Specifically, I’m talking about soldiers of the California National Guard. Once again, their back in the news and, once again, not in a good way.
At least 23 members of a California National Guard battalion serving in Iraq are under investigation for the alleged abuse of Iraqi detainees and for a $30,000 extortion scheme involving promises to protect shopkeepers from insurgents, the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.
Citing military officials and unnamed members of the unit, the newspaper said the abuse allegations focused on an incident in which a stun gun was apparently used to torture Iraqi detainees after an insurgent attack in June on a Baghdad area power plant. At least 17 soldiers are under investigation.
[…]
The extortion scheme under investigation is said to have involved at least six soldiers on night patrols in the Baghdad areas who demanded more than $30,000 from shopkeepers in exchange for protection from insurgents.
Add these investigations from abroad to the California Guard’s recent difficulties at home and you’re well on your way to a very ugly black eye for the reserve components.