If you witnessed an illegal act during combat would you report it to your chain of command?

Question

If you witnessed an illegal act during combat would you report it to your chain of command?

Answer 1

mind your business

Answer 2

I would.  We are taught to obey the laws in the military and to keep this to myself makes it seem that I condone it,  If it happened to someone I cared about, I'd want it reported and the people punished. We can't pick and chose the laws we follow.  

Answer 3

I think that is something you would definately have to use dicreation with. You have to remeber that you are in or will be in a combat environment with these people and you do not want to get on certain peoples bad sides and definately want them on your side.  WIth that said, I think you need to look at the situation and decide based on your morals and what you know to be right. I would look also at how much trouble you could get in if you did not report it.  Could you possibly face a article 15? demotion?  Its hard to say without knowing what exactly the illegal act is.

Good luck to you with your decision, sounds like you've got a hard choice ahead of you.  

Answer 4

Like what, smoking in a no smoking zone?

I'd use my common sense.  As a Senior NCO the first thing I'd do is deal with it myself.  If I could solve the problem with a verbal warning, I would, and that would be the end of it.

Obviously, if it was a major crime like murder, rape, ect... I'd bring the guy up on charges ASAP.

Answer 5

If I got dropped into that right now, then yes, I would. But if i had been in the military a few years and had been serving in combat...y'never know, perhaps I'd be conditioned to ignore certain things. And if my commanding officer told me to keep my mouth shut, I'd most likely keep it shut.  

Answer 6

strictly depends on your integrity as a man

Answer 7

well if one of the soldiers was killing,raping, or hurting captives or civilians then definently but if it was something minor i would just talk to them about it and tell them not to do it again or i will report them

Answer 8

Depends if you're honest or not.

Answer 9

Depends. I probably would under most circumstances. theres no reason not too. I agree with what Veni, Vidi, Vici said, where if you see someone murdering a civilian, that needs to be reported, but sometimes you need to shoot surrendering soldiers, because there's nothing to do with them

Answer 10

Absolutely.  

Answer 11

It all depends. Can't answer that one without specifics.  

Answer 12

It depends what it is, if it was murder of a civilian or assaulting a civilian, firing upon a surrendering soldier then, yes, I would.

Answer 13

It would depend on what it was, if it was something minor I would not.  

Answer 14

during combat, no. you have to make split second decisions and sometimes you choose the wrong ones. Its thier life or yours.

Answer 15

probably not

Answer 16

no...  as long as the act did not involve women or children, then any respectable solder, sailor, or marine would kick the **** out of you

Answer 17

all is fair in love and war

except the hurting of innocent people

especially women, children, and the elderly

Answer 18

it depends what it was... but most likely if it didnt concern me no. if someone was beating up an iraqi to get some intel out of him... i wouldnt report it.  if someone walked through the street and randomly shot a civilian.. id report it.

Answer 19

Absolutely. Though, it is a rare occurrence.