What ever happened to - Name, Rank, Serial Number?

Question

This article - and more important, the comments posted by readers - pretty much sums up this situation. Shameful.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/04/05/dl0501.xml

Answer 1

Name, Rank and Serial Number has been the norm for over 50 years. It was not until the Bush regime came to power and declared the Uniform Code of Military Justice, quaint. What a Kick in the teeth to all U.S. Veterans.. The way our government has treated prisoners of war is shameful and is a stain on our country. As a Veteran, I am ashamed of the government that claims to support our military, then disregards the very safeguards developed to protect American prisoners of war.

Answer 2

You've put a rather frighteningly true idea into my mind, and so I'd like to contribute to your observation: As you were trained, you were trained under the Spartan model, and that's what has kept the U.S. military so powerful (although nice equipment doesn't hurt either) throughout the decades. However, as these British sailors could not stand the torture they were put under, perhaps the U.K. (and, *non-sarcastic gasp*), and what if perhaps the U.S. Spartan model might be breaking down? I'm not trying to be sarcastic in all seriousness, I think the training of our soldiers is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of what makes our military, and what I think should be watched, is whether our military still holds true to the Spartan model, or whether our military is turning into the slave model. Spartan model: fight to win above fighting to live. The strongest method of holding together a victorious military. Slave model: being forced to fight in fear of being punished/killed by your own side (like all current Middle Eastern militaries): a weak method of holding a military together. Ironically if you know about the movie "300", the idea is pretty well displayed between the two models, although in reality the Spartans kept ranks more and jumped around less. thanks for challenging my thinking on this one, I'll look into it further when it comes up.

Answer 3

That only applies to warring countries, Iran and England are not at war specially with each other. Actually, name, rank, serial number, and date of birth no longer apply in case of war against terrorism, because terrorists do not abide by the Geneva Convention.

Answer 4

If the sailors were given orders to bring about their swift release through whatever means if they were ever captured then they acted correctly as that is just what happened. As to whether those orders should have been given was another matter.

If they were NOT given orders to do this and should have abided by name, rank and serial number then they should potentially face dishonorable discharge. Of course if there were mitigating circumstances (i.e. torture) then these should be taken into account.

Answer 5

Lol, earlier I asked the same thing, why did these guys just state their n/r/s# and then go on Tv, say somethign to show that they are fine, but not say Britain was wrong, Iran treats their captives better than the evil US, i love Iran, and then go home with GOODIE BAGS!!! I would have throw it in Ahmadenijahd's face!

Answer 6

they have plenty of explaining to do, where they are now.