I went into the Navy in 03. My circumstances were a bit different. I went in at 27, after selling a successful technology company. I felt that I had an obligation to do my part, as did my great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and numerous uncles and cousins did dating back to the Civil War. I got out in 08. I knew things were "not as advertised" quickly after entering A School just out of boot camp. After getting to my 1st command (KNMM), I asked my Chief what he would do if he were in my shoes (27 year old E3, just in the military, and contemplating a career) his reply, "I'd do my time and get the eff out." Big red flag, right? So, there were problems that were developing long before I arrived.
2006, Fallujah occured and there was the hanging of the Blackwater contractors from the bridge. The military response was to all but level Fallujah. The eyes of the world watched as we leveled that city. Abu Ghraib became a scandal in February of 2006, I believe, and then the 3rd attack on Fallujah from Sept. - Jan 2007. With the press descending on Pres. Bush, and his advisors' over the approach to the war in Iraq, they needed a facelift, and changed all of the ROE's, among many other things. Nobody was spared; SOC and the regular troops alike. I think 2006 and Fallujah 3 is a data point worth noting. Many atrocities were committed prior to 2006, but none of them were brought to light until 2006, or later. Certainly, nobody was charged publicly for anything that was committed until after 2006. The only noteworthy exception is Abu Ghraib.
Abu Ghraid is noteworthy and really poignant because it illustrates so well what is happening in this USCG case. Everyone from President Bush (through Rumsfeld's council) had signed off on what was occurring at Abu Ghraib. Rumsfeld had spoken publicly many times about doing whatever it took to obtain actionable intelligence from captured combatants and suspected terrorists. The CIA had a sign off on it, as did every other agency that was working in Iraq; the death that brought Abu Ghraib to light was committed by a CIA interrogator and a Blackwater contractor. Neither were charged, let alone interviewed. Nobody above the rank of Staff Sergeant did time in prison, or received a discharge. Some charges were dropped because "rights had failed to be read prior to an interview". I see everyone as equally responsible from top to bottom, but the OIC's had not only signed off, but encouraged this behavior until those photos were released. They were seen as not culpable in the eyes of their superiors and instead let some junior enlisted folks take the ride for their directives.
This may be an extreme example of what made me get out, but when things like this are going on at all levels, in every area of a command, and then swept under the rug, one is forced to either placate the system and play along, or decide that it's a broken system that cannot be repaired, and make the decision to move on. I have no regrets in making the decision that I made. The only thing that I REALLY miss is the free travel around the world. And the refueling missions that I was able to jump on. Other than that, I don't miss any of it.
Hope it answers your question.
