Posted on May 8, 2018
The Navy SEALs allegedly left a man behind in Afghanistan. Did they also try to block his Medal...
8.9K
96
36
21
21
0
I'm going to dro this here, then sit back and watch the mayhem
...and
....go!!
...and
....go!!
The Navy SEALs allegedly left a man behind in Afghanistan. Did they also try to block his Medal...
Posted from newsweek.comPosted in these groups: 
Medal of Honor
Special Forces
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
SECDEF
Medal of Honor Special Forces Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan SECDEF
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
17
17
0
Seems this week's news is about pulling down the SEAL "mystique" a notch. It's probably treading on thin ice for anyone outside of these communities to comment...but what the heck; I think every vet, and in particular...anyone who served in Afghanistan, has an opinion. The more years that go by, the more "stories" are going to come out-and the more "heroes" that are going to be called into question.
One of the worst things that's ever happened to the modern U.S. Military (in my opinion) has been focusing widespread publicity on these elite units. In the first place, it calls into question actions, decisions and outcomes that can only be considered at the furthest extremity of operations. Second, it leads to a "cult worship" of these operators that destroys any correct perspective on their capabilities, mission, and the challenges involved against those faced by more conventional forces. Finally, it undoubtedly focuses undue and damaging scrutiny on these elite units' records and reputations.
Statements such as , "leave no man behind" most likely reflect an ethos...not a literal standard that is to be met at all costs-even if that price is the loss of an entire team. Kinda the same way, "Honor, Courage and Commitment" reflect what we aspire to...rather than a blanket statement of how every Sailor in every command flawlessly executes on the deckplates; at least I know that I've seen (and likely done) my share of "Dishonor, Cowardice and Quitting" on the way to maturing as a service member. However, I believe it's clear to see that the preponderance of what "we" do is indeed honorable, courageous and committed...as it is very clear that the majority of these warriors are indeed "elite" in both standards and actions. I'd bet just about anything that whatever decisions were made on that mountaintop...they were based on years of training, experience, and the facts as the team leader understood them, as opposed to carelessness, recklessness or any shade of cowardice.
Regarding allegations of what happened in the aftermath; I would hope that if evidence does indeed provide more than a reasonable doubt that Chapman went down fighting alone, against overwhelming odds, sacrificing any hope of rescue to cover that helo...that no one involved would work to deny him the credit just to save their own reputations. If that's how it really went down, then once again...it's a shame that publicity, politics and the associated "muckraking" have painted this as choosing between denying the heroism of one man, or denigrating the heroic actions of others.
One of the worst things that's ever happened to the modern U.S. Military (in my opinion) has been focusing widespread publicity on these elite units. In the first place, it calls into question actions, decisions and outcomes that can only be considered at the furthest extremity of operations. Second, it leads to a "cult worship" of these operators that destroys any correct perspective on their capabilities, mission, and the challenges involved against those faced by more conventional forces. Finally, it undoubtedly focuses undue and damaging scrutiny on these elite units' records and reputations.
Statements such as , "leave no man behind" most likely reflect an ethos...not a literal standard that is to be met at all costs-even if that price is the loss of an entire team. Kinda the same way, "Honor, Courage and Commitment" reflect what we aspire to...rather than a blanket statement of how every Sailor in every command flawlessly executes on the deckplates; at least I know that I've seen (and likely done) my share of "Dishonor, Cowardice and Quitting" on the way to maturing as a service member. However, I believe it's clear to see that the preponderance of what "we" do is indeed honorable, courageous and committed...as it is very clear that the majority of these warriors are indeed "elite" in both standards and actions. I'd bet just about anything that whatever decisions were made on that mountaintop...they were based on years of training, experience, and the facts as the team leader understood them, as opposed to carelessness, recklessness or any shade of cowardice.
Regarding allegations of what happened in the aftermath; I would hope that if evidence does indeed provide more than a reasonable doubt that Chapman went down fighting alone, against overwhelming odds, sacrificing any hope of rescue to cover that helo...that no one involved would work to deny him the credit just to save their own reputations. If that's how it really went down, then once again...it's a shame that publicity, politics and the associated "muckraking" have painted this as choosing between denying the heroism of one man, or denigrating the heroic actions of others.
(17)
(0)
SPC Americo Garcia
Indeed a well just thought. Seems that those of us like me and others who never went to combat. Would not understand the decisions made in the heat of battle. Most of the training we do prepares us to try to apply those same basic principles. But when in a situation arises you try your damndest to do as you should. Any way he deserves it and is a true test of mental ability of our men and women serving. He or She have to live with it for the rest of their lives and often struggle with the decision made. So internally that person is fighting the same scenario yet maybe a civilian now. So as we think and rethink some of us who didn't go can say man I could of covered his or her ass. But reality is it could also had been us. No matter what a brave act us a brave act. That's my thought o. It as a bench watcher.
(0)
(0)
11
11
0
Crock of shit post. That was SEAL team six. They don't leave people behind intentionally. They genuinely thought he was dead or missing. The universe said 'Fuck you all, this one's mine', and that Airman acquitted himself in a manner that we should all aspire to. But conspiracy theories about the cowardice of SEAL team 6? No. Just no. Fog of war.
(11)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright - respectfully, please reread the bulk of your original post. “That was SEAL team six. They don't leave people behind intentionally. They genuinely thought he was dead or missing. The universe said 'Fuck you all, this one's mine', and that Airman acquitted himself in a manner that we should all aspire to. But conspiracy theories about the cowardice of SEAL team 6? No. Just no...”
Without knowing personally, that comes as a tad (possibly more) fanboy-ish. While you have met some real Boy Scout seals, I know I haven’t. SSG Melgar sure as shit did not.
Out of curiosity, what makes it biased, trying to make them look bad, in your opinion? Maybe it was a clown show, and they just plain look bad?
Without knowing personally, that comes as a tad (possibly more) fanboy-ish. While you have met some real Boy Scout seals, I know I haven’t. SSG Melgar sure as shit did not.
Out of curiosity, what makes it biased, trying to make them look bad, in your opinion? Maybe it was a clown show, and they just plain look bad?
(1)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
SGT (Join to see) - Your contention seems to be that all SEALs are murderous cowards. That suggests that there's a story behind your thinking. I doubt you'll tell it. I don't think I'll be able to change your mind and frankly, don't care. So I'll just say this: painting any group of humans with only a single brush will ALWAYS fail. There are SEALs (and SigInt, and infantry, and car salesmen) that you personally would follow into hell. There are mediocre ones. There are assholes. I'll exit this conversation now. I'll continue to think that SEALs are like any other group of humans, diverse in character, and you, evidently, won't. Neither of us is going to change the others' mind.
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SN Greg Wright - brother. I’m truly confused. I agree, you can’t paint groups with a single brush. Yet in your original post, YOU wrote, “That was SEAL team six. They don't leave people behind intentionally. They genuinely thought he was dead or missing. The universe said 'Fuck you all, this one's mine', and that Airman acquitted himself in a manner that we should all aspire to. But conspiracy theories about the cowardice of SEAL team 6? No. Just no...But conspiracy theories about the cowardice of SEAL team 6? No. Just no.”
I mean, I’m no Shakespeare, but I know heavy implications when I seem them. And you seem to be heavily implying (painting a group with a single brush, even) that Team 6 isn’t capable of awful shit.
By reminding you of SSG Melgar, and asking your opinion, I’m stating that “well yes, Team 6 is capable of murder. So maybe leaving someone behind isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.”
Further, I’m simply asking what you thought was biased about the article. I found it well written. And since I haven’t seen an all hands on deck rebuttal from the SEALs (they’ve been getting flaky with the media as of recently), the implication is that maybe the article is at the very least, partially accurate.
Thoughts?
I mean, I’m no Shakespeare, but I know heavy implications when I seem them. And you seem to be heavily implying (painting a group with a single brush, even) that Team 6 isn’t capable of awful shit.
By reminding you of SSG Melgar, and asking your opinion, I’m stating that “well yes, Team 6 is capable of murder. So maybe leaving someone behind isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.”
Further, I’m simply asking what you thought was biased about the article. I found it well written. And since I haven’t seen an all hands on deck rebuttal from the SEALs (they’ve been getting flaky with the media as of recently), the implication is that maybe the article is at the very least, partially accurate.
Thoughts?
(0)
(0)
SMSgt Thor Merich
SM Wright, I don’t believe anyone is calling the SEAL’s cowards. However, I do believe that mistakes were made during that fight. It’s war, shit happens. But what makes this situation worse is the Navy’s failure to acknowledge the (apparent) mistakes made.
(0)
(0)
9
9
0
Wow! A very long, but telling article. We may never know, but if he was alive it is severely messed up. Either way Chapman deserves the MoH.
(9)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google