***]

I don't get it. What's the problem? Is the army concerned that the marriages aren't legit, because the women really just want American visas or are spies or something? Or are American soldiers only allowed to have sex with women in the countries in which they're stationed, but not meaningful relationships? Or is it because the soldiers - *GASP* - converted to Islam, thus subtly defying the Bush administration's likely belief that Christianity is a "superior" religion and one that should conquer all others?

It doesn't make any sense. Can anyone explain what's going on?

Two Florida National Guard soldiers who married Iraqi women against their commander's wishes are being investigated for allegedly defying an order, their families said.


So, they are being investigated for defying an order not to marry.......


In his letter to Miller, Blackwell said the Army Inspector General's office has told him he cannot be punished for getting married, but that he could be disciplined for disobeying an order.

The above quote claims they are not being punished for getting married???:scratch

Talk about contradiction...........:rolleyes:

Thad Hill, had said he was worried the marriages might distract his troops from their mission and compromise their safety.

Uhhh, yeah. But getting married to a non-Iraqi or having a child born while deployed, or not getting adequate medical care or ... wouldn't distract you.

how STUPID can some people get?

Kay

Other soldiers, including his company commander, were supportive, but Hill and a sergeant major opposed the marriages, Blackwell wrote. He added that the sergeant major told him "Muslims and Christians just don't jive together."
The comments of this sergeant major are just creepy and ignorant. Aparantly they do "jive" on occaision, two of them got married. Or does this guy think that the only appropriate interaction between Muslims and Christians is when they are trying to kill eachother?

Or does this guy think that the only appropriate interaction between Muslims and Christians is when they are trying to kill eachother?

Probably.

I also saw that quote, and since it was what someone *said* another person said I chose to ignore it and hope for the best given that even considering that somone would actually think that much less say that makes me physically ill.

kay

Oh, and I just wanted to add:

What jerks to mess up what should be such a happy time in these men & women's lives! They have taken a horrible situation (being pulled from friends & family, being at war, etc...) and found love! We should all be rejoicing for them!

Kay

***

Ah yes... the great military catch all "disobeying a direct order". It's in the umbrella stand right next to "conduct unbecoming..."

But, God willing, they have built one heck of a bridge between cultures.

Great point! You think the US govt would be all over this as a "see, we're making friends" publicity stunt!

nak...first,I went to Pace Fla. highschool and I think I know that guy....small world.He is the same age as me and we would have graduated togethor. Now I have to go dig out my year book...I sure hope Pace isn;'t as ass backwards now as it was 10 yrs agp or they better move somewhere else!

This is just stupid... I don't know a better way to exprress myself. It is just another sign of how our military is led by jerks who have no clue.

I was just re-reading the article to my husband and he and I both thought this was odd
Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37
That has to be the oldest corporal I have ever heard of. I wonder what gives.

But Hilary... was he a corporal at the time??? I never said he was old for a newlywed! :D

National Guard promotion can move very sloooooowly, kama'aina mama. :)

I don't know much about Army, but I know in the Air National Guard, sometimes you have to wait for someone to die or leave in order to free up a spot on the next level!

I think you can join the Guard until you're 30 or 32 or something like that too.

Too bad the woman who wasn't supposed to 'jive' with her husband wasn't a Christian! I've always found it amusing that there have been Iraqi, Palestinian, Ethiopian, and Indian Christians FAR FAR longer than there have been American Christians! You'd never know it from the way some more obnoxious American denominations run their mouths though. I'm sure that the guy who said that automatically assumed what her religion was.

Thanks for the info Tigerchild. I guess I was equating it with the reserve component of the other branches where it is not uncommon for promotions to keep up with or outpace the active duty contingent. I think in most branches you can join up to 28 and after that only with a waiver. I had no idea the Air Guard was so different. 37 is pretty old to be an E4. The other guy is ten years younger and has one or two grades on him! It partly caught my attention because I wondered if he had enjoyed a linear progression or if he had lost rank at some point. (I know a guy who has made Sgt three seperate times. When he's a little drunk he sounds just a wee bit boastful about it. ;))