The story of Michael Behenna and Mad Dog 5: “Self-defense” in war : SCOTUSblog

The story of Michael Behenna and Mad Dog 5: “Self-defense” in war : SCOTUSblog

From our Mother in Arms-Bev Perlson

Pray that SCOTUS finds in favor of this young EllTee who did what America asked him to do.

Behenna is in Kansas now, at the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth, waiting for the Court to announce whether it will review his case. In his petition for certiorari, Behenna’s lawyers argue that his case sets a dangerous precedent for other soldiers fighting insurgents, and they warn that the categorical curtailment of a right to self-defense in combat zones gives members of the armed forces less protection to respond to deadly threats than civilian police officers.

Our military are not police. They are soldiers. Their job is to protect America from our enemies. Lt Behenna killed an enemy combatant who was trying to kill him. He did his job; the job we asked him to do when he received his commission. If our soldiers cannot perform the duties we expect soldiers to perform without fear of prosecution, how can we expect them to protect us?