Lone Survivor, the movie.

Originally Posted by WillBrink

That brings up an additional problem. If you separate the herder from the goat, a bunch of goats wondering around without any herders would likely draw attention too I'd think. I assume that too is something they have to take into account in making such decisions.

I heard that conversation as well. Probably when Glenn Beck was interviewing him. I think that is the real problem. Not so much the goats would follow. I''ve know people that raised goats in Jamaica and they didn't follow them home. But I could certainly see them wandering off all over the place depending on what time of day it was, if they had eaten or whatever. If a villager saw that and then realize 3 other villagers are missing, that's going to go bad pretty fast.

Originally Posted by tb-av

I heard that conversation as well. Probably when Glenn Beck was interviewing him. I think that is the real problem. Not so much the goats would follow. I''ve know people that raised goats in Jamaica and they didn't follow them home. But I could certainly see them wandering off all over the place depending on what time of day it was, if they had eaten or whatever. If a villager saw that and then realize 3 other villagers are missing, that's going to go bad pretty fast.

Maybe, but I think not as fast as letting them go so they could go warn the enemy. The whole point of bringing them along, even only to the top of whatever ridge they were on, would be simply to buy some more time and increase their distance from the town with the enemy fighters.
I honestly think bringing them along, even for a short distance, makes the most sense, and I'm wondering why it was not even mentioned as a possible option 4. And several other posters here also have stated that that thought immediately crossed their minds as well.

Originally Posted by Koshinn

When studying Operation Red Wings last year for some PME, one of the questions brought up was that of the ROE and the vote that LT Murphy called for regarding how to deal with the goat herders. Basically I was asked "what would you do and why?" and relating it to the ROE.

What I asked was "why did they even have a vote? it's the military, decisions are downward directed by the person in charge." Someone in the movie (I can't remember who) also mentioned that. Turns out, that whole event is somewhat controversial in that many believe it didn't happen at all.

I wonder if, in 20/20 hindsight, another option besides 1) kill them, 2) let them go, or 3) tie them up, could have been 4) take them with us as we exfiltrate until nightfall, then let them go.

Otherwise, very powerful movie.

I'd argue that most small SOF element deal with some issues in a Chinese Parliament - the Leader has the final say - but everything gets discusses if there is time.
The radio that the herder had - those batteries still liter mountainsides - they transmit any incoming choppers and teams locations.
Decisions on an ROE card are all well and good in a pristine environment but get tougher in the cold reality of life.

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I saw the movie last night -- I thought it was extremely powerful and moving. Regardless of the issues the mission had from the outset, it is a phenomenal film (the ending to me was poorly done but...). The ending really choked me up. Perhaps it meant more to me as I've been to Afghan and knew folks who died in those hills, before and after this mission.

Originally Posted by CodeRed30

Please, do tell what made you come to that conclusion.

Originally Posted by WillBrink

Considering his (claimed) experience and background to that event, your comments seems an overly quick dismissal. It also does not seem far off what some others who were close to the event have indicated.

Because he doesn't know the difference between a documentary, a docudrama, and a motion picture.

Originally Posted by Belloc

Continue with the mission? The movie makes it out as if they abandoned the mission as soon as they were compromised. Is that not accurate?

As I said in my previous post, it has been a while since I read the book.

I read the part where they were compromised just now, and they stayed on mission, they just moved to an alternate position and stayed on a higher level of alertness - shorter notice to move.

Originally Posted by R0CKETMAN

Because he doesn't know the difference between a documentary, a docudrama, and a motion picture.

You're shitting me, right? You want to call a combat veteran Ranger a dumbass because you THINK he doesn't know the difference? That's pretty bold and goddamned disrespectful of you. Please, point out where he indicates that he "doesn't know the difference between a documentary, a docudrama, and a motion picture." The ONLY thing that even comes close to that statement in when he's trying to make the point that even though it's "just a movie", it still has an impact on what the masses think as truth. Especially it's spread as an "accurate depiction" of what happened.

Perhaps you should bite your tongue and think about what you type before you type it.

Originally Posted by Arctic1

As I said in my previous post, it has been a while since I read the book.

I read the part where they were compromised just now, and they stayed on mission, they just moved to an alternate position and stayed on a higher level of alertness - shorter notice to move.

Then that explains perfectly why they didn't take them with them, why "option 4" wasn't a possibility. They themselves weren't leaving. Thanks.

I wish some of the people citing the countless faults of the movie would go into detail as to what they were

If you don't have and don't wish to in the future hold a clearance, I'm told that googling REDWINGS and wikileaks together makes for interesting reading.

Wife and I saw the movie last night. Loved every minute of it.

Accurate or not, I believe it in no way diminishes the sacrifices these men make for their country and brothers in battle.

I will see it again before its done with its run in theaters.