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A Guide to the Navy Seals

A Guide to the Navy Seals

Navy Seals Defined:
The Navy Seals is a principal unit of the United States’ Navy. The unit is a special operations force and an acting foundation of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime branch of the United States Special Operations Command.
The Navy Seals are an extremely versatile military unit; the unit’s acronym is derived based on the branch’s ability to operate at sea, in the air and on land. That being said, the unit separates itself from other branches due to the soldier’s ability to operate underwater. 
The Navy Seals is organized into the following classifications and configurations:
Naval Special Warfare Group 1: Comprised of SEAL team 1,3,5,7
Naval Special Warfare Group 2: Comprised of SEAL 2,4,8,10
Naval Special Warfare Group 3: Comprised of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams 1
Naval Special Warfare Group 4: Comprised of Special boat Teams 12,20,22
Naval Special Warfare Group 5: Comprised of SEAL Teams 17,18
The Navy SEALS were formally established in World War II when the US Navy recognized the need for soldiers to coordinate landing breaches and ultimately guide the forces through the rough waters. Similar to other branches of the military, the Navy Seals are governed by Federal law as well as the distinct regulations established by military law.

The United States Navy SEAL Court System
As a service member, an individual will typically undergo circumstances that are unique to military service. On one hand, military law is similar to civil law in the manner that applicable legal codes specify any or all punitive recourse with regard to crimes and offenses; military law offers a specific framework for conducting, trying, and sentencing. On the other hand, military law differs from civil law – specifically with regard to matters concerning Navy SEAL – as such matters are neither standard nor applicable to civilian legislative parameters. As a result, legality specific to military service may be subject to military judicial review, as well as military court-mandated classification and punishment(s).

Navy Seals and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
Individuals in the service of the United States Military are typically subject to their respective adherence to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); the UCMJ is considered to be a code of legislative protocol with regard to legal matters applicable to service members – service members may be subject to be tried under military court in lieu of civil court. Those serving in the United States Military do so under the implicit understanding service members may be subject to Military Court hearings in lieu of Civil Court hearings. Matters undertaken under the jurisdiction of the military, such as the United States Navy SEAL, will be assessed by court officials appointed for the oversight of such matters.

Armistice

Armistice

 


An armistice occurs in war when two countries or groups decide and agree to stop fighting.  The term does not necessarily mean the war is over but rather acts as a cease fire resolution until peace treaties are formed or another type of agreement is settled upon.

Perhaps the most famous armistice in history was during World War I.  Allies and Germany agreed to cease fire until the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 on November 11.  On the same day, President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day and a two-minute pause of business was recognized at 11 a.m. 

The recognition of the historic day was adopted by France and the United Kingdom in 1920, and Congress went on to pass legislation over the next couple of days that eventually led to Veteran’s Day. 

For example, Congress declared November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday the month before on October 20.  The majority of states began to recognize November 11 as a legal holiday throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and Congress passed legislation on May 13, 1938 to make November 11 a recurring Federal holiday.  The federal government can only declare national holidays for federal employees, but most stated recognize Federal holidays now. 

On June 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation that changed the name of Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.  Observance of the day was moved to the fourth Monday in October in 1968, but observance of the day was switched back to November 11 in 1978. 

Although the most famous armistice is associated with World War I, the cease fire agreements have continued throughout history.  The Korean War ended with a cease fire in 1953, and the Persian Gulf War ended on cease-fire terms on April 6, 1991. 

The conditions of cease fires have continued to change as many countries like the United States maintain troop control in countries that initially declared cease fires. 

 

Results of the attack on Pearl Harbor

Results of the attack on Pearl Harbor

 

The surprise bombing of the American naval harbor of Pearl Harbor on December  7, 1941 by the Japanese navy had many consequences, including its role in precipitating the United States' entrance into World War II. However, in legal circles, the most important results of the attack on Pearl Harbor were the justifications that the event provided for forcing Japanese and Japanese-American citizens living in the United States to be confined to so-called "relocation camps" for the duration of the war.

 

The results of the attack on Pearl Harbor and its impact on Japanese-American citizens began when president Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 in February of 1942. This order directed the Secretary of War to declare certain areas of the country to be off limits to people of any or all ethnicities for the purposes of greater national security, specifically from preventing spies to conduct espionage. Subsequently, areas with large Japanese and Korean populations were declared to be such "military zones," requiring that these citizens be transferred to "relocation camps" for the remainder of the war. One of the results of the attack on Pearl Harbor was therefore the confinement of roughly 110,000 people for the duration of the war.

 

One of the results of the attack on Pearl Harbor was the Supreme Court case of Korematsu v. United States, which was heard in 1944. The subject of the case was the refusal of a Japanese-American citizen, Fred Korematsu, to leave his California residence and enter a relocation camp. In his lawsuit, Fred Korematsu charged that Executive Order 9066 was unconstitutional. The government argued that the order was constitutional because the importance of preventing espionage.

 

In a majority opinion in favor of the government, the Supreme Court concurred that the importance of protecting America from foreign invasion and attack was greater than the importance of respecting Fred Korematsu's constitutional rights. It therefore found that the creation of military zones was constitutionally valid.

 

One of the results of the attack on Pearl Harbor was that these relocation camps were maintained until January 1945, when their residents were permitted to return to their homes. In 1976, president Gerald Ford issued Proclamation 4417, which officially put an end to Executive Order 9066. Another of the results of the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred in 1980, when president Jimmy Carter ordered a study of the effects of these relocation camps. When completed two years earlier, the study concluded that the relocation camps were unjustifiable and that survivors were entitled to $20,000 apiece as compensation. These payments finally began to be issued in 1990 but were only issued to Japanese-American citizens.

 

The case of Korematsu v. United States was never officially overturned by another Supreme Court ruling. However, Fred Korematsu was successfully in obtaining an overturning of his conviction during the 1980s. The results of the attack on Pearl Harbor have not extended to attempts to establish new relocation camps during a state of war.

 

 

Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision

Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision

 


Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision

 

The Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision occurred in February of 2001. The Ehime Maru was a Japanese fishing vessel, while the USS Greeneville was a United States Navy submarine.

 

On the morning in question, the Ehime Maru was in the middle of a 74 day voyage designed to train high school students planning to become commercial fisherman. The USS Greeneville was conducting a Distinguished Visitor Embarkation trip, part of a program to invite notable guests to observe the Navy in action to make the case for the importance of continued funding and maintaining a strong Navy. On this voyage, sixteen such civilians were on board.

 

Prior to the Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision, the submarine performed a number of maneuvers. The USS Greeneville then prepared to perform an emergency surfacing procedure. Prior to this maneuver, Navy member Patrick Seacrest noticed that the Ehime Maru was visible on the sonar, but then recorded it as moving away from the vessel. He determined that it would be safe to ascend. Prior to the ascent, commander Scott Waddle examined the sonar and periscope but determined that the vessel was moving away.

 

The Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision occurred as the submarine rose beneath the fishing vessel, dividing the craft above it. Nine of those on board the Ehime Maru died following the collision. Japanese public outrage was increased by the slow rescue of the Ehime Maru's passengers. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation was opened. Additionally, the Navy decided to hold a public court of inquiry hearing regarding the Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision. This procedure was held before a panel comprised of three admirals. The purpose of such a hearing is to obtain evidence that can be used at a later date in a court martial.

 

Prior to the hearing commander Scott Waddle requested immunity from court martial regarding the Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision but had his request rejected. However, Patrick Seacrest received immunity prior to providing his witness testimony. Following the hearings, the court of inquiry issued its report regarding the cause of the Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision. They determined that the underlying issue was a series of failures to follow proper procedure, exacerbated by Waddle's desire to impress the visitors on board, and concluded that he bore sole responsibility for the incident.

 

In addition to the procedural errors committed that led to the Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision, the court of inquiry noted that the civilian presence on board was a distraction contributing to overall negligence. The court of inquiry advised against court martial proceedings against Scott Waddle or his crew members on the grounds their actions were not deliberate or criminal in intention. Scott Waddle was subsequently fined and told he would have to resign. Several other crew members received administrative admonishments. Scott Waddle resigned from the Navy in October of that year.

 

66th Military Intelligence Brigade

66th Military Intelligence Brigade

 


66th Military Intelligence Brigade

 

The 66th Military Intelligence Brigade is a military brigade unit of the American military which reports and acts under the supervision of the army's Intelligence and Security Command. The purpose of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade is to provide support to soldiers operating in the field of combat. Previously, the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade was a unit devoted solely to work in the field of gathering intelligence and counter intelligence. Founded in 1986, it was shut down in 1995, then reactivated in 2002.

 

One of the controversies which the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade has been involved with concerns the torture and death of Iraqi detainees at the Abu Ghraib facility established by the army following the invasion of Iraq. Among the facilities and groups operating at Abu Ghraib was the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center. By the end of December 2003, the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade was one of six military battalions and groups operating at the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center. At this time, the total number of personnel stationed was 160, including 45 soldiers acting solely as interrogators and 18 acting as linguists or translators.

 

The Abu Ghraib concerned a wide range of misconduct committed by American soldiers, documented in videos and still photographs which became public in 2004. The 66th Military Intelligence Brigade was implicated in several of these instances, either through active participating in inhumane interrogations or by witnessing inhumane acts committed against detainees. These incidents were documented in internal army investigations, although the names of the soldiers were omitted.

 

For example, one incident reported concerns the November 2003 interrogation of an Iraqi policeman. A member of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade witnessed a civilian contractor using his hand to restrict the policeman's breathing and twisting the policeman's arm behind his back. The witnessing member left the interrogation cell when the contractor told the detainee that he knew how to torture detainees without leaving any physical marks as evidence. The witnessing member of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade did not report the event. This member of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade also saw another civilian contractor threatening another detainee with torture and coercive interrogation if they did not cooperate during interrogation.

 

Another incident reported concerns a soldier who was aware of multiple acts of soldier misconduct. In addition to witnessing a soldier slapping a detainee, this member of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade stripped a detainee naked and then forced him to walk naked from his interrogation booth to another location outside during a cold winter night. This soldier also ordered the abuse of prisoners. This soldier also was aware that military members were taking photographs of detainees. This soldier was also aware of another incident in which a soldier forced a detainee to take a cold shower, roll in the dirt, and then stand naked outside until dry.

 

Any court martials taken against members of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade have not been made public.

Military Commissions

 Military Commissions

The Use of Military Commissions


A Military commission or military tribunal is a form of military court used to try individuals who are a part of the enemy force in times of war. They are used when a normal civil or criminal proceeding is not applicable.
Military commissions get their authority from the Articles I and II of the U.S. Constitution as well as from statutory law such as the Authorization for Use of Military Force. While they existed as early as the 1840’s, the validity of a commission was not tested until the American Civil War, where the Union Army General Order 100 said that a military commission could prosecute a case that wasn’t applicable to the Rules and Articles of War.
The legal validity of the jurisdiction of a military commission happened where the Supreme Court solidified the boundaries of a military commission. From then on they could be used in place of a common-law war court.
Today, a military commission acts as a type of military tribunal. It has been given statutory authority by the Constitution as well as by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The issue of a military commission has come up on many different occasions in the Supreme Court. Some of them include:
Ex Parte Milligan (1866)
Ex Parte Quirin (1942)
Application of Yamashita
Madsen v. Kinsella
Duncan v. Kahanamoku
United States ex. Rel. Toth v. Quarles
Military commissions have also been given executive authority. Since the President of the United States acts as the Commander in Chief, he has the authority to assemble military commissions.
Some examples include:
Presidential Proclamation 2561: Appointment of a Military Commission by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Detention, Treatment and Trial of Certain Non-Citizens in the War Against Terrorism, a military order by President George W. Bush
The president’s authority to create military commissions was challenged in the Supreme Court Cases Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, where the court decided that President Bush did not have the authority to create military commissions a month aver the September 11 attacks. He had created one that did not adhere to the Geneva Convention’s standards and did so without any approval from Congress.
However, Congress then passed the Military Commissions Act that authorized military commissions that could deviate from the normal rules of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
During Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign, he claimed that he would reject the Military Commissions Act, close Guantanamo, and unlike President Bush, adhere to the Geneva Conventions. However, as president he continued the military commissions for two more years. As of March 2011, he has made a new set of procedures for military commissions that would provide detainees to legal representation as well as more classified information.
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New York Man Filed False Military Discharge Papers

New York Man Filed False Military Discharge Papers


Marc S Restucci was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W Payson on November 8, 2012 for filing a fake military discharge certificate.  He received two years of probation.  


The facts of the case were presented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring.  He stated that Restucci initially made a claim for VA Disability Benefits when he was never entitled to the benefits in the first place.  After the claim was denied by the VA, he filed more false documents with the VA.  


He submitted a fake DD-214-Certificate of Discharge that referred to combat and awards in the 1983 invasion of Grenada called Operation Urgent Fury.  He also filed fake documents that stated he received a Purple Heart Medal for wounds related to combat.  


It didn’t take long for agencies to know the documents were false.  The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General determined that Restucci never saw combat in Operation Urgent Furry, never stepped foot in Grenada, and never saw hostile activity during his time in the military.  


Restucci was initially arrested for violating the Stolen Valor Act after he submitted a document with a forged signature and notary seal related to the Purple Heart Medal.  The Stolen Valor Act is a federal crime for falsely claiming a medal issued under the Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States.  However, the United States Supreme Court found that the Stolen Valor Act was unconstitutional according to the First Amendment in June of 2012 in the case United States v. Alvarez.  Prosecution for that part of the case was thrown out, and Restucci received lesser sentence.  


The investigation was led by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  


Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Learn About the Legislative Navy JAG

Learn About the Legislative Navy JAG

What is the United States Navy JAG?
The Navy JAG Corps – or Judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Navy – are the acting legislative body responsible for the legal oversight with regard to the United States Navy. Navy JAG Corps not only oversee the court martial process, but also are responsible for upholding the maintenance of the protocols and parameters expressed within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).


The Navy JAG Judicial System
In many cases, the legal issues addressed by the acting Navy JAG Corps are specific – these include war crimes, treason, sedition, the refusal to obey orders, undue violence, and offenses directed against military personnel:
Absent Without Leave (AWOL): The unlawful desertion of a service member with regard to their respective commitment to the United States Armed Forces; individuals deemed to have abandoned positions may be tried by military court and subsequently court martialed.
Navy JAG Court Martial: An Navy JAG court martial exists in the event that an offense is deemed to be under the jurisdiction of both military court judicial review, as well as military court oversight; court martials may mirror the legal process that exists within civil court, yet military personnel – service members and prisoners of war – are the only individuals able to be subject to such proceedings. Matters involving United States Armed Forcedservice members may constitute overlapping legal fields with regard to the corresponding legal proceeding. 

Navy JAG Legal Jurisdiction
In the event that an individual is brought before a military court with regard to matters concerning the United States Armed Forced, service members should be made aware that military law – as well as the Uniform Code of Military Justice – varies on a locational basis:
Civil Law: Legal parameters implicit within both the process of Military judicial review, as well as punitive recourse imposed by Federal Judicial Officials or Navy JAG Corps may be handled outside of the protocols latent within Civil Law
Military Law: In certain cases, military law is similar to civil law in the manner that applicable legal codes specify any or all punitive recourse with regard to crimes and offenses; military law offers a specific framework for conducting, trying, and sentencing. On the other hand, military law differs from civil law – specifically with regard to matters overseen byNavy JAGCorps – as such matters are neither standard nor applicable to civilian legislative parameters; as a result, legality specific to military service may be subject to military judicial review, as well as military court-mandated classification and punishment(s).
Federal Law: As per the guidelines expressed within the disbursement of a triune governmental oversight system, the United States Armed Forces exist under the jurisdiction of the Executive branch of the government; this results in the appointment of the President of the United States as the Commander in Chief of the entirety of the Armed Forces. 

Navy JAGCorps and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
Individuals in the service of the United States Military are typically subject to their respective adherence to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ):
The UCMJ is considered to be a code of legislative protocol with regard to legal matters applicable to service members – service members may be subject to be tried under military court in lieu of civil court
Those serving in the United States Military do so under the implicit understanding service members may be subject to Military Court hearings in lieu of Civil Court hearings. Matters undertaken under the jurisdiction of the military, such as the United States Navy JAG, will be assessed by court officials appointed for the oversight of such matters

How is Military Law Different from Other Laws

How is Military Law Different from Other Laws

What is Military Law in the United States of America?
As a service member, an individual will typically undergo circumstances that are unique to military service; those serving in the United States Military do so under the implicit understanding service members may be subject to Military Court hearings in lieu of correspondinglegal hearings applicable in circumstances existing outside of military service and military law.
Legal matters undertaken under the jurisdiction of the military – such as the protocol of Military Law upheld within the United States – will be assessed by court officials appointed for the oversight of such matters.As a result, legality specific to military service may be subject to military judicial review, as well as military court-mandated classification and punishment(s).

Military Law vs. Civil Law
On one hand, military law is similar to civil law in the manner that applicable legal codes specify any or all punitive recourse with regard to crimes and offenses; military law offers a specific framework for conducting, trying, and sentencing. On the other hand, military law differs from civil law – specifically with regard to matters concerning Military Law – as such matters are neither standard nor applicable to civilian legislative parameters. 

Military Law vs. Federal Law

Military Law is a legal field classified as a subgenre of Federal Law, which typically addresses the activity and behavior of military personnel; this can include sedition, treason, war crimes, criminal offenses directed towards fellow military personnel, and AWOL charges -unlawful desertion of a service member with regard to their respective commitment to the United States Military Law. 
However, the United States Department of Defense operates under Federal Law as per the guidelines expressed within the disbursement of a triune governmental oversight system, which allows for the United States Military Law to exist under the jurisdiction of the Executive branch of the government – resulting in the appointment of the President of the United States as the Commander in Chief of the entirety of the Armed Forces. Martial Law – the instatement of Military rule over specific jurisdictions within a country or nation – typically falls under the jurisdiction of Federal Law.

Instruments of Military Law
The following legal procedures and methodologies are common within the legal parameters of Military Law:
Individuals in the service of the United States Military are typically subject to their respective adherence to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which is a code of legislative protocol with regard to legal matters applicable to service members
Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG)serve as the acting legal body within the United states Military Law; JAG Corps not only oversee the court martial process, but are responsible for upholding the maintenance of the protocols and parameters expressed within the Uniform Code of Military Justice, as well
A court martial ordered in accordance to Military Law exists in the event that an offense is deemed to be under the jurisdiction of both military court judicial review, as well as military court oversight; court martials may mirror the legal process that exists within civil court, yet military personnel – service members and prisoners of war – are the only individuals able to be subject to such proceedings