Army to Launch Probe Into Tillman Death

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Army's decision to launch a criminal investigation into the death of Pat Tillman, a former professional football player who was shot by fellow soldiers in Afghanistan in 2004. Participants explore the implications of this investigation, the nature of friendly-fire incidents, and the motivations behind the scrutiny of Tillman's case compared to others.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the timing of the investigation, wondering why it is being initiated two years after Tillman's death.
  • Others suggest that Tillman's fame as a football player is a significant factor in the decision to investigate, implying that lesser-known individuals would not receive the same attention.
  • It is noted that every friendly-fire incident typically undergoes some form of investigation, although the nature and depth of these investigations can vary.
  • One participant shares personal experience from military service, indicating that investigations often lead to predetermined conclusions, depending on the circumstances of the incident.
  • Some express skepticism about the necessity of the investigation, suggesting it may be a waste of time and that the risks of friendly fire are well understood by soldiers.
  • There is a sentiment that political motivations may be influencing the investigation, with concerns about scapegoating within the military context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the motivations for the investigation and the nature of friendly-fire incidents. While some acknowledge that investigations are standard procedure, others contest the implications of this particular case and express differing views on its necessity.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability in how friendly-fire incidents are investigated and the potential influence of public and political interest in high-profile cases like Tillman's. There are unresolved questions about the adequacy and impartiality of military investigations in general.

scott1
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WASHINGTON -- The Army said Saturday it will launch a criminal investigation into the April 2004 death of Pat Tillman, the former professional football player who was shot to death by fellow soldiers in Afghanistan in what previous Army reviews had concluded was an accidental shooting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/04/AR2006030400860.html
It's been two years why they just starting to lanuch a crimnal investegation?
I don't watch football.But I'am kind of intersted to see what if it was propous what was the motive.
 
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scott1 said:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/04/AR2006030400860.html
It's been two years why they just starting to launch a crimnal investegation?
I don't watch football.But I'am kind of intersted to see what if it was propous what was the motive.

It's because he was famous as a football player that they are investigating at all. Some unknown fellow who was gunned downed by his buddies by accident would never get investrigated.
 
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Every "friendly-fire" incident gets investigated, of course, SA. The article says this is the fifth investigation of this incident. That may be more than other incidents get investigated (I don't know), but it is certainly false to claim that others don't get investigated at all.
 
Every "friendly-fire" incident gets investigated, of course, SA.

Russ, I used to be a weather officer at a TAC base. Occasionally the pilots would prang in. There was always an investgation, and the result was foregone: if the pilot survived the cause was "unknown mechanical failure", and if the pilot was killed it was "pilot error".

The required incident investigation form will be filed, of course, and if nobody takes up the case, that's where it ends.
 
Pat Tillman, what a "g".

I salute you Pat Tillman
 
russ_watters said:
Every "friendly-fire" incident gets investigated, of course, SA. The article says this is the fifth investigation of this incident. That may be more than other incidents get investigated (I don't know), but it is certainly false to claim that others don't get investigated at all.

They all get investigated, but not all of them get a criminal investigation.
 
A waste of time. It's unfortunate that it happened but that is the risk every soldier is aware of. I'm sure that all the men who survived that ordeal feel horribly about it.
 
selfAdjoint said:
Russ, I used to be a weather officer at a TAC base. Occasionally the pilots would prang in. There was always an investgation, and the result was foregone: if the pilot survived the cause was "unknown mechanical failure", and if the pilot was killed it was "pilot error".

The required incident investigation form will be filed, of course, and if nobody takes up the case, that's where it ends.
Plane crashes and friendly fire are two different things. In a plane crash, you don't always really want/need/care to know why - in a friendly fire incident, someone always does. A google finds information on dozens of separate incidents.
ComputerGeek said:
They all get investigated, but not all of them get a criminal investigation.
True.
 
deckart said:
A waste of time. It's unfortunate that it happened but that is the risk every soldier is aware of. I'm sure that all the men who survived that ordeal feel horribly about it.

I certainly hope it's a waste of time. That's the best possible outcome in my mind. Even though his statement isn't strictly correct factually, I agree with SA's sentiment on the matter. I don't think a criminal investigation would be happening for your average Joe Private who gets killed by friendly fire. I think Tillman was famous enough that politicians started poking their noses into it. Unfortunately, in those sorts of circumstances, it's all to common for the military to find a convenient scapegoat to pin it on.
 

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