Posted on Nov 23, 2014
SSG(P) Instructor
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So, you joined to kill right? You thought it was going to be the enemy, but the war is winding down. You find out that there is a position as member of the firing squad. You must be an expert rifleman (or woman) and you only kill convicted felons, (murderers, rapists, and pedophiles, acts of espionage and treason) would you, could you do it? If it was a one year tour and convicts were scheduled for the squad at least once per week.(Fridays) Some travel expected, uniform allowance for hardship duty. Would it compromise your morals to kill an American?
Posted in these groups: Death penalty logo Death Penalty
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Responses: 27
LTC Paul Heinlein
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I would not volunteer. Killing someone is not something a person should think lightly about doing.
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SSG(P) Instructor
SSG(P) (Join to see)
10 y
My opening statement was a pun on the idealistic outlook so many new troops have when they raise their right hand and take the oath. You are right Sir, killing a man or woman or child isn't something to be taken lightly. And one year of this would wear on a man.
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LTC Paul Heinlein
LTC Paul Heinlein
10 y
The Circumstances of SSG Logiudice question is different than volunteering to serve your country in the Military.

His question is volunteering to knowingly execute a person once a week for a year. Regardless of the crime they committed, executing someone is totally different than killing someone defending your life or someone else or in the process of completing a mission.
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PO2 Robert M.
PO2 Robert M.
8 y
The only reason I would go to do it if the convicted and or confessed to do any of the following:
1) killed a police/peace officer
2) raped/killed a human being ( be it a man, woman or child )
3) raped/killed a disabled or mentally diminished individual
4) traitors or spies
list is not ever closed off, some people's actions should not allow them clemency or a chance to live.
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
8 y
LTC Paul Heinlein - Agree. Pulling the trigger when rounds are coming at you is totally different than looking down the barrel at an unarmed person with a blindfold.
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SFC Mark Merino
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Edited 10 y ago
I didn't join to kill. I would not volunteer for this assignment. To me, there is a huge difference in going to war and killing the enemy and volunteering to kill someone. I don't need the extra mental baggage. When we were in Iraq, I asked my troops if they felt like they could hit a pedestrian, even a child, if I felt like we were being set up for an ambush and the enemy goal was to get us to stop in a kill zone. I had multiple drivers to select from. It was an appropriate question to ask seeing that it was a proven techniques that the enemy had chosen to employ. Decisions like that can really tear a part of your soul from you.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
10 y
My hats off to you on that one brother. That is like 24/7 combat for you people. I wouldn't last a shift.
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SSG Maurice P.
SSG Maurice P.
10 y
You would last many shifts my brother.........Being locked on a dorm with 96 life sentenced offenders is hard when your the only free person in there and you have to make sure they arent breaking any of the rules...i couldn't do my job had it not been for the Marine Corps............
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SSG(P) Instructor
SSG(P) (Join to see)
10 y
SF SSG Maurice P. I volunteer for a short stint as a 'chaser' in the Corps...I too wouldn't make a good CO...kudos to those that can. My brother worked in a Max Sec Prison in Canon City, CO...he got choked out by an inmate for taking away an extra locker...he lived but was on light duty for 6 months. You have one tough job.
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SSG Maurice P.
SSG Maurice P.
10 y
SSG LOGIUDICE a marine corps prisoner chaser that brought back a memory...i was 17 when i went thru mcrd san diego in 1969 i was in the chow hall line and somehow i got between an prisoner and his chaser i will never forget the rap on the head by his night stick though hehehehehehe
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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This would only be for military though as Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the AC and RC to do anything law enforcement wise unless they are state run like the NG.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act
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