The SEAL team found themselves in a no-win situation. From an operational standpoint, mission security had been breached by a chance encounter with "civilians". The quandary then was moral: whether or not to risk mission security and continue with the mission by letting them go or to maintain mission security while ignoring their conscience. It is a quandary for anyone: can you kill an unarmed person in cold blood - even if it might mean your own life as a result.

It is a question that can only be answered when one is confronted with it, and the answer will come only after some pretty extreme soul-searching. It will be based on your morals, your beliefs, and will define your character forever.

It is easy to criticize or to lobby one way or the other. Much harder to have to make the decision. I give them credit for being in an untenable position and yet choosing to uphold the American principles of freedom even though it cost them their lives to do so.

Great. I'm glad it sounds useful. We will probably describe this in more detail later. We wanted to go ahead and get it out there though.

Lol! Want a cookie?

You have a point. I am reminded of an interlude in Eric Williams' classic "nonfiction novel", "The Wooden Horse". Two men escaping from a German prison camp during WWII, along with those who are assisting them, encounter one last bar to freedom: a German sentry who, if left alone, will lead to their capture.

Two sneak up on him, club and strangle him to death, and end up escaping successfully. Author Eric Williams received so many angry responses to the scene that in a revised version of the book, he removed it and claimed it was fictionalized.

cool...I wanted that...thanks santa

This is a new feature. Usually the post author or comment author receives an email notification of new comments that are pertinent to them. "Subscribe to Comments" is a way to get email notifications on all new comments (bucketed by time) on a post regardless of your own authorship.

You do still have to have the option turned on in settings http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/account/... and of course you have to have an email address setup on your account for this to work.

Temporary commenting issue. Should be resolved now.

I have been for years.

I can also recommend www.teamrubiconusa.org. Founded by a former Marine Scout/Sniper helping veterans suffering from PTSD and responding to disasters worldwide.

Thanks I'll look into it

If you're going to donate, please look at supporting www.OperationOneVoice.org.
They specifically take care of the families of wounded and fallen special operations forces. My production company (MAYDAYproductions.com) works directly with them. They have a 100% volunteer staff, giving them less than 2% admin costs so they really give away over 98% of what comes in. They are actively supported by USSOCOM Care Coalition.
-Tony May

Yeah once trust is lost, it almost never comes back.

I have two friends..Clay and Wayne. 30 and 33 months, respectively in inland POW camps Nam due to these expletive "rules". Harvey was a SEAL...same situation.
They sense when "wrongness" is about them. Their eyes change. Gibran calls the eyes; "The windows to the soul". Haunting

Yup.

Rules Of Engagement are only written by people who won't be doing the bleeding.

A fantastic movie.

yes, j