WELL SAID. If there is any complaint that I get the most from my friend on Hansen it’s that one. He hates being treated like a child all the time. The only thing he could talk about for months was how good things were going to be once he picked up corporal. He JUST got officially promoted at the beginning of February and now he’s been hit with lockdown and more curfews. So much for his long-awaited personal freedom.

The case against Maj. Brown continued for YEARS, even after the victim recanted her statement citing that it was presented for her signature in Kanji by the police and she had no real knowledge of what it said. All she wanted was her cell phone replaced, which the Maj. threw out a car window. The Maj. even had the Japanese Bar assoc. in Tokyo on his side, calling for a declaration of mistrial to no avail.

In the case of the young woman raped in America Village, the friends of the victim who were with her right up until shortly before the incident in question publicly said they were there to meet American men and possibly trade sexual favors for shopping trips to the BX/PX (I’m not sure if any of you know just how common a practice this is, I do).

As far as the misconduct of our troops, I will not in any way say it never happens, but for the marines I have felt nothing but pity. How can you tell a young person from 0730 until 1630 “you are a professional, you are a responsible adult and will act like such. Here’s the keys to the multi million dollar equipment, weapon, live ammunition, explosives, ect” then at 1631 tell them “here’s your color coded i.d. card telling you when your curfew is, and you better not leave OR return without your liberty buddy-because you can’t be trusted to go anywhere by yourself, and here’s the list of what WE have decided that you can wear out in public including your own yard, and since we have no idea how to teach the ideals of self control, here’s the list of how much alcohol you are allowed to buy”. How can the Marine command not expect problems? You cannot treat a person like an adult for 8 hours a day and a small child the rest of the time, and not think there are going to be repercussions. My 5 and 10 year olds had more control over thier wardrobe than any grown marine.

As for the conduct of the airman, there is no excuse but his lack of personal conduct. Comparatively speaking, we had it made in the extreme next to the marines. No driving restrictions, no housing restrictions, no curfew, no alcohol restrictions, nothing.

One of the (unfounded) rumors going around regarding the dropping of charges in the Hadnott allegations was that the Japanese couldn’t find evidence (which they need) to prosecute under Japanese law, whereas all the military (under the Uniform Code of Military Justice) had all they need to press on with punishment since Hadnott did, at the very least, admit that he violated the UCMJ in his interaction with the underage Japanese girl.

Specifically regarding the military brass “supporting our troops,” as we are in Japan, we are subject to Japanese law. Japanese law allows for a person to be taken into police custody and detained off a mere allegation. The ’support’ from military brass comes in the form of ensuring that each and every servicemember knows from day one that they are subject to Japanese law in addition to US Military law.

I think this is a good thing for the military and Japanese community because we are guests in this country and if and when we commit a crime we should be subject to Japanese law. It keeps the militarys hands clean from having to protect people who have done something wrong and gives the Japanese the satisfaction that the crime is punished.

As for the UCMJ, it too has its faults but generally works well, much like the US justice system. Its not designed to punish innocent people but it is designed to effectively punish people for crimes we haven’t even considered.

It seems two things are happening, 1) soldiers are being turned over to Japanese authorities on allegations only and/or 2) face reprecussions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice general clauses that have no clear interpretation. The American slogan “support our troops” does not seem to be an attitude adopted by military brass. Is this standard operation procedure for the military or is this a reaction to Japanese pressure?? I’m interested in your thoughts on this.