Stop Me Before I Go to War Again

The Guardian reports on a soldier who had a relative shoot him in the leg in order to avoid another tour of duty:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A soldier who allegedly had a relative shoot him so he wouldn't have to return to Iraq could face military discipline.

Army Spc. Marquise J. Roberts, of Hinesville, Ga., suffered a minor wound Tuesday to his left leg from a .22-caliber pistol, police said. He was treated at a hospital, then arrested after he and a relative allegedly admitted making up a story about the shooting...

Roberts, 23, was on a two-week leave from the 3rd Infantry Division, which led the assault on Baghdad in 2003. He had been scheduled to return this week to Fort Stewart, Ga., and to return to Iraq within the next few months. The division has been home since the summer of 2003.

Police said Roberts, a supply specialist who had spent seven months in Iraq, was distraught about having to return to combat duty and wanted to stay with his family.

I'm sure the army would love an infusion of fresh, new soldiers--any takers among the point-and-click war supporters? I'll admit the pay isn't all that good, the benefits can be lousy, the stress is high, and occupational hazards are extreme. On the other hand, it's a great chance to put words into action...