Shadowed Warriors - A Combat Ethics Presentation

Introducing Shadowed Warriors by Chaplain David Lefavor, D.Min, BCC
About 2.5 million members of the American Military deployed to Iraq and in Afghanistan Sadly, a very very small number of these troops made some tragic errors in judgment and violated of the rules of war, were indicted, convicted, and now are incarcerated in federal prison. They have become “shadowed warriors”, because their lives have been forever eclipsed by the shadow of shame of being court-martialed by the government that they once fought for. This book is the story of 70 Americans who were prosecuted for war crimes. When you look thoroughly and carefully at the evidence of their convictions, you can see some disturbing and tragic incidents. All of these men and women went to war with what they had, and something of what they had failed them, as they found themselves in the heat of battle and fog of war. Now they are Shadowed warriors, and labeled as pariah.
Forward by General Michael Diamond:
They answered their country’s call to duty, and call to arms. They all went to war with what they had. They had, of course, the good equipment, good training, good leadership, good physical stamina, their faith, certainly the support and appreciation of the United States of America. But in a moment of warfare, something went terribly wrong. Something of what they had, disastrously failed them. No battle plan is unblemished, and the fog of war is a relentless and powerful foe, not ever to be underestimated. Even more so, going to war is hazardous to warriors. We really do owe a great debt of appreciation to those who serve in the armed forces, those who go to war for us. There is no greater calling, and no grander HONOR than to serve our country in the military. Those that serve our country are members of a well-trained, competent organization that sustains the freedoms that we cherish today.
The men and women shown here in this combat ethics presentation did not join the military for infamy, nor did they choose to dishonor the uniform of our country. They simply made some tragic mistakes in the name of war, and many have paid a high price for their miscalculations, and bad judgments. There are many cases where the supervising leadership was lacking. There are instances where their leadership failed them altogether. “Shadowed warriors” is a discourse on the vulnerabilities of the modern American combatant. Those who go to war on behalf of our nation should not only know their enemy, but also have a thorough understanding of the laws of war and the rules of engagement. Leaders must command from the front, and conduct warfare decisively within the parameters of combat ethics. It is incumbent on leaders from the upper echelons to the front line to instill these guiding principles, policies, and precepts that should aid our defenders during their times of critical judgments. It is extremely tough to place ourselves in some of these critical situations to decide what one of us would do in similar circumstances.
“Shadowed Warriors” presents a very descriptive realization of what can happen and the eventual outcomes during the fog of war. We take many things for granted with respect to our service members and the burdens placed on them, especially in critical life and death situations for themselves and others. The actions or inactions of those depicted in “Shadowed Warriors” serves as a reminder to us for what can happen to those that lack the overall supervision and leadership required during wartimes. In every situation, our servicer members must remember that they represent our government and the people that comprise our great nation.
Michael J. Diamond, Major General
United States Army, Retired

Shadowed Warriors – A Combat Ethics Presentation