Two House representatives joined forces Wednesday to introduce a resolution demanding the reinstatement of a Green Beret who faces discharge for roughing up an Afghan police commander and rapist.
GOP Reps. Vern Buchanan and Duncan Hunter want war hero Sgt. First Class Charles Martland to not only remain in the service, but to receive commendation for his actions.
Martland currently faces discharge for confronting an Afghan commander after hearing that the commander chained a boy to his bed to keep as a sex slave. The commander admitted he had raped the boy and subsequently beat his mother for informing the U.S. military.
Martland shoved the commander to the ground and now faces discharge from the Army on Nov. 1. His attempt to appeal the discharge failed, prompting to Buchanan and Hunter to step in and introduce the resolution. (RELATED: Army Rejects Appeal Of Green Beret Discharged For Confronting Afghan Boy Lover)
Numerous reports from other soldiers, covered extensively in The New York Times, point to the existence of a strict policy mandating non-interference with local Afghan culture. Part of that culture includes the rape of boys by powerful men.
“Driving Sgt. Martland out of the Army for standing up for American values is a national disgrace,” Buchanan said in a statement. “Now is the time for the U.S. House to demand Sgt. Martland be reinstated for his honorable actions in defense of innocent children.”
Buchanan joins Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran, in forwarding the resolution. Hunter has made Martland’s case a priority over the last several months.
“The only people who should be punished are the ones who condoned a policy of ignoring child rape on a U.S. military base,” Buchanan said. “It’s bad enough if we were ignoring this type of barbaric and savage behavior, it’s even worse if we are punishing American heroes who try to stop it.”
Hunter said that there’s evidence to suggest the Afghan police commander faked the severity of his injuries to make sure that Martland received greater discipline from military superiors. Perhaps what’s most troubling about the incident is that it encourages silence and cooperation with noxious practices and discourages the retention of high-quality troops.
The House resolution is non-binding, but would send a strong message to the Pentagon.
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