A a mile outside of his base in Afghanistan included a fact that left some in the South Sound disgusted and in disbelief.
The suspected soldier was from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Associated Press reported via The News Tribune that he is part of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
As Patch reported on Sunday, the civilian killings could be the latest in a series of grim incidents involving U.S. soldiers from JBLM. Last year, four soldiers from the local installation were convicted by the Army of conducting thrill killings of Afghan civilians in 2010.
Today, The Seattle Times' Hal Bernton explored how the local installation is back in the national headlines for the worst of reasons:
"The base has grappled with other tough issues, including a surge in suicides to a record level in 2012 and complaints by some soldiers that doctors had reversed their diagnoses of post-traumatic stress. There also have been acts of violence in the Puget Sound area involving the base's soldiers or former soldiers."
"Base officials have said that any community the size of the base is bound to have its problems and that its reputation has been tarred by 'a small number of highly visible but isolated episodes' that don't accurately reflect the remarkable accomplishments of its service members, including their work overseas and the creation of programs to support returning soldiers."
So we ask you, Patch users, whether the Afghan killings and other problems are reflective of ongoing issues with Joint Base Lewis-McChord? Tell us in the poll below.
