Question about the Royal Navy and Royal Marines related to their kidnapping by Iran.?

Question

I served 22 years in the US Navy before I retired back in 1996.

In the US military we have a code of conduct made up of six articles...

1. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

3. If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith in my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and back them up in every way.

5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

6. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and the United States of America.

Do the British armed forces have something similar? Should the female hostage be admitting guilt for entering Iran's territorial waters or should she accept release while the rest of her comrades continue to be held? As an American she could face charges.

Answer 1

You're absolutely right. However, there is a loop hole here that they all probably agreed on. They weren't captured. They were arrested. Big difference. It's all about politics right now. Iran is trying to flex there muscles to show the world they're getting tired of all the stress they've been getting. I have no doubt immediately after the Brits were arrested, they were told they're in no harm, just sit tight for a few days while the wheels of politics spin.

I think what Iran wants out of this is to show the world that they are peaceful and of no threat. Everyone is painting Iran with the same brush as Iraq. Iran wants to show everyone that is not the case and took advantage of this when they saw the opportunity. England knows that and thus hasn't dropped in a commando raid getting them back yet. I've trained with the Royal Marines in the past. Don't screw with them. England knows they are in good hands but wants them back. That's all is happening for now.

Answer 2

Hey Navy guy, I was also in the Navy (92-98) WestPac.

Anyways, they probably have something similar, however, even as an American, she would NEVER in a million years be charged for divulging more than name/rank/serial number.

Even admission of guilt like that. Everybody in the global community knows what it is...propaganda.

Although, I am trying to remember what happened with that AF crew that collided with the Chinese fighter a few years back.

I think they kept mum...but I don't really remember.

Answer 3

Sounds like you serve at a desk or you would know that a lot of that goes out of the window in combat.
If you are outnumbered and outgunned you don't shoot it out if you can't win.
The Poms had nowhere else to go and to order them to attack could see you on the carpet if you survived for needlessly throwing away the lives of your squad.

Don't be too tough on the woman she knows what the score is and if you cannot see she is being used as a pawn by the Iranian propagandists, then you need eyeglasses and a hearing aide.

The same thing happened to you Yanks in Gulf War I Vietnam and Korea so for you to sit in you chair preaching American jingoism it is morally reprehensible

Answer 4

Sure they have a code of conduct.
Put yourself in her place. Things can be done to women that can't be done to men. I do believe she should get out as soon as she can. God be with her.
An old AF vet
Hisemiester

Answer 5

Yeah o.k., that's all fine and dandy til you are captured.

My dad spent years as a POW and he had the same codes and they were supposed to do everything and anything to try and escape and upset the enemy...only problem was, they were starved and beaten til they couldn't think straight.

Try it, maybe your code's might crack.

edit: forgot to say he was a British soldier..and I'm proud of him.

Answer 6

my guess is that her shipmates told her to say what she needed to say so that she could get a quick release.

that's just another good reason to keep women out of combat.