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There were decisive movements in the ongoing battle over the image of the war and its soldiers this week. For some, an image of heroic soldiers tells the right story. For others, images of soldiers’ bad behavior tells the real story. Brooke tallies the score.
The cover-up by Army leadership of the facts surrounding Pat TIllman's death is tragic and an example the new concept of information operations (actually mentioned in FM-003) writ large however I think it is unfair to to minimize Tillmans service by stating that he was not in combat with the Taliban and instead died as a result of friendly fire. If his unit was conducting a movement to contact to engage what they thought was enemy forces he WAS IN COMBAT. Brooke's phrasing creates the impression that he was not in combat and therefore brings into question the character of his death. Its ironic because in some ways it is as manipulative as Army leaders trying to create a "good news story" by covering up the cause of his death. As a veteran myself, most recently serving in GTMO I am very aware of the attempts by the military to craft a story and manipulate public opinion and it sickens me. That they lied to family memebers should result in criminal charges under the UCMJ for conduct unbecoming an officer not a simple reduction in rank with little if any long term impact. Friendly fire happens and it can be very difficult to prevent. The story should be why Leaders got off so easy and not leave the impression that Tillman was a non-combat death.
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