Marine in Mexico

The story lines goes somewhere along the line of Mexican Gubment is making a "federale" case out of this incident because the kid tried to enter Mexico with weapons in his vehicle. Aperantly he got confused at a key intersection and once you get in the lanes going to Mexico there's no turning around on US soil.

[youtube:14a75eay][/youtube:14a75eay]

Despite his imprisonment for what seems to be an honest mistake he's AWOL and will likely suffer the consequences. The UCMJ applies equally to all military members while they are actively serving.

So he got confused by the signage and road closures and "accidentally" drove down the main freeway into Mexico, knowing he had guns in his truck? So he tells them he just wanted to make a U-turn?

Try saying that when you're caught with drugs at border and let me know how that works out for you.

Hmm, voice of experience?

Basic rules for crossing any international border:

1) Know what's allowed and prohibited BEFORE you get to the border and leave the prohibited stuff behind or find a legal way to ship it back home.

2) Never fail the "attitude test," be polite when communicating with the authorities and locals, take as much time as it takes to cross the border, and always cooperate with the local authorities. You're on foreign soil and they make the rules, comply or suffer the consequences.

3) If you have items in your possession that are prohibited in the country you're about to enter look for an amnesty box, many countries provide them and it's in your best interest to shed any prohibited items before crossing the border.

4) If the stuff you have on your person or in your vehicle is illegal in every country in your proximity get ready for the local version of this:

[youtube:2n16tijx][/youtube:2n16tijx]

When you have to go through this kind of experience for real you'll discover it's not any fun and there are potential legal consequences.

I thought that I had read that he wasn't active duty any more. Did I misunderstand that? If not active duty, how could he be AWOL?

Most Reservists drill at least one weekend every month and serve two weeks or more a year in temporary assignments. Sgt. Tahmooressi has been in jail in Mexico since 31 March 2014. If his CO and XO are decent human beings they'll dismiss the charges because of the unusual reaction of the Mexican Gubment.

The reality is that a UCMJ Article 32 proceeding (aka - a Court Marshall) allows the officers of the Court Marshall the ability to scale the punishment up or down as they see fit. In this case I have to believe that the charge of AWOL will be brought but if the evidence shows that Sgt. Tahmooressi did not aggravate the situation they'll minimize the punishment of dismiss the charges all together.

otisptoadwater wrote: Despite his imprisonment for what seems to be an honest mistake he's AWOL and will likely suffer the consequences. The UCMJ applies equally to all military members while they are actively serving.

His duty status may have been changed to jail or civilian incarceration, which means he isn't AWOL.

There will be consequences. I had a commander that used to say all the time, ignorance is not an excuse. He could have to pay back the time he's spent in jail and if he was supposed to be on duty at all during that time (if he's reserves or guard), he won't be paid.

I agree Otis...know where you are going, what's in your vehicle or on your person--or what the people with you are carrying--especially if you are near the border or going on a federal installation.