Wacko GI's.

This is coolbert:

Here is the exception to the rule that the military DOES NOT create a group of zombie/robotlike/killing machines.

An exception that, however, that seems to prove that the military DOES NOT condone or tolerate aberrant behavior on the part of the troops. Rather, the exception that seems to prove that the military punishes those troops that behave in an aberrant manner.

Not so long ago, it seems a group of U.S. Marines, sitting around their barracks at Camp Pendleton, CA., bored, and watching TV, saw this program that stimulated a lot of interest.

This TV program was part of a nature series. This episode the Marines in particular were watching was about wild horses living in the barren scrubland of the American west. Mustangs.

Herds of these mustangs DO exist in the American west. NOT in large, significant numbers, but still to be found in SOME places.

[Usually such desolate and barren land that is totally hostile to cattle. Land left to the horses as it is not worth a thing to ranchers.]

Seeing this nature program about the wild horses gave some of the Marines an idea. A bad idea!!

These Marines evidently were tired of taking target practice at paper targets. Punching holes in paper targets on the rifle range in a boring fashion, over and over.

"THIS IS NO FUN ANYMORE!!"

Some of you at this point may have probably already gotten a good idea of where this whole story is going.

These bored but highly trained Marines got the idea that hunting these horses could be a lot of fun.

Fun in several aspects.

Gives the Marine marksmen real, live, moving, targets to shoot at. Targets that are just NOT just paper. Targets that bleed, cry out [whinny] with pain, and die when shot!! Targets that are wary in the extreme. Targets that are difficult to approach. Targets that know HOW to detect and avoid danger. Targets that almost represent a wary HUMAN enemy that is avoiding the Marines.

[Normally, the wild horses live in herds of mares and foals, guarded by a lone alpha male stallion. A stallion that guards his harem of mares with a GREAT DEAL of energy. Constantly using all his senses to detect danger. And IS able to detect danger from a great distance and take protective measures. [herds the females in the opposite direction.]]

By now, most of you will have realized what DID happen to the wild horses.

A band of Marines, off duty, checked their rifles and ammo out of the arms room, piled into cars, and sallied forth on a wild horse hunting expedition.

These carloads of Marines drove into the scrubland, which was not that far from Camp Pendleton, located a herd of horses, stalked same, and proceeded to annihilate the horses with M-16 rifle fire!!!

I can surmise that those Marines involved got a "RUSH" from doing what they did!!

Somehow, the news media got wind of what happened to the wild horses. This incident became public. And some in the public became outraged at the slaughter of the horses. AND this was a violation of federal law. These horses are protected animals. You CANNOT molest them as these Marines did!!

The Marine Corps conducted an investigation, the culprits were identified, and subsequently given dishonorable discharges and cashiered from the Marines!!

Harsh punishment indeed!!

The military DOES want you to be able to shoot your rifle and kill, but ONLY when they want you to. NOT just when YOU want to!!

coolbert.