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| Afghanistan |
| General Mattis reveals new rules of engagement |
| 2017-10-04 |
| [Marine Times] WASHINGTON ‐ U.S. forces are no longer bound by requirements to be in contact with enemy forces in Afghanistan before opening fire, thanks to a change in rules of engagement orchestrated by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. Mattis, appearing on Capitol Hill Tuesday alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford told a pair of congressional hearings that the White House gave him a free hand to reconsider the rules of engagement and alter them to speed the battle against the Taliban if need be. Over the last several years, many top officials in Washington have advocated for a loosening of the rules of engagement that dictate how troops conduct combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Changes could allow the U.S. military to move more quickly to defeat terrorist organizations. Rules of engagement are classified, and military officials generally do not discuss them. However, there were signs that changes to those rules of engagement were coming. In his Aug. 21 speech announcing his Afghianstan strategy, President Donald Trump said he would "lift restrictions and expand authorities" for warfighters. "We will also expand authorities for American armed forces to target the terrorists and criminal networks that sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan," Trump said at the time. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #5 Won't have to get three JAGs. two political appointees, and the Ambassador to sign off first? Not to worry - there's a certain R'Burg commenter who posts chapter and verse of the UCMJ. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2017-10-04 08:53 |
| #4 So we'll be able to shoot back even if the enemy shoots but misses? |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2017-10-04 08:47 |
| #3 Won't have to get three JAGs. two political appointees, and the Ambassador to sign off first? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2017-10-04 08:32 |
| #2 /s/ SGT Bo Berglund |
| Posted by: Clem 2017-10-04 07:25 |
| #1 Does he mean compliance with Art.99 of the UCMJ - 899. ARTICLE 99. MISBEHAVIOR BEFORE THE ENEMY 10. Punitive Articles Any person subject to this chapter who before or in the presence of the enemy– (1) runs away; (2) shamefully abandons, surrenders, or delivers up any command, unit, place, or military property which it is his duty to defend; (3) through disobedience, neglect, or intentional misconduct endangers the safety of any such command, unit, place, or military property; (4) casts away his arms or ammunition; (5) is guilty of cowardly conduct; (6) quits his place of duty to plunder or pillage; (7) causes false alarms in any command, unit, or place under control of the armed forces; (8) willfully fails to do his utmost to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy any enemy troops, combatants, vessels, aircraft, or any other thing, which it is his duty so to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy; or (9) does not afford all practicable relief and assistance to any troops, combatants, vessels, or aircraft of the armed forces belonging to the United States or their allies when engaged in battle; shall be punished by death or such punishment as a court- martial may direct. ??? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2017-10-04 07:19 |