Should the released British soldiers be Court Martialed?

Question

for cowardice? and not putting up a fight? Instead of being rewarded for their safe capture and quick release with millions of dollars in book deals.

Is this fair to those who fight to the death for the country?

Answer 1

For doing the same thing that you and I would do under the same circumstances. I hope they court marshall you. .

Answer 2

I don't think they should be court martialed.

I think the British Navy needs to rethink it's training, and it's tactics.

What was a single boat doing out there on its own anyway? Where was backup? Why weren't they adequately prepared for such a situation?

This is a mess that goes beyond one boat.

I'm not sure what they should have done differently, but getting a boat captured is a pretty common occurrence in war. I think the navy just didn't think they'd ever get captured, so didn't prepare them.

I don't think those soldiers are special in a good or bad way. I think they represent how most Western troops would react today.

Answer 3

I was a little disappointed that the sailors went along with their captors and read those propaganda statements on camera to be aired worldwide. Not exactly name, rank and serial number as in the US military. I cannot blame them for surrendering. They are in an inflatable boat surrounded by six
heavily armed Iranian boats. The Brits were outmanned and outgunned. I didn't know about any book deals, especially if they are still members of the British Navy.

Answer 4

Amen, Stony, Politically Wrong, and Oldtimer. Shadow Stalker, you're a fake. If you're trying to give the impression that you were ever involved in some sort of covert operations outfit, you missed by a mile. Those guys--the REAL Night Stalkers--are so modest and unassuming that only seeing their insignia prevents you from wondering if they're not all Boy Scouts. They don't need to brag; they KNOW what they're capable of--and those of us who know what their outfits do know it, too, and don't give them any guff.

Bob P11, the requirement to state only name, rank, and service number went out after Korea; thousands of our guys died hideous, gruesome, pointless deaths for refusing to say whether they were married, what their hometown was, or the name of their unit--information that would have been of no earthly use to their captors.

All you weenies who support a war you're not prepared to fight, how about piping down about the conduct of ANY serviceman in combat? You don't have a clue, and it shows to those of us who do.

ADDITION:
Many recent YA questions have concerned this topic. The following site displays the Code of Conduct and outlines its significance for POWs. Please have a look; it will help you to understand both what the Briish personnel were exposed to and how they responded, and what our servicemen face if captured and how they are expected to respond.

Other parts of the site give an excellent look at military pay and allowances, recruiting, basic training or boot camp, and many other facets of military life.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blcode.htm

Answer 5

No. They are considered heroes in Britain. British military law is very much different than US Military law.

The US people believe that the 15 were wrong with what they did.

The 15 did exactly what they were supposed to do...and that is simply stay alive! I am glad for them.

In the US , captive military have a code of honor: Name, Rank, and serial number.

The US would have retaliated big time if the captives were Americans.

I'll tell you one thing, Iran is really pushing most countries to the edge.

Answer 6

We don't know all the details of the incident that resulted in the capture and detained British sailors; so, I really don't believe it's fair to judge their actions.
I know that I trained with the British SAS and they're one of the finest, bravest combat units in the world. I have also trained and known Canadian paratroopers and say the same for them. I was in the 82nd Airborne.

Answer 7

"Sally H -- I can certainly see that you have a bit of anger bottled up inside.

So, you only accept death as a proof of valour? Sounds like the thinking of a fundamentalist Islamic or Christian suicide bombers.

Good riddance to the 15 of them; I will never read their stories. A shame to the Army as a whole."Good riddance to the 15 of them; I will never read their stories. A shame to the Army as a whole." I question the perversion you are venting here on Answers.
Well, you said that you're not ever going to read any stories about these UK fighters.in Iraq captured by Iran. Of course It

Answer 8

The people who died for their country are much bigger people than these. The army has gone downhill when they allow people to get money for their stories. Who cares what these 15 have to say? I would rather hear someone who actually fought in the wars words. These did nothing in combat and are cashing in, it shows the state of morality within the army itself.

Good riddance to the 15 of them; I will never read their stories. A shame to the Army as a whole.

Added: Rick V, its not anger. I have nothing against any servicemen or women who DO NOT sell their story to the papers or whoever. These however have decided that greed is worth more to them than the badge they wear. The information on what happened to them should be strictly confidential and only be given access to Military Personnel.

We have a go at all these people selling their stories in the paper and now these do it, people are overlooking the morality of it all.

By receiving money for their stories, they sold their soul. It seems to be how the Western world is starting to work. Sell your story to the paper and be set up for life. A disgrace to Britain and a disgrace to the future of this world.

Answer 9

If you look deep into Britain UCMJ, I bet it says that they do deserve to be Court Martial ed, but that would be a PR nightmare, the UK is twice as liberal as America. But, If that was to happen we'd have to look back at our POW's like PVT Lynch and investigate charges on them also

Answer 10

no they should not they have done nothing wrong and they have every right to sell their story the iranian army are very shroud when they capture a solder or a ship full of sailers the interigation they went trought was anought

Answer 11

You call them cowards but I bet you've never served your country have you, skippy?

Had they fought when the Iranians first attempted capture we would now be at war with Iran - a war we are absolutely not prepared to fight.