Today, a soldier was sentenced to a year in jail, given a bad conduct discharge and busted to the rank of PVT for his roll in a "Mercy Killing" last year in Baghdad.

CNN ARTICLE

The only time I have actually read about a soldier concidering a mercy killing was in the book Foot Soldiers. I author, Blunt, came across a German soldier who was missing most of his face. The German begged Blunt to "shoot." Blunt said that he tried to shoot but couldn't saying it was up to God. When he passed the German a few minutes later, the German was dead. I can safely assume mercy killings happen quite a bit.

I guess that is my take on it. During combat, I have no problems shooting any enemy. After the bullets stop flying, I won't shoot someone as a mercy killing.

It is a matter of psychological state. Humans have the tendency to commit suicide and become self-destructive at certain times in their lives. If the situation for them is hopelessplus unbearable for them to live up to, then they wish for death for a quick end.

ok, when their suffering reaches in the state when they are inflammed and there is nothing to help, then a slug in the head would be a good idea

dont want to be a flamthrower ever

If i was a soldier i would never commit mercy killing just because the enemy might have family and freinds who will want to see the injured combatant after the whole ordeal is finished.

what if that soldier didnt want his family to seee him in such a gruesome condition?

Originally Posted by rotc boy

what if that soldier didnt want his family to seee him in such a gruesome condition?

If thats the case he could always commit suicide.
But serioulsy mercy killing is a tough question and I myself would never want to be in that type of situation where i have to choose.

Originally Posted by rotc boy

what if that soldier didnt want his family to seee him in such a gruesome condition?

Sometimes it takes people a long time to appreciate life after an event that makes them look hideous. A lot of people that have over come such things have always talked about when they almost lost all hope. Call me a dork, but read Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul. There be some stories in there about people who over came "unbearable" events.

IN any case, I believe I do not have the power to kill someone to end pain and suffering.

Soldiers are not doctors or lawyers (though doctors and lawyers can be soldiers). I don't think soldiers should be making decisions that belong in the pervue of doctors and lawyers. Your job as a soldier is clearly defined. Follow those definitions and you will do fine. Stray from those definitions and you do so at your peril.

*cue Full Metal Jacket*

'they ought to award you the Congressional Medal of... UGLY!'

The guy got what he deserved... he wasn't thinking... if you're truly ready to die then you'll take care of it yourself. If you think about it, your last moments in life... you'll want to enjoy it as long as you can. Now the guy may not have died, he might have died on his own, but like someone else said in another post, thats not up to the soldier to decide outside of combat. well Yay for morality questions... In the opinion of many this guy got what he asked for when he took it upon himself to play Mother Theresa and save this 'poor dieing soul' of another moments torture...

but what if you can't suicide yourself? if you're lying with an arm half off in paiun and might not die for hours, would you like to sit there and hope a chopper comes along or see a soldier walking by with his gun.

if it were me i'd hand Wounded a grenade and say "Pull the pin if you really want to die." and walk off not knowing.