Foxnews - Army Deserter Seeking German Asylum 'Having Time of My Life'

[buckeye95]

All,

Foxnews " Army Deserter Seeking German Asylum 'Having Time of My Life' " http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484931,00.html

"Germany has been very good to Spec. André L. Shepherd since he deserted the U.S. Army.

The 31-year-old former mechanic of the 601st Aviation Support Battalion is enjoying perks that eluded him back home in Ohio: a bed, a bank account, a cell phone and friends.

Best of all from his standpoint, he isn't back in Iraq.

"I'm having the time of my life," says Shepherd, the only American bunking at a refugee-processing center in southern Germany.'

I have not had the privilege of serving in the military, but have the utmost respect for those that do. Reading this article just rubs me the wrong way on so many different levels. Not sure how you could be more of a selfish coward then boast of having the "time of your life" while your fellow soldiers are in harms way.

Unfortunately, even if Germany boots him, I'm sure France will welcome him with open arms.

Pete

[radhak]

I read this in the WSJ, and felt there was a tone of jubilation that felt out of place.

When he signed up, he knew he might need to go to war. After enjoying the 'job' while he could (ie, he was just training and not really delivering what he was supposed to), he now decamps and whoops it up...?

I have a 'pacifist' background but this galls even me !

[ragswl4]

Is "decamp" the new politically correct phrase for "desertion"? I would suspect that this happens more often than we hear. For some reason this one gets into the press. Maybe he'll be punished in the end but at least he's not watching someone's back in Iraq or Afghanistan and putting that person in further harm's way. Always a good side to every situation. Wouldn't want this guy backing me up.

[footprintsinconc]

not going to comment on anything other than the paragraph:

"The U.S. Army says 71 soldiers deserted from its European bases last year, a mere sliver of the roughly 3,500 soldiers who deserted world-wide over the past year. It says it doesn't actively pursue most deserters, who make up less than 1 percent of the enlisted force in any given year."

my comment: dont give them a reason to desert. dont modify their contracts without their fair say, dont extent their stays beyond an agreed time limit, give them the armor they needed for their hummer and whatever, dont send them or consequative tours without the needed breaks in between, offer them mental and health care needed rather than deserting them especially when they need the mental care or making it difficult or embarissing to get that care.... the list is long.

its a two way street in every agreement. if you cant and wont live up to your end, then dont expect others to live up to their end.

[rodrig02]

Interesting how you managed to work in anti- France dig in there. It's a wonder why we are so well liked abroad.

[sweensdv]

Interesting how you managed to work in anti- France dig in there. It's a wonder why we are so well liked abroad.

It's also interesting that your first post, after being a member for 7+ months, is that kind of a reply. That's the best your could come up with in all that time?

[cabinetman]

IMO, a deserter is a coward. I have little to absolutely no sympathy for them or the way the military handles them if caught. A court martial and brig time would be an easy out compared to his destiny set in motion by his fellow soldiers.
.

[BerniePA]

IMO, a deserter is a coward. I have little to absolutely no sympathy for them or the way the military handles them if caught. A court martial and brig time would be an easy out compared to his destiny set in motion by his fellow soldiers.
.

I always thought that desertion in time of war was death by firing squad, when did it become maybe five years in prison? Or was that maybe desertion under fire? Still should be a hellava lot more than maybe five years.