The Story of Pat Tillman

By Wednesday (Thursday at the latest), we will discussed the story of Pat Tillman. Here was a man who voluntarily gave up a lucrative football career to join the army because of a profound sense of duty and patriotism. He and his family understood the inherent risk of any war and accepted that death was a real possibility. However, it may be difficult to accept his death was the result of "friendly fire." The government publicly declared Tillman a hero and made it appear he was killed by enemy action. Should the U.S. government and military have kept the details of his death a secret to his family? Is this a violation of the rules of war? Or is this simply a violation of ethics? Please post a response by Friday, March 1 FOR BONUS POINTS.

War, part 3

Okay, there are still several things to consider. Comment on one of the following 2 ideas - either discuss your thoughts on the so-called "piss-tube moments" that Brendan O'Byrne talked about with Money or the humor soldiers use as a defense mechanism. Do these moments help the soldiers while in dangerous situations? Does the humor help give them better perspective on their predicaments? Finally, everyone should comment on the thought about what these soldiers do when they get home. What type of challenges do they face? How will they deal with those who did not make it back home alive? How will they deal without the constant adrenaline rushes? Let's make this one due on Wednesday, March 6.

War, part 2

There are several key ideas in this section of the excerpt (10-21). One of them is the idea of what makes soldiers react the way they do to insure the survival of the unit. For example, Junger writes that Sal Giunta had about 15 seconds to assess the ambush in which they were trapped and react. His heroic actions saved his fellow soldier and earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor. If the army can determine what makes Sal Giunta react the way he does, there would be many more positive outcomes for the U.S. Army. What do you believe is the key attribute for a soldier? Is it fearlessness? intelligence? instinct? or something else? Secondly, think about the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) encountered by Junger. Suddenly, the idea of a good soldier goes out the window. Death is a random event when your truck happens to go over the spot of an IED when a Taliban fighter touches the 2 key wires together. Comment on the psychological toll this weapon must take on modern professional soldiers with the best equipment in the world. That's a lot to consider!! Please respond by Monday, March 4.

War, part 1

Junger describes the civilian casualties of operations in the Korengal in the first excerpt. Are the casualties justified? Be sure to connect your ideas to the Just War theory. Please post by Wednesday, February 27.

A Rumor of War

Lieutenant Philip Caputo blames the Vietnam War for making his "thoughts and feelings...irretrievably jumbled..." Undoubtedly, fighting any war is extraordinarily difficult and unimaginable for those who have never experienced it. Despite all the training, the realities of war can create unbelievable stress. However, does this excuse him of the awful orders and events that resulted in the deaths of two innocent civilians? Should the just war ideas concerning discrimination between combatants and noncombatants apply in this situation? Should Lt. Caputo have been punished more severely for his terrible decision? Please post by Wednesday, February 6.