During training in GITMO for the MP's who "guard" the detainees apparently a drill was run using a soldier the MP "rapid reaction force" did not know. They kicked and beat the living shit out of him. Literally.
Spc. Sean D. Baker, 38, was assaulted in January 2003 after he volunteered to wear an orange jumpsuit and portray an uncooperative detainee. Baker said the MPs, who were told that he was an unruly detainee who had assaulted an American sergeant, inflicted a beating that resulted in a traumatic brain injury.
...
The Pentagon initially said that Baker's hospitalization following the training incident was not related to the beating. Later, officials conceded that he was treated for injuries suffered when a five-man MP "internal reaction force" choked him, slammed his head several times against a concrete floor and sprayed him with pepper gas.
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As he was being choked and beaten, Baker said, he screamed a code word, "red," and shouted: "I'm a U.S. soldier! I'm a U.S. soldier!" He said the beating continued until the jumpsuit was yanked down during the struggle, revealing his military uniform.
So, the Army practically kills the guy, then lies about it (no real surprise there) and then they make this statement.
"While it is unfortunate that Spc. Baker was injured, the standards of professionalism we expect of our soldiers mandate that our training be as realistic as possible," the spokesman said. my emphasis
Well by that standard of realistic training to increase the "standards of professionalism" (cough), henceforth to ensure that all the flight-deck firefighting personnel on aircraft carriers/aviation capable ships are able to perform within the ""standards of professionalism" for thier jobs, let's have an aircraft accident or revisit the Forrestal fire once a year for all aviation-capable ships. Isn't that just being consistent? What a buffoon.
posted by Jo Fish on 06.19.05 at 07:55 PM
Comments:
And they wonder why enlistment numbers are down. "Join the army - travel to exotic lands - meet interesting people - and have the piss beaten out of you by your own comrades." Who wouldn't want to join?
Brain injury? Is Spc. Baker all right now? Ohhh man...this is seriously bad news. Perhaps its just perceptions, but why does the GOP get a free ride with the majority of the military? They cut veteran's benefits, send them to war under equipped, bring them home from war and discard them...I just don't get it.
posted by: Edo on 06.20.05 at 06:33 PM [permalink]