Carson soldier faces charge of cowardice

[Blitz]

A soldier with Fort Carson’s 10th Special Forces Group has been charged with cowardice for allegedly refusing to do his duty in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Georg Pogany, 32, a Special Forces interrogator, is charged with showing “cowardly conduct as a result of fear, in that he refused to perform his duties,” according to his charge sheet.

If convicted in a court-martial, the soldier faces prison time and a dishonorable discharge. He was charged Oct. 14. His first court appearance is Nov. 7 at Fort Carson.

A cowardice charge is extremely rare, military law experts say. Army officials couldn’t say Wednesday the last time it had been filed.

Pogany said he is wrongly charged.

The soldier said he experienced a “panic attack” after seeing the mangled body of an Iraqi man and told his superior he was heading for a “nervous breakdown.”

more:
http://www.gazette.com/popupNews.php?id=626747

If the story is as the soldier presents it, it is VERY distressing. The government makes some very stupid decisions sometimes (they go after this guy but didn't go after John Mohammed (the sniper) after he tried to kill his fellow officers with a granade???). However, it is worth remembering that the article presents only one side of the story. I'd like to see a follow-up that gives some information on the government's case against this man.

[jiacinto]

1. Seems simple to me

He joined and now refuses to serve. That means he is violating orders.

[dolstein]

3. Agree 100%

Although I support the reinstatement of the draft, I suppose one benefit to having an all volunteer army is cases like this -- nobody forced this guy to join, so it's harder for people to sympathize with him.

[patdem]

4. Fine Carlos...I guess the people at Arthur Anderson can say the same thing

I joined to audit america, it's just that the reason I joined changed so vehemently that I was overwhelmed....but I had to stay on, cause I was a volunteer??

[kalian]

6. Armchair general, eh?

Same person that is having issues after having been mugged?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Did you even READ the article?

He DIDN'T refuse to serve, he WANTED to stay but couldn't serve and had a severe reaction. The psychologist on the case recommended rest and a return to duty. Instead of following through, they returned him to face charges.

The article makes it clear that the charge is RARE. If anything, I would GUESS that this IS becoming an issue in Iraq and they wanted to send a message to the rest of the troops about the treatment THEY will face if THEY acknowledge they are having problems.

I frankly think if the military treats what is OBVIOUSLY a case of PTSD like this we are going to see My Lai type incidents in Iraq in the near future.

[Endangered Specie]

2. I guess they don't charge

Reservists of rich background for going AWOL do they? (YOu know who im talkin about).

Well, although I cant blame 'em for not wanting to go to hell (120F in the shade), but thats what happens when you sign up in the military. I wouldn't be suprised if more refuse to go, I mean, the military tries to get recruits by showing them hip commercials and make recruiting video games (www.americasarmy.com), which dont show what really happens to you when you sign up.

[Military Brat]

5. Just a human reaction

Cowardice? I don't think so. I don't know what orders he refused to follow, but seeing a mangled body does disturb a lot of people. That's just part of being human.

He's a Special Forces Interrogator. I wonder what the significance of that is.

[seventhson]

7. The Cowards who should be prosecuted are in Washington...

the ones who started it: Bush. Kerry. Cheney. Gephardt. Clinton. Edwards. Rumsfeld.

Putting a man into an insane and criminal situation is cowardly. To prosecute him because he refuses to be a part of the crime is even more cowardly. To blame him for refusing to carry out criminal orders is even more cowardly still.

I thought republicans were banned here at DU.

The guys deserves a medal and an honorable discharge, sounds like to me.

(Remember Patton slapping the shell-shocked soldier in the movie - now THAT was cowardly)

[TahitiNut]

8. Old news

See http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1030-12.htm

Locking.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
TahitiNut - DU moderator