Army to Launch Probe Into Tillman Death

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SUMMARY

The Army has initiated a criminal investigation into the April 2004 death of Pat Tillman, a former NFL player, who was shot by fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. This marks the fifth investigation into the incident, which was previously deemed an accidental shooting. The discussion highlights concerns regarding the motivations behind the investigation, suggesting that Tillman's fame influenced the decision to pursue a criminal inquiry, which is not typical for other friendly-fire incidents. Participants express skepticism about the necessity and effectiveness of such investigations, noting that many friendly-fire cases do not receive similar scrutiny.

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  • Understanding of military protocols regarding friendly-fire incidents
  • Familiarity with the history of Pat Tillman and his significance
  • Knowledge of the investigative processes within the U.S. Army
  • Awareness of the implications of media coverage on military investigations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specifics of the Army's investigation protocols for friendly-fire incidents
  • Examine previous investigations into military deaths, focusing on notable cases
  • Analyze the impact of media attention on military accountability and investigations
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Military historians, journalists covering defense and military issues, and individuals interested in the intersection of celebrity and military accountability will benefit from this discussion.

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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