Army Reservists Who Refused Orders Might Be Punished

According to this CNN article the Army Reservists who refused orders to drive fuel trucks with (allegedly?) contaminated fuel from South Iraq to a base north of Baghdad will likely receive punishment.

The 13th Corps Support Command CO, Brig. General James E. Chambers, ordered two investigations:  one which examined the soldiers refusal of their orders, and the other to determine if the vehicles the soldiers were supposed to drive were fit for duty or not.

According to the article, 18 of the 24 soldiers were held for "nearly two days after refusing orders to drive a fuel convoy from Tallil Air Base...to a base north of Baghdad."  

Most of the accused face administrative actions (fines, reductions in rank, et. al.) but "officials said it was possible that some could face courts-martial."

Nothing is mentioned in the story about the investigation regarding the trucks or the fuel that was apparently in them, although the article does say at the end: "Still, it's no secret that convoy duty is one of the most perilous jobs in Iraq."

Personally, as a Veteran, I think it's always perilous ground to refuse an order - especially if that order is refused on the grounds that the mission is "unsafe."  Other Marines and soldiers are being ordered into combat every day, and no doubt they don't all have equipment in prime working order.  

Nevertheless, what appears to be almost an entire unit refusing its orders is significant, and if these men and women are convicted under the UCMJ and punished, it should receive play in the media.  I think there should be an analysis about the quality of protection afforded our troops, and there should be an analysis about the psychological makeup of American reservists forced to fight in this war without adequate support.

I suppose I won't hold my breath, though.