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This is regarding the Oct. 7 article “Soldier gets two years in choking death of fellow GI,” regarding Sgt. Justin Boyle receiving two years for choking out his buddy.

To all enlisted personnel: If your commander or first sergeant tells you to physically restrain your buddy, it is an unlawful order. The punishment of a soldier for restraining his buddy “at all costs” is unauthorized. Sgt. Boyle did that and, with unforeseeable results, it is likely that he is the only one who will be punished. Just like Abu Ghraib, only the enlisted will suffer.

Officers will continue to skate. It must be nice to give orders with little to no punishment. Sure, your buddy may die or commit suicide, but you won’t be locked up for years of your life for following orders and doing what is morally right.

As a fellow noncommissioned officer, I support Sgt. Boyle’s decision. The results were not what anyone would have wanted, but he did what was right. I am sorry it turned out this way.

Sgt. Sais SinghAl Asad Air Base, Iraq

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