Tillman death prompts new notification procedures to prevent problems like misinformation

[babylonsister]

Next-of-kin notification policies to change
Tillman death prompts new procedures to prevent problems like misinformation
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=47016

By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, June 29, 2007

WASHINGTON — New procedures for next-of-kin notifications will prevent problems like the misinformation surrounding Cpl. Pat Tillman’s death, military officials told lawmakers on Wednesday.

But several members of the House Armed Services Committee said they are still skeptical the Defense Department has done enough to ensure that families of troops killed overseas will receive quick and accurate information.

Tillman, an Army Ranger and former professional football player, was killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan in April 2004. Army officials initially told family and media he was killed fighting Taliban attackers, but months later revised that story.

An Army investigation completed earlier this year found no criminal wrongdoing in Tillman’s death but suggested several soldiers could be disciplined for relaying inaccurate and misleading stories about his death to cover up the incident.

All four services have policies requiring officials to notify families of an investigation into the death of their military relative. Brig. Gen. Reuben Jones, adjutant general of the Army, said families are now notified specifically about investigations into friendly fire incidents, even if the details have not been confirmed.

“Any information that is not conveyed timely or accurately to the family is a regrettable incident,” he said.

more...

[BOSSHOG]

1. There is no need for "new procedures"

for Christ's sake we've been doing this for centuries. Its not that difficult. Do it right the first time and we won't have to rewrite the fucking book and call it a "solution."

[Kagemusha]

2. Yeah. The procedures are easy. Just report the truth.

But that's too hard somehow.

[Sequoia]

3. The Exploitation of Pat Tillman

'Cease fire. Friendlies! I am Pat fucking Tillman, dammit," shouted former pro football player turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman as a hail of bullets pierced the darkening Afghani sky. "Cease fire! Friendlies! I am Pat fucking Tillman! I am Pat fucking Tillman!"

On patrol in eastern Afghanistan at dusk on April 22, 2004, Tillman and his men hit the dirt, trying to escape swarms of artillery fire coming from the valley below. Tillman detonated a smoke bomb, hoping to signal to his comrades that they were shooting at U.S. troops, known in military parlance as "friendlies." The firing stopped.

After a moment, Tillman, probably assuming he'd been recognized, stood up. Another barrage of bullets rocketed across the dusty canyon. Three of those bullets shattered Tillman's skull, ending his life. Other bullets hit his body, with some of the shrapnel becoming embedded in his body armor. An Afghani soldier allied with U.S. forces was also killed, and two other soldiers were injured.

Tillman, lauded by military and government leaders for giving up a multimillion-dollar pro football contract to serve his country, was America's best-known soldier. A California native, Tillman became the Pac-10 defensive player of the year at Arizona State University and then went pro with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals

http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/06.27.07/pat-tillman-0726.html