You can justify the murders if you want. Just proves to me the kind of person you are.
We were scared shitless. We got orders to get ready and move out with about 20 minutes to prepare. I wrote a quick letter home to Grandpa and Mom. We were all pretty much ready to go battle wise already. Arms, ammo, gear and stuff, but mentally I hit a fucking wall. I got promoted when I got over there and was thrown into a TC position. Had my crew to look after now, not just myself. Sure we trained for the last three or four months together day in and day out, but it simply dosen't prepare you for it. Hell, we didn't know what the hell to expect. I was the oldest one on my tank at 22 years old. I started smoking right then and there again. Reached down and pulled a pack from my gunners stash.
Went over the line and didn't stop for 72 hours. Did we shot people? Yes. Did we enjoy it? No. You never get used to, or like, the smell burning flesh and sulfer, nor the thought of who it was you just killed.
After the first day, the Iraqi's were just streaming in. The prisoners were coming so fast, we just left them behind us after we disarmed them. We didn't have anyway of containing them or feeding them. We simply had to move on and let the rear support elements take care of them. Were in a M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank....it's not a troop transport, it's a fighting vehicle designed for one thing. Killing the enemy.
To those who think I'm some kind of war loving fanatic, I was there and did my job. I did things I wont talk about and saw things most of you would puke your guts out at seeing. It's a war and shit happens. I don't like it anymore then the next soldier or mother or father. It was my job. When my life and the lives of my crew are on the line, I do my job to the best of my ability. If that means killing the enemy before he care hit me, then so be it.
Murder, however, isn't in the play book. We never murdered any Iraqi prisoners in the first Gulf War nor did we mistreat any prisoners. Murder will only piss the troops off. If anything, this is only going to serve as a morale booster.
Instead of lowering your weapons, you become forceful and tell the fuckers to throw their guns aside, shove their heads into the sand and put their hands on their heads.....and prey to Allah that a bullet dosen't interfere with that last thought.