This first started with the charges against Ilario Pantano, then we had the Haditha Marines followed by the Pendleton 8. Granted we don’t know the outcome yet for the last two sets of Marines. But it wasn’t a far stretch to see what could happen to Marine responses as a result of the questionable charges.

From Captain’s Journal:
Via e-mails home prior to his death, the recently deceased Marine Captain Robert Secher talks about the result of a change in the Rules of Engagement where a Marine firing their weapon results in a police type investigation.

Anytime an American fires a weapon there has to be an investigation into why there was an escalation of force. That wouldn’t have stopped us from firing, but it prevents us from just firing indiscriminately. We have to have positively identified targets. That is why I am now a big fan of having the Iraqis with us. They can fire at whatever the hell they want, we call it the “Iraqi Death Blossom.” These guys receive one shot and the whole unit fires at everything in sight until the attached American unit gets them to control their fire. That’s fine with me. 

This is a chilling development and of grave concern for any Marine in Iraq.

Read the rest.