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Angel Henry John Kubler English 114A 22 September 2013 Shoot First Ask Questions Later Type of Security The government has this idea for solders when they shoot first and ask questions later. They cant rely on just asking questions in certain situations and so for the safety of everyone is to shoot and then ask the questions rather than getting shot at yourself when trying to obtain the information. In discussions about shoot first ask questions later, one controversial issue has been the government is getting away with killing. On the one hand, some argues the killings are unconstitutional. On the other hand, the killings contends its safety for the soldiers. However, my own view is the shoot first ask questions tactic as actually a decent method to have. The morning of July 12th 2007 two apache helicopters killed about a dozen men in New Baghdad who had appeared to be armed. Our soldiers in the air saw them and asked for permission to fire. The main reason they was so ready to attack was because ground troops were just attacked a few blocks away. So the soldiers in the air was going around looking out for them making sure they was safe. These soldiers used the shoot first ask questions later method because these guys had weapons on them in a war zone. Wartime actually justifies a shoot first ask questions later approach to security. During a war or a world disagreement people get hurt and they are prepared for the aftermath. In the novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi writes, Things started to degenerate. The army shot at them (18). Basically the people started to get out of hand and so the army started shooting for their protection, these people were getting out of hand and the army was letting them know. This part in the book is a great example why shoot first ask questions later is a great advice.

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Not only does it put people back into reality it also helps the army out when activities start to get out of control. Yes people might have gotten hurt but they knew what could happen just by going to that rally. Everyone that was getting shot at threw rocks at the army which that right there just makes it worst. In the book it was a time of rebellion an the army had to be on its tippy toes to make sure the Shah was safe, and these people were not making it easy. When people use the shoot then ask questions tactic they get the mean eye look by some people. These people just dont understand the pressure the soldiers are under it not like they want to shoot they have to if they want to be unharmed. There is a part in the book where there was a fire at the cinema and people are locked inside. The police had to forbid the people outside to try to rescue the people inside, people were getting mad and eventually the police had to attack. The point here is that sometimes you have to do everything in your power to control someone from doing something thoughtless even if it is good intentions. Its not like anyone died from that attack its just that they wasnt listening. Times like this people dont want to listen to the army or any type of police officer. Anybody that is not on their side is a threat to them and they let it be known when they dont listen to rules or commands. Thats why shoot first ask questions later is in reality useful its not just some idiotic idea it actually works when it is a rough situation. In the book it shows how the tactic is an excessive security for the Shah. The police and the army look like the bad people throughout the book because of their attacks on the people but its not like its all their fault. The people were agitating the police and army and all they are trying to do is stay safe. The shoot first ask questions later method is not meant to kill people but to warn them that they are doing too much and its dangerous to keep doing it, it is just a warning to the people to let them know and stop. There is a video that shows the shooting that had went on in New Baghdad. In the article Collateral Murder in Baghdad anything but by Bill Roggio says several of the men are clearly

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armed with assault rifles. Its not like the soldiers were shooting at innocent bystanders they were shooting at people that had guns and looked suspicious. Everyone was making it seem like these men didnt have no weapons on them but more than half of them had weapons and were dangerous. They didnt have time to ask any questions they had to make sure the troops on the ground had backup thats what they were doing. I dont think they made the wrong decision when they asked could they shoot at the targets its not like they just started shooting at these guys they got permission from their commander. I think they were just doing their job an all that matters at the end of the day. They were looking out for weird movement going on and they found it. Also reminding us that there was an attack that same day just a few blocks away which is why they really had to be aware of suspicious people. During a time of war every person you encounter is dangerous. In the initial brigade review it argues that immediate threat to our ground troops after observing an individual peering around a building preparing to fire an RPG at a friendly HMMWV positioned at the end of the block (8). These guys were getting ready to attack and the soldiers in the air had seen that and because of that they asked for permission and started to shoot at them. They didnt even let the guys get their guns ready, they were prepared to attack. In other words shoot first ask questions later most likely save the ground troops their life. They would have had no idea what was coming at them. Soldiers were standing their ground and making a statement letting the guys know that their ground troops is not alone. Wartime does more than justify the shoot first ask questions later it gives soldiers a little more security. Every time that method it use there is some type of justice that has been accomplished. People might not see that now but they will definitely see it in the future, see that the method used save some soldiers lives and I bet those soldiers are grateful. In todays society everyone has a choice and the two reporters made their choice when they were with the insurgents. Nobody force those reporters to tag along with those men. In the

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Finale Brigade Review it acknowledges that Not one of the soldiers recalled seeing and indications of either media/press badges or photographers vest to indicate that noncombatants were on scene (3). Even if there was reporters with the insurgents its not like the soldiers would have known that. The reporters had no type of information on them to let that be known. It is sad that they did have to die but I think thats all on them they knew they were with insurgents and they knew they was in an area where there was some type of war going on. Im not trying to sound cruel at all but they wanted information and they put their life on the line for it. Shoot now ask questions later is used towards the enemy and they were with the enemy. Yes they did have cameras on them and not weapons but the soldiers couldnt tell from the little scree they was looking through. Since they were with people with guns they we considered dangerous as well. When I was watching the video it had quotes an a few explanations getting me ready for what I was about to watch. The video said that Although some of the men appear to have been armed, the behavior of nearly everyone was relaxed. I do agree with what the video is saying because it does look like people are just calmly walking not doing anything wrong, but they still looked somewhat sneaky with weapons. Of course they looked relaxed they were getting ready to attack some ground troops. Our soldiers were not in the wrong when they asked if they could attack the men that looked suspicious. It is sad when innocent people get hurt when using to shoot first ask questions later method but I think if we didnt use it sometimes there would be a lot more people dead. It gives soldiers that security they need when they are out on the ground or in the air. Its a type of protection that all soldiers need to know they can have and use in an emergency. It is not crazy at all that there is the shoot first and ask questions later method I would use that if I was in a dangerous situation or if I felt threatened. You dont always kill the person you just shoot them somewhere so that they will be somewhat distracted.

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Works Cited Findings and Recommendations Pursuant to AR 15-6 Investigation into Conditions Surrounding the Possible Death of Two Reuters Reporters during an Engagement on 12 July 2007 by Crazyhorse 18 and 19 in the New Baghdad District of Baghdad, Iraq. Cited by Nathan Hodge, U.S. Military Releases Redacted Records on 2007 Apache Attack, Questions Linger. Wired.com. Conde Nast, 7 Apr. 2010. Web. 22 September 2013. Investigation into Civilian Casualties resulting from an Engagement on 12 July 2007 in the New Baghdad District of Baghdad, Iraq; Report of Investigation, Investigating Officer, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. PrintFu.org. (i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn). United States Central Command, US Dept. of the Army, 6 Apr. 2010. Web. 22 September 2013. Roggio, Bill. Collateral Murder in Baghdad Anything But. WeeklyStandard.com. The Weekly Standard Mag., 5 Apr. 2010. Web. 22 September 2013. Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York: Pantheon, 2003. Print.