Hamdaniyah trial - a USMC fastrack CYA?

Same action, different name.

I've experienced this form of reactionary response while an active duty Marine at Camp Pendleton (1978-1980).

While still proud of my service in the Corps, I remember the dark moment in my tour when the Corps unceremoniously accused me of drug abuse, sent me to drug counseling, and laughed when I employed my Request Mast right for this false accusation. The evidence was obviously against the Corps, and in my favor, but it was never allowed to progress.

I suspect this is the same thing that's going on with the Hamdaniyah/Marine issue. The Marine Corps is trying to save face, instead of standing behind these Marines, and the Corpsman, they are willingly going to sacrifice them for the "good of the Corps."

But, it appears this is going to backfire. At the moment, the Corps is reactivating reservists due to low enlistment. The lack of the Corps to show support for it's people can only hurt it. It's willingness to rush into public condemnation of it's personnel can only be demoralizing - it was for me. I was considering re-enlistment prior to the false accusation, but following the dissapointment of the Request Mass debacle, I decided this was not the Marine Corps I thought it was.

My Marine Corps pride was tarnished. In Boot Camp, you are taught that Marines take care of Marines, and if you are wrongly accused, you can find absolution through Request Mast. It sounds great, but it doesn't work.

If these Marines did what they are being accused of, then where is their commanding officer. Why isn't he being keel-hauled for failure to control his men? Obviously he failed his command.

So, it appears the Marine Corps is playing political games, instead of rallying behind it's personnel. And this is a sad statement.

The Marine Corps hymn has a line that says: " First to fight for right and freedom, And to keep our honor clean." Is this public event an attempt to keep their "honor clean," or to find scapegoats for public appeasement?

For me, it's a matter of trust.