Post-Service: Would you hunt poachers in Africa?

Oh, hell no. You kidding? There are a lot of people that need killing, but I find it hard to get excited about some poor slob trying to make ends meet by offing animals. I understand that there are endangered species, but in that part of the world, people are the endangered species.

I would go! I'll start with them until I get to the ISIS!!

McMillion, you're conflating issues and trying to erect a straw man that I'm not interested in playing with.

Marine Corps snipers-- in fact, all US military sniper organizations-- consider equanimity of emotion to be nearly or as important as marksmanship skills. It is absolutely not a job for anyone who is either habitually violent, or quick to anger. That does not indicate, however, that snipers are emotionless pricks, either. Snipers, historically, are possessed of a complex and difficult-to-pigeonhole personality, so any insinuation that maybe I have some personal deficiency that leads me to defend my position is gonna fall flat for anyone who knows the type of professional that chooses, and is chosen for, sniper work.

Any suggestion that my religious convictions somehow cast a pall over this conversation (!?) Constitute the aforementioned straw man. I said, "thank God;" atheists say that as often as the elect. I feel just fine about the steer that died for my lunch, the turkey that died for my dinner, and the dead chicken that graciously gave his life to satisfy my late-night craving for a Chic-Fil-A sammich. Next September, Lord willing, I'm gonna head out into the woods and end about a half-dozen of Bambi's cousins (does, too; they're just as tasty as the boy deer). I'm not gonna argue that animals have souls, because it shouldn't even be a point of contention addressed in this thread. The point is that some human souls are so corrupted by greed and violence that, for the greater good, they simply need to be excised from the population. If you believe that we should be negotiating with ISIS, or al Queda, or Boko Haram, or the frikkin' Irish mob, that silliness is on you. You got the mojo, I will even buy you a ticket over there-- one way, since we should be able to get a deal on Express Shipping for whatever they decide to send back.

I'm not sure what to make of you, honestly. I have never actually had dealings with a real, live, conscientious objector before, but ya see something new every day. I haven't overstepped anything in my remarks. Your attitude and hubris do not comport with any SOC guys I know. Was there a war on when you enlisted? Was there an active counter-insurgency going on when you joined SF? Did you think it was some sort of really strict fitness club? I'm not gonna pass judgment, I'm just genuinely curious. But, your remarks were (and continue to be) pretty ignorant, and your assessment of other people clearly lacks any hint of objective evaluation or even attention to detail. You're making a lot of very bold dope adjustments without even seeming to know what your target looks like.

By all means, feel free to take the last word. Unless you have something of value to add to the topic at hand, I honestly see any reason to hijack the thread any longer. Peace out, yo.

Sgt, you are right. Marine snipers or any other branch qualified sniper has all the respect I can muster. I sat down not too terribly long ago to dinner and had several close conversations with a recently deceased sniper who they say made history, but I am sure he would be ashamed to even know someone with your lack of respect for basically everything. He was a good honest man who did a next to impossible job. What have you ever done, sit on you porch and shoot little birds with a pellet gun then brag how many you killed for eating the worm population. Just your words alone show your lack of respect and only grace yourself. I have no idea what you have done or accomplished, not much I would imagine, and to get a thumbs down for someone of your self proclaimed knowledge, experience and position is truly an honor. To take a human life without considering other options, or in defense of your own or another's is murder, but I am not now nor will ever be your judge or jury. From killing poachers to ISIS and other terrorist groups is really an unbelievable jump and cap it off with "peace out, yo", shame on you.

TSgt Hunter Logan - I agree with the rehabilitation of poachers to get them jobs to do other things than to poach wildlife, however - as the question is stated and the picture is pictured, I am against ANY form of taking of human life except in times of DECLARDE Warfare. Get more game wardens, enforce the national Military if necessary to help the game wardens, or have these Mercenaries help the National Militaries rehabilitate the poachers to do jobs other than poach, However; resorting to Killing another Human being, Is nothing short of Legal Murder in my book. Look, I’m an avid SCUBA Diver, and I don’t like the poaching of whales in international waters, or even Polar Bears in the Arctic regions, but I’m not about to go out and shoot them or Torpedo their boats to save the wildlife, I know it’s cruel & it’s a darn abomination, however I respect HUMAN Life, over animals and that’s what this article is about isn’t it……

I guess we shall have to agree to disagree on this subject... :-)

You're not getting it. It's not about hunting people, it's about self defense and education. Lots of these game rangers have been killed. She's giving them skills to defend themselves.

TSgt Hunter Logan. I agree, the job of game wardens (and others) are needed. I think too much press for her might get her more attention than she wants and consequently put a target on her back. A poacher can track a human as well as an animal.

This is a little like the drug war in that there is high demand for the products from the poached animals (even though it is illegal) so there is money in it. It is far easier to kill the poachers in Africa than change the culture in Asia (and elsewhere) so folks will not use the products. It is a sad state of affairs but I think much is driven by ignorance in some areas of the endangered status of some of these creatures.

"These beautiful creatures cannot protect themselves from humans." Oddly enough, elephants (rogue or otherwise) kill humans by the score annually. Poachers absolutely need to be stopped, but let's not think that they're killing something as cute and less dangerous than fuzzy bunnies.