From Marine Corps Institute Order P1550.14D, The United States Marine- Essential Subjects (7 November 1984) (commonly best known as simply "Essential Subjects"); Chapter 1, Section IV:
"C. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF WAR
Discipline in combat is essential. Disobedience to the Law of War dishonors the nation, the Marine Corps, and the individual Marine; and, far from weakening the enemy's will to fight, it strengthens it. The following basic principles require the Marine's adherence in the accomplishment of any mission:
- Marines fight only enemy combatants.
- Marines do not harm enemies who surrender. Disarm them and turn them over to your superior.
- Marines do not kill or torture prisoners.
- Marines collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or foe.
- Marines do not attack medical personnel, facilities, or equipment.
- Marines destroy no more than the mission requires.
- Marines treat all civilians humanely.
- Marines do not steal. Marines respect private property and possessions.
- Marines should do their best to prevent violations of the Law of War. Report all violations of the Law of War to your superior.
Violations of these principles detract from the commander's ability to accomplish his mission, have an adverse impact on public opinion (both national and international), have on occasion served to prolong conflict by inciting an opponent to continue resistance, and in most cases constitute violations of the UCMJ.
These principles are consistent with the principles of war, principles of leadership, and tactical considerations. Violations of these principles disregard these basic military tenets and prejudice the good order and discipline essential to success in combat."
Section A talks about the purpose ("to diminish the evils of war" and "help bring peace". Section B talks about the background, noting the SECDEF has directed the Armed Forces to follow the Law of War. Section D talks about the sources of the Law of War from treaties and customs.
Section C is repeated (with very little change) in the Marine Battle Skills Training Handbook (commonly known as just the BST) Book 1 of January 1993.
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I note that the current Marine Corps Order 3300.4 03 LAW OF WAR PROGRAM (20Oct2003), the third bullet in the Law of War has been changed to "Marines do not torture or kill enemy prisoners of war or detainees."
As a Marine, I find that change incredibly unfortunate and dishonorable.
Still not sure how to respond to this as I'm not well versed in the material.
ReplyDeleteSO
Where's a new post, slacker? hmmm...
What you gotta a job or something?
gheesh.
Yes I know, I HAVE been slacking. I'll get to it soon. I know I can always count on you, Hope, to heckle me. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteBTw, re: the issue of this post, the issue is both a tough one, and a very, very simple one. Would I, as an individual free person, throttle someone to find out where my missing daughter is, or where the bomb is that's about to go off nearby? Yes. Can the state as an institution of the people morally and ethically do so? No.
Break it down to the Corps. Torture is inherently unbecoming a Marine. Were it in my power, I would strip the title Marine from any who did. It's not the last 8 years since 9/11 that define us, it's the last 200+ years, back to that fateful day in 1775, that it is the Marines' legacy and that defines its ethos. Marines are warriors of honor. They fight, they kill, and they sometimes die- but it is NOT a trait of Marines to torture.
I'm not gonna write about this anymore, and not much about politics anymore. Not fun. I'll be getting back to lighter and more personal stuff, fitness, taoism, family matters, etc. Should be more fun for everyone.
I don't think you should sy away from this type of post. I think that your comment here helped me understand your post MUCH better as I am not as familiar with the vernacular in the original post.
ReplyDeleteI like to learn, so do you and if you cut that out of your posts when there are more challenging topics well....that's not very warrior like...hehehehe...
Hear those buttons I'm pushing? I have a VERY good teacher. Maybe you know him?
Now get off your keester and get crackin'.
PS...I get the heckling lessons from the same dude, too. You're welcome.:)
ReplyDeleteYou are on the mark about Marines and torture. We sully the rich and honorable traditions of our Corps by such behavior no matter how tempted we may be at times. If our honor is to be kept clean as our hymn provides, we have to be able to stand tall morally in the tough times as well as the easy ones or else our values are not really values at all.
ReplyDeleteI am a retired Marine infantry officer combat veteran with 33 years' service.
Anonymous- thanks for your sentiments. Nice to hear similar thoughts from a real warhorse.
ReplyDeleteAnd Anonymous, sorry for the long delay in responding. Was considering abandoning the blog for a long time, and not sure how much I want to delve into political issues anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe torture issue was one I just HAD to address. Outsiders may not understand- and frankly I don't give a shit- but we Marines have always held ourselves to a higher standard, and a qualitatively Different standard. A lot of it might be internal, mental, but it's important for maintaining a long-term esprit de corps. We HAVE to have a code and we HAVE to uphold it. Otherwise, we'd be just soldiers! Ha.