Veterans Fighting ISIS; What do you think of it, and do you consider it?

2014-12-28T15:53:32-05:00

What's your take on American military veterans who've been flying over seas on their own to join up with local militia groups to fight ISIS? Seems the most popular groups to hook up with are the PUK Kurds in Northern Iraq and the YPG in Syria, who's actively recruiting foreign fighters through their "Lions of Rojava". A North American group, calling itself the 1st North American Expeditionary Force has formed itself to provide advice and try and organize contacts for fighters who wish to head overseas to join the conflict.

There's a couple things to consider here.
1. The actual act of going to fight ISIS/ISIL/Those goat fuckers with the Kurds in the first place.
2. The motivation that is causing a significant number of vets to want to go in the first place, including myself. I think it's symptomatic of integration and transition problems post-military in the general sense but obviously can't comment outside myself.
3. Have you thought about "redeploying" yourself? Why?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 3:52 PM

2014-12-28T15:52:35-05:00

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member. Depending on circumstances . . . most likely illegal under our laws . . . and exceedingly risky in part because you are not protected by status of forces agreement . . . you could easily be charged with conspiracy to murder for merely advising . . . murder for killing terrorists . . . and worse for killing people you can't prove are terrorists. Frankly, if you are trained and keen to do this . . . join a recognized government military, intelligence organization, or private military force. Just be aware that you may not have adequate access and/or priority for government military air, artillery, transport, dustoff, medical, or logistics support. Indeed, seeking aid, assistance, and/or shelter from government military forces may be at the option of the local military commander constrained by high level government political and/or diplomatic concerns. Why not call your favorite three letter agency to see about programs that may appeal to you? Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SGT Richard Blue made Dec 28 at 2014 4:00 PM

2014-12-28T16:00:17-05:00

Personally, I feel that it should be illegal for Americans to fight in another country/group's conflict internationally or join a foreign military force. When these individuals come back to US soil it's a good chance they could have been indoctrinated and they could become a domestic threat at home. Even though some causes might seem good on the outside, allowing such action will cause trouble in the long run and is hard to police.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 4:31 PM

2014-12-28T16:31:20-05:00

I've got a family at home, and time on a contract with Uncle Sam yet, but it does sound quite appealing. If you ain't tied down, and you wanna do it...

It's not quite as high profile, but Westerners have gone to Burma to fight on the side of the Karen National Liberation Army for decades.

After Vietnam, there were a number of vets who went to Rhodesia to fight against the rebellion there.

There is definitely precedent for the current situation, and it isn't surprising to me to see interest in fighting in a conflict that our government walked away from, especially for those who already had committed a part of their lives fighting there.

Hope I don't ruffle any feathers too much with this post.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 5:27 PM

2014-12-28T17:27:48-05:00

Think about it all the time! I agree when you say it has some to do with transitioning out, that's how I found myself in the NG after getting out of active. If it wasn't for my service requirement and family I'd have joined the PUK.

Response by SMSgt Antony Laudicina made Jan 18 at 2015 11:41 AM

2015-01-18T11:41:03-05:00

It certainly has happened before;
American soldiers and airmen fought for the French before American involvement during WWI
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade fought in the Spanish Civil War, for the socialists.
American soldiers and airmen joined the fight between Italy and Ethiopia before the on set of WWII.
Airmen and soldiers joined both Axis and Allied armies before America entered WWII.
and so on through dozens of bush wars between the 1950 through today.
I can understand the desire. I think it does have something to do with problem reintegrating after a war. There are some people who are just attracted to combat. Some really believe in the cause.
I have considered it and had signed on to conduct training but that was through a private company with DOS approval. I don't think I would do it outside of that.

Response by SPC Phillip Spears made Feb 25 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-02-25T18:03:03-05:00

I am thinking about this as an actual option. I have plenty of experience in combat and at home that experience is looked at as a negative thing. Your viewed as an animal, and everythings a reminder of the all mighty dollar. Go work for $9 part time because noone knows who i really am, what i really did/do. Noone has been touched by my sacrifice.i've had ratfaced teens tell me i didnt protect their freedoms fighting in iraq...ungrateful fucks... But here are people that are getting slaughter by isis (the same people we fucking paided off) and i feel responsible. We let them go. This is my fight and im here with these people that know nothing of sacrifice or sufferage. And hell...THEY WANT my experience! They VALUE IT! They know im more valuable in a fight then ratfaced teen. As far as legal action, if i were to do this its purely out of my sense of diry. The fight lives on. If you want to throw me in gitmo for wanted to avenge my brothers who died for(lose use of 'for') these fools who are now just as or more fucked up then the people we protected THEM from? Then when the wars over, if im still in one piece, you can take your pound of flesh. Because everyone has....and really the only other reason to do it this way, is to fight without fucking politics. To defend the weak while congress gets its shit together. Of course theres riskes these people are leaving the safty net of being an american IN AMERICA! This...is just as true a sacrifice(dare i say more?) then joining the military(seeing as this is ANOTHER time they put others before themselves) anyhow...yeah

Response by SSG Peter Muse made May 29 at 2015 11:59 PM

2015-05-29T23:59:33-04:00

I wouldn't be for it. Not the soldier of fortune type I defend our country even if I had doubts about the mission. Is it our place? We have plenty of war going on right here at home and don't we owe our strength of character to our own domestic struggles? A matter for each to ponder I guess but either way I think the interview below is way out of order even for operational security of their org.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made May 31 at 2015 12:48 AM

2015-05-31T00:48:39-04:00

Join habitat for humanity, boys and girls club of America, peace corps, Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc. Opposion doesn't always have to be violent.