- Reaction score
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Did a search and did'nt find this anywhere but......if I missed it I apologise.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070801/soldier_jail_070801/20070801/
Soldier sentenced for staying in bed during fight
Updated Wed. Aug. 1 2007 10:44 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has been sentenced to 21 days in jail for staying in bed while insurgents attacked the Canadian base in Afghanistan where he was stationed.
The soldier, Master Cpl. Paul Patrick Billard, was sentenced by a military judge in Halifax who slammed his actions.
Billard was supposed to act as a stretcher bearer and be part of the reserve force in the event of an attack. Instead, he stayed under the covers on May 22, 2006 when armed insurgents staged a nighttime strike on the forward operating base.
"You displayed a total lack of discipline and a lack of respect for orders by remaining in bed, by refusing to don your helmet and your flak vest and by refusing to report to your assigned place of duty," Lt.-Col. Jean-Guy Perron, the court martial judge, said in his decision.
He added that the base was particularly vulnerable at the time because a large number of troops were away -- a fact Billard was well aware of.
At about 2 a.m. on the night of the attack, a siren was set off warning soldiers to prepare to defend their positions after an attacker tried to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at one of the guard towers.
A guard returned fire and a patrol was sent after the insurgents during the incident, which lasted about one-and-a-half hours.
"At the start of the stand-to, other members of your living area urged you to get out of bed and tried to make you react appropriately to the alarm," the judge wrote.
However, Billard simply refused, repeatedly calling his comrades "flinchers," saying he was immune to their efforts and even attempting to discourage a corporal from responding to the order.
At one point he did get up, donning shorts and grabbing his pistol in order to go to the bathroom, but then promptly returned to bed, according to court papers.
Billard, a 33-year-old who was born in York, Ont. and joined the military in St. John's, N.L., pleaded guilty to the charge. Another charge of failing to use his utmost exertion to carry out orders, was withdrawn by prosecutors.
Court documents stated that although he stayed in bed, Billard listened to his radio to determine the threat level, and determined that his help was not needed.
However, Perron ruled that Billard had no right to pick and choose which orders to obey and said he failed the ultimate test of a soldier.
"It surely is not the conduct we expect of Canadian non-commissioned officers. Your duty is to follow orders and to ensure the welfare and discipline of your subordinates. You failed this duty miserably."
Billard is free on bail, based on the fact he plans to appeal the sentencing. He is to serve his jail term at a military prison in Edmonton.
He had been slated for promotion to sergeant prior to his actions on the night of the attack.
With files from The Canadian Press
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070801/soldier_jail_070801/20070801/
Soldier sentenced for staying in bed during fight
Updated Wed. Aug. 1 2007 10:44 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has been sentenced to 21 days in jail for staying in bed while insurgents attacked the Canadian base in Afghanistan where he was stationed.
The soldier, Master Cpl. Paul Patrick Billard, was sentenced by a military judge in Halifax who slammed his actions.
Billard was supposed to act as a stretcher bearer and be part of the reserve force in the event of an attack. Instead, he stayed under the covers on May 22, 2006 when armed insurgents staged a nighttime strike on the forward operating base.
"You displayed a total lack of discipline and a lack of respect for orders by remaining in bed, by refusing to don your helmet and your flak vest and by refusing to report to your assigned place of duty," Lt.-Col. Jean-Guy Perron, the court martial judge, said in his decision.
He added that the base was particularly vulnerable at the time because a large number of troops were away -- a fact Billard was well aware of.
At about 2 a.m. on the night of the attack, a siren was set off warning soldiers to prepare to defend their positions after an attacker tried to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at one of the guard towers.
A guard returned fire and a patrol was sent after the insurgents during the incident, which lasted about one-and-a-half hours.
"At the start of the stand-to, other members of your living area urged you to get out of bed and tried to make you react appropriately to the alarm," the judge wrote.
However, Billard simply refused, repeatedly calling his comrades "flinchers," saying he was immune to their efforts and even attempting to discourage a corporal from responding to the order.
At one point he did get up, donning shorts and grabbing his pistol in order to go to the bathroom, but then promptly returned to bed, according to court papers.
Billard, a 33-year-old who was born in York, Ont. and joined the military in St. John's, N.L., pleaded guilty to the charge. Another charge of failing to use his utmost exertion to carry out orders, was withdrawn by prosecutors.
Court documents stated that although he stayed in bed, Billard listened to his radio to determine the threat level, and determined that his help was not needed.
However, Perron ruled that Billard had no right to pick and choose which orders to obey and said he failed the ultimate test of a soldier.
"It surely is not the conduct we expect of Canadian non-commissioned officers. Your duty is to follow orders and to ensure the welfare and discipline of your subordinates. You failed this duty miserably."
Billard is free on bail, based on the fact he plans to appeal the sentencing. He is to serve his jail term at a military prison in Edmonton.
He had been slated for promotion to sergeant prior to his actions on the night of the attack.
With files from The Canadian Press
