'We Were Just Pawns:' Lynndie England

US military firearms with coded messages raise issue of 'crusade'

(NEWSER) - A rifle scope commonly used by the US military is inscribed with references to the Bible. The scopes, made by Trijicon of Michigan, bear codes that refer to verses glorifying God and Jesus—even though the military, leery of being accused of waging a Crusade, bans proselytizing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The scopes are "probably the best example of violation of the separation of church and state in this country," said an activist who promotes separation of church and state. More»

Order applies to both women and men

(NEWSER) - The general in command of American forces in northern Iraq has instituted an order making court-martial a possible punishment for becoming pregnant—or for impregnating a service member or civilian employee. The policy, which covers both single and married personnel, has not been enforced; it applies only to situations in which redeployment is necessary because of the pregnancy.It is "applicable to all United States military personnel, and to all civilians, serving with, employed by, or accompanying" forces serving under Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo III. More»

Army sergeant perished in Afghanistan saving an injured comrade

(NEWSER) - Army Sgt. Jared Monti, who died in 2006 while trying to save the life of a wounded comrade in Afghanistan, was awarded the Medal of Honor this afternoon at the White House. "Jared Monti saw the danger before him and went out to meet it," said President Obama. He presented the citation to Monti's parents, Paul and Janet, describing their son as "one in a million," the Boston Globe reports. More»

Ashamed private later shot himself in portable toilet

(NEWSER) - Four US Army soldiers in Iraq have been charged with cruelty and maltreatment for hazing a private who later killed himself, MSNBC reports. The NCOs allegedly hazed 19-year-old Keiffer P. Wilhelm with excessive physical exercise while showering him with verbal abuse. Wilhelm, self-conscious about his weight, shot himself in a portable toilet about 2 weeks ago. The soldiers face between 8 and 25 years in prison. More»

(AP) - A lecture by Lynndie England—the woman who became the public face of the Abu Ghraib scandal—had to be canceled at the Library of Congress yesterday after multiple threats led to concerns about staff safety. The former Army reservist had been scheduled to discuss her biography as part of a veterans forum. More»