A few diaries have been made exposing a controversy over Marines passing out coins in Fallujah inscribed with a verse from a Christian bible. Having spent six years in the Marine Corps reserves, and now over four years active duty US Army I KNEW this was not sanctioned by the US military. So I decided to look further and stay on top of the story. At first I suspected insurgents were gaining sophistication and implementing PSYOPS (psychological operations).
As expected there were some who automatically went into reaction mode, believing this is a larger scale, secret operation to convert the Muslim world to Christianity. PLEASE give those of us more serve more credit than that. We do have a brain, save the few idiots that can be found in any large organization.
http://afp.google.com/...
US marine in hot water over Christian coins in Iraq
48 minutes ago
BAGHDAD (AFP) — The US military said on Friday it was probing complaints that marines handed out coins inscribed with a verse from the Bible to a group of Sunni Muslims in Iraq, sparking outrage among local residents.
It said a marine involved in the incident in the former flashpoint city of Fallujah west of Baghdad was removed from his duties on Thursday.
Good.
"A coalition force service member was removed from his duties Thursday amid concerns from Fallujah's citizens regarding reports of inappropriate conduct.
"We can confirm that it is a marine who has been removed from his duties," the US military statement said.
The Marine that was involved will probably receive Non-Judicial Punishment; 45 days barracks restriction (like house arrest), 45 days extra duty, rank reduction and forfeiture of one month's pay. This is only a guess on my part.
It stressed that handing out Christian coins was the action of a single soldier and that there was no collective drive to influence the local Muslim population.
The military quoted its own bible for troops deployed in Iraq, saying that in the general order, sub-paragraph two of prohibitions "proselytizing of any religion, faith or practice" was included.
"Regulations prohibit members of the coalition force from proselytizing any religion, faith or practices," US spokesman Colonel Bill Buckner said. "Our troops are trained on those guidelines before they deploy."
Through military chaplains the military makes available religion publications of various faiths, including Christian based religions, Judaism, Muslim, etc. I can personally attest to the last line, receiving cultural training. It is already known that you do NOT get into debates about politics or religion (especially religion) with the locals.
The general order to coalition forces also warns them that some local laws and customs prohibit or restrict certain activities which are generally permissible in western societies.
"Restrictions upon these activities are essential to preserving US and host nation relations and combined operations of US and friendly forces," according to the order.
Now for this next gem.
The coin incident occurred less than two weeks after a US soldier was removed from Iraq for using a Koran as target practice at a firing range near Baghdad and writing graffiti in the Muslim holy book.
The incident sparked outrage from the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and prompted an apology from US President George W. Bush. It also triggered protests that left several people dead in Afghanistan.
Unfortunately it only takes a couple idiots to really fuck things up and even cost lives. Iraq is extremely volatile, like a room filled with gas fumes. All it takes is one little spark for the whole place to blow up. Whoever this guy is needs a serious boot up his ass.