What's up With the American Sailors ?

Hmmm!

   Well , I don't follow the stuff on the news these days ( too busy on model commissions ) I will say this though . Articles two and three sums it up for this 24 year veteran of two services .

       The Navy back then was very adamant about this as was the Marine Corps .  T.B.

GMorrison

Goldhammer I disagree. DC would want the opposite, fighting their way out in a hail of fire which they could have. A couple of RG's in Boston Whalers?

No there's a weirdness. Why did they have passports? Why all in camo in camo boats out in the middle of the Gulf?  Much more to it than meets the eye. Almost like the operation was planned to go the way it did. Weird.

 

Supposedly on a training mission now, or were being temp. deployed up gulf......depending on the story you believe.......first I heard was deployed, now is training sortie.

But, IMO the climate in DC right now is appeasement, had it been back in '81 it would have been a firefight.

Most places your military ID is good enough, or used to be.  Nowadays it might be different, especially over in the mideast.  Now you virtually need a passport to go to Canada or Mexico and get back in.

Been out of the loop for a long time, but I sort of agree with Gmorrison; river boats in the Persian Gulf, no tow line, GPS guidance available, video of capture and days away from implementation of nuclear deal. Will probably never get the truth of the matter, just glad it didn't turn out to be a Mayaguez or Pueblo incident. The Code of Conduct, or the new Warriors Code is a broad umbrella to operate under, unfortunately it shifts according to the political winds of the moment.

As far as the camo boats and uniforms, that is standard for those guys- those are brown water sailors, riverine or small boat delivery unit types (sorry I don't recall their official designation- I last worked with them in '91). The passport thing is a little more unusual but not unheard of. I will say been there/done that, and leave it at that. Lets just say it points more to the SOF side of the house usually, but also could be completely separate and innocent. As far as the "how and why" they ended up in those waters, there is the $64,000 question... 

Goldhammer I disagree. DC would want the opposite, fighting their way out in a hail of fire which they could have. A couple of RG's in Boston Whalers?

No there's a weirdness. Why did they have passports? Why all in camo in camo boats out in the middle of the Gulf?  Much more to it than meets the eye. Almost like the operation was planned to go the way it did. Weird.

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

As I said before, we are not at war with Iran. But they were obviously detained at gunpoint and taken prisoner and to a location not of their own choosing. Article III and beyond is supposed to kick in at that point. See Article V regarding statements.

"I'm sorry, sir, I can't answer that question."

Hopefully they stay safe.

I can feel the same way Stik,I never served so  I don't know,but it seems strange.i would have thought there would be a protocol to follow,you know,name,rank,serial number.

This vet sees a Code of Conduct violation there, but that's just me. Technically we are not at war with Iran. But then again we have not been at peace either for over 35 years now. 

Considering they were in Iranian captivity for under 24 hours and show no obvious signs of abuse as is common for POWs who have made similar broadcast statements I am really wondering... And at the same time dismayed.

seeing how the Iranians had them captured, on their knees, facing away, hands on their heads, they were obviously not treated as sailors in distress needing assistance....

I dunno how they are trained, these days.

We'll know if the USA pays more money to Iran. 

Has not come out yet as to if one or both boats broke down when they drifted into Iranian waters.  If only one, why was not a tow rigged by the other boat?

In todays climate with Iran, I can see the hand of DC in the apology, to get them back soonest.

I honestly believe the Iranians forced them to apologize. There's no way I can see our sailors making excuses on their own.