Should this soldier face a Court Martial ?

[BertiWooster]

Surely as a soldier you cant pick and choose your duties .
How can the army operate on this basis ?
No one forced him to join .

You know as a soldier that when you join , you may well be required to be involved in operations that you might not personally beleive in - if you dont accept that, then dont join in the first place

What's your opinion ?

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Briti sh-Soldier-Lance-Corporal-Joe-Glenton-Faces-Co urt-Martial-Refuses-To-Return-To-Afghanistan/A rticle/200908115352523

[Sqad]

If that newspaper report is factually correct and there are no medical reasons why he should not return, then if he refuses, then of course he must face a Court Martial.

The Army is not a organisation whereby the ranks discuss operational policies over a cup of coffee and then decide amongst themselves what has to be done. We have a democratically elected Government which decides Foreign Policy which is carried out by the Armed Forces.

The punishment for disobeying certain orders is Court Martial and he knew this when he enlisted.

I fail to see the problem here.

We

[daffy654]

I am confused as to why he joined the army in the first place if this is his attitude.
Yes, he should face a Court Martial.

[buildersmate]

Probably because he thought he'd get decent training to set himself on a career afterwards. He'd also see all manner of new places around the world on peace-keeping duties, and not have to worry at all about feeding or shelter for himself. Never occurred to him he might actually have to put his life on the line. Tough, pal.

[Gromit]

He joined in 2004, when the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were already in well established, so he must have had some idea of what was in store for him.

Since 2004, public opinion has drastically changed from being pro war to being against it. We were told, and so was this soldier, that we were on a peace keeping mission, and our role was one of rebuilding the country.

This has proven to be yet another lie. This soldier is seeing people die on the frontline for nothing. It must be difficult to put yourself in mortal danger when you know your death will be worthless.

That said, he must have known his job would be dangerous, and should have pursued a legal way of extracting himself from the army when he first had doubts about the mission.

[blackietwo]

A person who joins the forces, know what their job is.What it entails, and the risks that go with their chosen jobs. I work on the post, my risk is dogs on the streets

[BertiWooster]

It would be a different matter , if he was conscripted .

Why didn't he just resigned and seek a 'safe' job on civvy street ?

[daffy654]

The other members of his unit must have no confidence in him whatsoever.Could he really be relied upon to cover your back in a tight spot? He would probably already have turned and fled!
There is no place in the armed forces for people like this man.

[DKnewsES]

Why do you all want him punished? He should be allowed to resign and given help to find a new career. Obeying orders has nothing to do with it. The guy made a mistake and has admitted it. Let him get on with his life.

[Sqad]

Obeying orders has EVERYTHING to do with it....it is called discipline which is sadly lacking outside the Military.

So your answer would be to be able to resign when the going gets tough........yeahh! typical of UK today.

[tamborine]

He will be court martialled & imprisoned as a conscientious objector (white feather - coward). Harsh not only for him but his entire family. Much better had he bought himself out of service.

http://www.ppu.org.uk/learn/infodocs/cos/st_co _wwtwo.html

[DKnewsES]

He's entitled to the same rights as the rest of us. Why does everyone think discipline is the answer to everything.

It's 2009!!!

[Sqad]

They don't, it is all about INDISCIPLINE which is the problem.

[DKnewsES]

Why don't you have hime dragged through the streets and pelted with rotten fruit.

[Sqad]

That answer has just spoilt a reasoned opinion from you.
Just read what you have said.

[tamborine]

DKnewsES.....grow-up - commitments are just that! Other mens lives depend on his combat support.

There is a let out clause by 'buying yourself out' - every soldier is aware of that.

[Prescott]

Quite right Tamborine !

He has to be court-martialled for failing to obey a legitimate order.

If he didn't want to fight he shouldn't have joined up.

[DKnewsES]

You all want his family to suffer as well now!!! He's better off out of the army if he's fighting for you lot.