly that must end" during tough questioning over his relationship with Washington.

Shape shifters...

Fort Carson officers avoid trials

Tom Roeder
Colorado Springs Gazette - Colorado Springs, CO

"If the higher-ups were involved in a cover-up, they should face the same kind of jeopardy as their subordinates."

Prepared statement of Mr. Charles Gittins, civilian attorney representing USAF Major Harry Schmidt:

We have reviewed the decision by General Carlson and are shocked by the fact that General Carlson found Harry guilty of an offense of which he was never charged: the unpremeditated murder of the four Canadians. If what General Carlson claimed were true -- that Harry used self defense as a pretext and recklessly released ordnance without legal justification -- that constitutes unpremeditated murder under the UCMJ. Not even Brig. General Steve Sergeant, the Air Force's chief hatchet man at the Article 32 investigation, could look Harry in the eye and [make] that specious allegation.

This accident was the product of a personal failure on the part of General T. Michael Mosely, who recklessly failed to cause his command and control system -- for which he bore responsibility as the Commander CENTAF -- to provide adequate and necessary to the safe planning and execution of the missions being flown into Afghanistan. By placing the blame at the lowest possible level -- the lowest ranked American in the chain, the Air Force has protected the criminal negligence of its general officer corps. This bodes ill for the rank and file USAF combat aviator -- they can expect to be sacrificed for the careerist generals who claim to be Air Force leaders but lack the moral courage to stand up and do what is right.

Major Schmidt is contemplating his appeal and whether to pursue his claim for an intentional violation of his Privacy Act rights by General Carlson's unlawful release of service record documents protected from public release by the Privacy Act.

Maj. Harry Schmidt...

Pilot reprimanded for Canadian deaths

United Press International | The Washington Times

Maj. Schmidt update: Another in a long-running series of "military justice" abuses!

U.S. Pilot Fined for Fatal Canadian Bombing Error

Jeff Franks
Reuters

Friendly fire pilot blames poor chain of command

Rowan Scarborough
The Washington Times

Mr. Gittins' brief also criticizes the Air Force for what it calls a flawed chain of command that failed to notify Maj. Schmidt that the Canadians were training on the range that night.

39th Brigade Officer Accused of Sexual Misconduct

KATV Channel 7 - Little Rock, AR

Military officials say 43-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Fred Raymond Sampson used his rank to coerce female soldiers into having sex.

Opinion

Actually, they're called protections...

They're called rights for a reason

Rocky Mountain News
Editorial Board

The Constitution is unmistakably clear that the government cannot lock up citizens without charge and that everyone is entitled to a speedy trial, counsel and the right to summon and confront witnesses.

Like Truman, Bush hits wartime roadblock

DAVID G. SAVAGE
Los Angeles Times | Duluth News Tribune

President Truman had tried to seize and run the steel mills to sustain the war effort in Korea.

Q&A: US Supreme Court Guantanamo ruling

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay can take their case that they are unlawfully imprisoned to the American courts.

BBC NEWS

Why did the Supreme Court rule in the prisoners' favour?

OP-ED

Rights of Terror Suspects

William Safire
New York Times

...Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld convened a panel of serious outside lawyers aware of the wartime mistakes of Lincoln, Wilson and F.D.R.

Draft update...

Warner Discourages Reinstatement of Draft

William C. Mann
The Associated Press | My Way News

What has brought up the question again is the Pentagon's order last week to recall to active duty 5,674 members of the Individual Ready Reserve, soldiers who have served specified tours of duty but have years remaining in their enlistment contracts.

Military Commissions: DoD website answers to FAQs

U.S. Department of Defense - Military Commissions

Iraq group denies killing abducted U.S. [Marine]

Reuters

JAG Hunter here: The threatened court-martial of U.S. Air Force Maj. Harry Schmidt was part of a secret deal intended to placate the Canadians...

Report: US and Saudi traded terrorists

TVNZ.co.nz - New Zealand

The United States agreed to return five suspected terrorists to Saudi Arabia last year as part of a secret deal intended to placate important allies in the invasion of Iraq...

And? A question left begging is...so what?

U.S. General Says Met Israeli Interrogator in Iraq

Reuters | My Way - News

Brigadier-General Janis Karpinski, who was responsible for military police guarding all Iraqi jails at the time prisoners were abused by U.S. troops there, told the BBC she met the Israeli at a Baghdad interrogation center.

Nonjudicial punishment...Article 15 - UCMJ

Pair issued Article 15s after smuggling AK-47 from Iraq

Jon R. Anderson
European Stars & Stripes

An Article 15 is one of the Army’s ways of punishing soldiers without formal charges or a court-martial and is typically reserved for minor offenses.

Waiting for confirmation...

Family of Marine shocked at news of death

Paul Foy
The Associated Press | Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The military said earlier in the week that Hassoun had gone on an unauthorized absence and may have wanted to head to Lebanon when he was captured.