Can you beleive these Roayl Marines? How could they break the code of conduct?

Question

I dont know about in the Royal Marines, but in the US Marines ina situation like that you are to give your name rank and serial number and then STFU and wait to be rescued. You are supposed to minimize the amount of pictures taken of you (such as not going on national tv and admitting that Iran is correct adn then talking about how they treat prisoners so much ebtter than the US) and then smilling and coming home with goody bags, writing letters to thier families saying how much they love Iran...

Name. Rank. Serial Number. That is all.. I mean dont these peaple go through the mock POW training like in the US?
In the United States this could be reason for courtmarshal, how do all you Roayl Marines or US marines feel about the fact tha they went with them, and then aided Ahmadenijahd in a successfull propaganda campaign.
I mean they spoke out against their allies and their country all in the same day, on an enemys nation television broadcast. Astounding.

@ Mutant

They can decide if they go on TV but they should have just sat their quietly, not spill about how "we were in Iranian waters and we are sorry adnw e are being trated much better than the US treats their prisoners, everyone here is great" kind attitude. That is unnacceptable.

@ M1a1Mike

"If you had gone through this training yourself then you would be aware that our people are trained that it is very important to get the enemy to release information that proves that you are alive and in their custody. Proof of life ensures that you will eventually return home. "


Your right I do not take that type of training in my MOS, however I know one person who has. Listen, I agree that it was crucial they be allowed tobe televised, but the fact that they were that audible about how much their country sucked and its allie the US and how great Iran is was a miscalculation on their part bro. Think about it, even now that they are back, if they say "Iranians made us say it" The Iranian government is going to tell their people that britain made them say that and Ahmadenijahd will have more support.

.



Look, I see what you all are saying, and I udnerstadn that saying more than name,rank, and Serial # is not always the best choice, especially in modern times. I agree they had to go on TV to show they were alive, and I also understand they were probably coached in what to say, but the level of cooperation to me is questionable, they came home with goodie bags, they claimed their own country lied and that Iran is nicer than the US basicly. Now no matter what tehy say now that they are back, Iran has won the propaganda war YET AGAIN.

Answer 1

If you had gone through this training yourself then you would be aware that our people are trained that it is very important to get the enemy to release information that proves that you are alive and in their custody. Proof of life ensures that you will eventually return home.

Answer 2

I am just torn on this one personally. I want to find out more facts and see just what went on over there before I pass judgment, but, I do think they should have been more somber lads, I am sure Mervyn agrees with me there.

All the shots we got here in the States shows these guys smiling and laughing it up, I don't think I would be behaving the same way after betraying my country.

Still, the Brits are an odd bunch of soldiers, they are the type that could as easily slit your throats as share tea with you given the right circumstances - trust me there. Like I said though, I really am torn on this one, I am just glad they are ok and can tell their debriefers what happened, maybe even get some G2 of our own - which is something I would have been thinking the minute I got caught, what can I gleam from this experience that I can share with Intel?

Answer 3

During the first Gulf war we had coalition aircrew captured by Saddam.They were beaten,starved & threatened with execution on a daily basis.All they gave was name,rank & number & "I cannot answer that question".answers.
It is your duty to survive,to fight another day.to escape. Lesson's learnt.
Obviously we do not know exactly what went on & what they were advised to do by whoever.Ultimatly,the decision to talk to Iranian TV lies with the R.Marine officer in charge or HMG.
It's all ok for you all to spout "They should'nt say this,that,three bags full" but until the events are made known to the public,I'd refrain from mud slingigng.
Normal servicemen & women do not go thru POW training.You are issued with rules governing your treatment under the Geneva Convention.
By putting these servicemen on TV,the Iranians broke these rules & should be held accountable.
Besides,How long do you suggest the captives wait before being rescued? Six months?Six years? If that was you there,would you want to be imprisoned thousands of miles from home,not knowing when you would be released?
We are not like the US,We dont go in all guns blazing,killing & blowing up everything in sight.We are already fighting wars on two fronts,do you want us to fight a third? I dont & I know loads of other servicemen & women whodont either.
Get a grip on reality son.You need it.

Answer 4

The Articles
of the
Code of Conduct


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This page is from The Website for Young Marines

ARTICLE I:
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.

ARTICLE II:
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.

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

ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmfull to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V:
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 or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI:
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 in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The Articles of the Code of Conduct state how an American POW is suppose to act. However, these were Royal Marines
and mervyn m says the British dont use this Code of Conduct.
so mervyn m you shouldn't be so harsh on the guy since he isnt in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines. he was only stating what he knows about the American Code of Conduct.

sgreger1 you should also realize the fact that the British Royal Navy and Marines may not have a code of conduct or POW training as the US does.

Answer 5

How can you criticize what went on when they were released in 13 days?

Does anyone actually BELIEVE that those marines thought that Iran was nice? - No. Everyone knows that the Iranians were being childish and trying to play with the big boys. Truth is, they got scared and caved in to the Brits asking them politely to "Give our ruddy soldiers back chaps."

This is the main difference between US and UK diplomacy. The Brits get things done with minimal fuss, whereas the Americans say, "We're gonna chop your balls off," and make themselves look stupid.

Answer 6

The days of "Name, Rank, and Serial Number" are long gone.

Current POW training has learned from POW treatement in Japan (WWII), Korea/China, and VietNam. POWs are expected to be captured by those who do not comply with what others call the laws of war or the Geneva Convention. The days of POWs getting honourable treatment, visits from the Red Cross, and families at home getting notification are long gone.

Current POW training emphasises survival. This is done by establishing Human contact with the captors and cooperating as much as needed in order to stay alive.

Answer 7

They WERE obeying orders. Their commanders ordered them to co-operate fully with the Iranian authorities. If the Iranians had asked/told them to denounce their mothers they would have done so.

That way they had the best chance of getting back home in one piece. And it worked!

Answer 8

I agree. but to fully understand what happend you have to be there. i would not have said anything bad about my contry or my allies. i would mabe have said that the iranians treated us with respect and no tourchure or somthing you now but never would i have given in like them and i tell you what the fact that they did makes me wanna send them over to iran to live if they like it so much. see how long bofre they wanna come back. name rank and srial number and unfortuantly there is one more you give them respect. you dont gt amdd at them and curse them you say im sorry but im not authorised to say anymore. so on and so on.

Answer 9

Mock POW training doesn't have someone pointing a gun at your head......and being ready to pull the trigger. Plus, you really can't make them to not put you on TV, and the letters could be fabricated. And besides, it's not like they told Iran how to blow up NATO or anything.

Answer 10

MOCK POW training is just that MOCK. . They were in the real thing. Unless you were there you cant know what was said or done to them. Hostages cant say you cant take my picture or anything else. Their lives were on the line and they probably said what they were told to say. Have you heard to one that says Live to fight another day?