Official USMC Statement

[03Fox2/1]

The following may add some clarification to a very messy situation. Semper Fi, 03Fox2/1
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Ladies and Gentlemen,

The guidance below was developed by the Director of Public Affairs in coordination with the Staff Judge Advocate of the Marine Corps. Please contact Colonel Dave Lapan, Deputy Director, Marine Corps Public Affairs, if you have questions or need additional information.
V/r Colonel Jim Welsh USMC
Director, Marine Corps Staff

Guidance from the Director of Public Affairs and the Staff Judge Advocate of the Marine Corps regarding the Haditha Incident. Media interest in the November 2005 incidents in Haditha has grown in recent weeks as a result of Congressional scrutiny, public statements by members of Congress and leaks of information from anonymous sources. Reporters from several national news organizations- TV, radio and print - are aggressively soliciting information from all sources. Some have directly contacted the Commandant, ACMC, CJCS and others to comment or provide confirmation of details uncovered through various means.

A statement for Response to Query (copied below) was previously provided to Marine leaders, to include active duty and retired General Officers, for use when asked about the Haditha incident (as well as allegations of possible LOAC violations in Hamandiyah). This e-mail message is to reinforce the need to adhere to that statement in the face of what will be increased media pressure to comment on this incident, details of the investigation and possible outcomes (e.g. charges). The statement is designed to preserve the integrity of the investigative and legal processes. It is not in the interests of the Marine Corps to "further this story" by providing details or confirming information gathered from other - mostly unnamed - sources.

Marine Corps leaders and those with knowledge of the incident or the investigation must remain circumspect until the investigation is completed, decisions on future actions are made, and those results are announced to the public.

The Marine Corps is committed to determining what happened at Haditha. If allegations of wrongdoing are substantiated, those responsible will be held accountable. We will be as transparent as possible, under the law, demonstrating our resolve to handle this situation appropriately.

It is imperative that Marines of all ranks -- active duty, Reserve and retired -- refrain from commenting on any aspect of the case before the investigations are complete. Thereafter, should any disciplinary procedures result, it is imperative to preserve the independence and discretion given to decision-makers throughout the chain of command, including investigators, reviewing officials, commanders, court-martial convening authorities, military judges, and court members. All must actively avoid comments which appear to send signals "down the chain" that indicate desired or expected results. Once the investigations are complete, and decisions made by the appropriate officers, selected Marine Corps spokepersons and officials will release information to the public and respond to media queries.

Response to Query (RTQ) Statement

All Marines are trained in the Law of Armed Conflict and are expected to fully comply with its provisions. The Marine Corps takes allegations of wrong-doing by Marines very seriously and is committed to thoroughly investigating such allegations. The Marine Corps also prides itself on holding its members to the highest levels of accountability. If the allegations are substantiated, the Marine Corps will pursue appropriate legal and administrative actions against those responsible.

The investigations are on-going, therefore any comment at this time would be inappropriate and could undermine the investigatory and possible legal process. As soon as the facts are known and decisions on future actions are made, we will make that information available to the public to the fullest extent allowable.

 

[Matzos]

With this and the events that happened in Kabul the other day, it seems like the US military is going through a difficult time.

All I can say is, keep your backs straight, don't let your spirits drop and show pride in the uniform of the country you serve.
salute;

 

[Bombardier]

All Marines are trained in the Law of Armed Conflict and are expected to fully comply with its provisions. The Marine Corps takes allegations of wrong-doing by Marines very seriously and is committed to thoroughly investigating such allegations

If it is shown that the marines did commit the crimes alleged, then im sure the USMC will punish them accordingly.jud;

That said the punishment will be for the few involved and the good name of the USMC will not and should not be tarnished.

usmc;

 

[Drone_pilot]

That said the punishment will be for the few involved and the good name of the USMC will not and should not be tarnished.

Thats allways been the problem some left wing moron will make a song and dance out off it.

 

[Zofo]

Thats allways been the problem some left wing moron will make a song and dance out off it.

Not just left wingers mate!

 

[03Fox2/1]

Bombardier,
You are correct, if guilty, these men will be punished according to the UCMJ and rightfully so. If guilty, they are not representative of the U.S. Marine Corps, past or present. War crimes are inexcusable, but explanations can be offered to show how this event evolved and happened and hopefully can be avoided in the future.
However, what bothers me almost as much as the crimes and the implications, if substantiated, is the perception given to the world, especially our enemies in the Arab world and those here in America that hate the Bush administration, that our troops are out of control.
War crimes in my war, Vietnam, were definitely an anomaly, and yet to this day, many people make assumptions that crimes like My Lai were common, and no amount of denial or explanation can convince them otherwise.
Once the damage is done, by the few, the many are tainted, seemingly forever. To bring dishonor on the Corps is to bring dishonor on all Marines, past, present and future. People on this site are very understanding and perceptive about both combat and the difficulties of fighting a modern war, with rules of engagement, against a semi-terrorist guerilla organization with no regard for the Geneva Convention or any other semblance of lawful conduct. Our enemies are also well-versed in the art of manipulation of the media and propaganda to their captive audience, who are only too happy to believe any rumor with a grain of truth or not.
I hope and pray that these charges against these Marines in Haditha are unfounded, but if the crimes are substantiated, the real damage, in addition to the civilian victims, is to the brave and honorable men of both the USMC and other armed forces, trying to fight a righteous war against an unrighteous enemy. Semper Fi