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Issouf Sanogo / AFP - Getty Images
A French soldier wearing a skeleton mask stands next to a tank in a street in Niono, Mali.
The image was taken innocently enough: A landing helicopter kicked up a dust storm as French soldiers moved toward Niono, in northern Mali, an area held by al-Qaida-linked militant groups.
The soldiers pulled on their goggles to protect their eyes from the dust. One soldier pulled up a black bandana -- with a white skeleton face printed on it -- over his nose. Behind him, light beamed through tree branches, creating an otherworldly image -- the soldier looked like a skeleton in French military fatigues.
Photographer Issouf Sanogo of the Agence France-Presse news agency and Yann Foreix of Le Parisien were drawn to the soldier, whom they photographed. The bandana is an accessory sold for fans of the violent military game “Call of Duty.” At first glance, the soldier bears eerie resemblance to the character Ghost from the video game.
Two days after the images were published in newspapers and news sites across Europe, French military officials have announced that they aren’t pleased with the image, according to newspaper Liberation in Paris.
“This is unacceptable behavior,” said Col. Thierry Burkhard. “This image is not representative of action by France in Mali.”
France has been moving into the northern region of Mali to wrestle control of the area from militants affiliated with al-Qaida. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves LeDrian said over the weekend that the goal is the "total reconquest of Mali," and that the French military would not "leave any pockets of resistance." Mali is a Muslim country; those in the north are viewed as religious extremists.
On the AFP blog, Sanogo, the photographer, said that nothing seemed too out of the ordinary about the image at the time.
“It was evening. Rays of light filtered through the trees and the clouds were lifted by the helicopter. It was a pretty light. I saw the soldier wearing an odd bandana and I took the photo. At the moment I didn’t find it particularly extraordinary or shocking. The soldier wasn’t posing.”
Sanogo added: “I don’t know who the soldier is, and I would have trouble recognizing him if I saw him again. I believe, and I hope, that it will be impossible to identify him.”
Military and video games have long mixed – the members of SEAL Team 6 were punished for their role in developing the video game "Medal of Honor." The U.S. Army created “America’s Army,” a series of video games to help with recruitment.
But this image has a more chilling effect, somehow, perhaps because it signifies the conundrum of war: the liberating army as a symbol of freedom, but also of looming death.
Related: Game originator Col. Casey Wardynski explains thinking behind video game
Related: SEALs punished for role in developing Medal of Honor video game, official says
Leave a Comment:
Fake news....
This "news" story belongs in the Onion, especially the line “This is unacceptable behavior,” said Col. Thierry Burkhard
This is the definition of making a mountain out of a mole hill. The idea that the French military leadership are having such a huge issue with this photo is absurd. By making a big deal out of this they are causing more of an issue than the photo itself ever would have. This was not some deliberate, posed photo. It was a set of circumstances with the helo kicking up dust, the time of day causing unusual lighting, and the soldier pulling on his goggles and a bandanna to protect himself from the dust that was swirling around. This was not some deliberate attempt to send some message and apparently these bandannas are not uncommon among the soldiers. If they are smart they will just let this go, the soldier did nothing wrong and it is pretty obvious that the photographer is not going to cooperate in trying to identify him. If the military brass has an issue with these bandannas they should have said something to the troops before. At this point the only action would be to tell the troops to get rid of the bandannas if they have an issue with them and let it go at that.
You can be called upon to kill in the line of duty, but you can't look like death when doing it. They should equipe them all with yellow smiley-face bandanas.
They've got it all wrong. This Infinity Ward's new spin off from CALL OF DUTY:Modern Warfare-GHOST.. That new IW5 engine makes the graphics look so real!!!
The reality of it is that the military doesn't want Infinity Ward and Activision to expect royalties for advertising for looking like Ghost from CoD:MW2.
If Col. Thierry Burkhard doesn't like his troops wearing bandannas in foreign countries that look like skulls then maybe he should go to this godforsaken country and pick up a rifle and show them what an honor it is to be there and not back home where he is.
I bet that the bandanna scares the hell out of the militants and maybe all of the troops should be wearing them.
"I believe, and I hope, that it will be impossible to identify him.”
Many more war stories should end that way.
Talk about moral breakers. Maybe the officers who are saying it's unacceptable should get back on the ground for a few months and remind themselves what it's like. I think it's great. I know if I saw this pop it's head up from behind an object he'd definitely put a freeze on my butt and shoot me.
Zees ees an outrage! For French soljairs to be loookeeng like common Breetish Soccer Hoolieegans! I ave personnalee ordaired the replacement of all current scarfware issued to hourare troops with more, how you say,... appropriate facial garb. From now on all French soljairs weel go eento guerre weareeng chef hats, and carrying vino and baugettes eenstead of nastee guns. Vive la France!
Jean Claude van Doh
Director of the Department
of French Cultural Protection and Advancement
Who cares? It's a war. People die. End of story.
The photo is nothing more than morbid humor . It only offends the thin skinned. One does what one must do to relieve the tenseness and fear of going into battle. Let the boys have their fun now. As some will return home in a zip lock bag all to soon.
Kinda' like Full Metal Jacket: Ace of Spades on one side of the helmut, Peace Sign on the other. Both sides covered nicely. End of problem!
So one French Soldier, for a moment, looks like death to the enemy and the French Command turns chicken. OK, bring on the French non-military jokes !
I've always found the French to be most hilarious when they are not trying to be.
It is called 'death face' and warriors all over the world have been putting it on for thousands of years.
It's difficult to balance Political Correctness...and killing people in foreign lands. Thank the gods he wasn't urinating on a fresh kill.
What's being missed in all the "outrage" around this is that is one AMAZING photo. It looks incredible.
he looks bad-ass....ooorah
I love people who say "its a war, people die, who cares" type comments. Those people have never been in a war, as I have NEVER heard a soldier say that. Also, these type of people are typically the type that are so removed from any war zone they say it without an ounce of care for people that suffer in a real war.
The French should use it as a recruiting photo.
This is a great photo. It shows that war is war and not a walk in the park like so many think.
You have to change your way of thinking when you go to war. If this is how he wants to look, then let him be. There is nothing offending about the photo or bandanna, it could just a way for the soldier to feel better about himself.
JK from PA
Kinda' like Full Metal Jacket: Ace of Spades on one side of the helmut, Peace Sign on the other. Both sides covered nicely. End of problem!
it was a peace sign and born to kill on the other side, conflicting ideals was what made it worth remembering.
double post
Who cares??
This guy is getting ready to kill people, give me a break. Back in the day, the Spartans would paint themselves in blood. Oh my gosh! Where's all the outrage about the US Spec Ops holding up the SS lightning symbols in Afghanistan last year?
I have the same mask at home, except its green. Still looks pretty bad @ss though.
@Forest Roamer
Smiley-face bandannas? THAT is creepy!
Cool pic, though I can't believe they call this news. If anyone is worked up about this then they need to get a life. It's a damn mask, big deal.
That is awesome! They are fighting Muslim terrorists. The religion of death. This sends a direct message. You want to go to paradise? I'm here to help you on your way.
I love it, make it a mandatory mask for all in action combat soldiers, sends a message that they are fighting against tyranny in the world and the ones whom they are fighting against should be very afraid.
Typical knee-jerk reaction from senior officers who are more worried about the social media reaction than their own troops.....sounds like our Congress
Oh, for..... Any fervor this kicks up is completely ridiculous. So he had a bandanna with a skull on it. Now I could understand people being a bit queasy if his head really was just a skull....
The col mentioned in the article needs to be kicked in the groin - repeatedly - if he really had that big a reaction to the photo. He of all people should have known better.
OMG! Did you see the scary weapon he was carrying? Those kind of things should be banned from a war zone...
Pathman, you made my day.
You can KILL THEM, but we're not going to have you look like this while you're doing it.......
Makes sense to me, typical leftist BS
When the dogs are released, don't complain they bit someone.......
Every picture of Seal Team 6 has them all wearing masks like this. In war, troops are angels of death and destruction. Why shouldn't they present the image to the fullest? I say let soldiers wear a skull, cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war.
they have been selling masks like this for street bike guys for years. Before Call of Duty was even available. Must be a real slow day in media-land.
nothing wrong with his attire. the intent is to show who is boss in a war zone. if he were evacuating children from somewhere that would be different. he looks like someone you would not want to mess with. perfectly acceptable.
some of these pansies that are offended by this picture should try actually going to a war.
Give them all Bieber masks, and Gaga dresses, and make them hand out kittens. Soldiers can be so rough sometimes.
WOW! What in the hell is this world coming to? So @!$%#ing what he has a skull-face bandanna in a photo! C'mon Man!!!!
BFD
Just to add to what everyone has said........ only someone that has never been or never know a soldier would find fault with this. If you don't lighten up your life in situations like this you will end up with mental issues. News line said eerie........... I am thinking pretty cool the dust and light in the background.
what was eerie about that? Did you see the inaugration? now that was eerie! All the nose pickin' the eye roiiln' and lip syncn'
"You can KILL THEM, but we're not going to have you look like this while you're doing it.......
Makes sense to me, typical leftist BS"
You obviously have no idea what a liberal is, Mr. Ellipsis. We think this photo is great. We hate it when you chickenhawks try to PR sanitize war.
This just reinforces something I've been saying for years: individually, the French turn out some of the finest soldiers in the world, but their leadership, their government still can't find a way to surrender fast enough, in this case to political correctness.
A soldier's primary job is to kill people and break stuff. Nothing in the Geneva Convention that says you can't scare the hell out of your enemy before you shoot them.
I wonder what the French Military thinks about Americans naming almost every weapon they make after something sinister or deadly? Even the drones are OFFICIALLY called "Predators" and "Reapers." Top bad the White House turned down the Death Star idea.
Remember you're supposed to kill your enemy not offend them
Let's give em all smiley-face bandannas instead...... :-)(/s)
LMAO!! This is a great pic!! And he is definitely bad-ass looking, esp. with that Famas he has!! Great War zone pic. Kudos to the photographer@!
When you are exterminating pockets of al qaida, I think the image of looming death is very appropriate.
And US Air force officers are going into the troops barracks searching for girlie calendars. Maybe they should look for masks as well.
"The idea that the French military leadership are having such a huge issue with this photo is absurd."
Yep same as saying the French having a Military=absurd. RFLOL
Fantastic photo, just sorry it wasn't of a U.S. boot.
every soldier, in every war zone should be wearing something like that!! What ever it takes to put fear in the enemy!! and the soldiers home alive! anyone who tinks otherwise has there head up there ass!!
Awesome pic. I say give all our freedom fighthers one. Scare the hebbie jebbies out of the terrorists...give them a taste of fear right off the bat, the world just might find themselves with less jhidst to have to fight....he he he he....
A mask like that might scare them off before you have a chance to kill them.
just as I was starting to gain a little respect for the french they go and blow it by showing how Politically correct their liberal officers are, a good commander would see to it that all his troops had the same mask. and lots of pig skin.
WOW! Awesome pic! I think it exemplifies the impending doom which is about to destroy all pockets of resistance...they should all have them on...No really, OH...I have a ski mask that looks exactly like it, I wear it all the time. HOOOAH!
Who can be afraid of him? He's French! At the first sign of real trouble, he'll drop his gun and run, then call for our help again.
A simple point is the word "uniform",and any vet knows it means we are all meant to be the in the "uniform" that has been designated and then given to us! It doesn't matter how cool the picture is! Regulations are there to be obeyed! Any EM,NCO or Officer is taught that at the very begining of their service.
In a later interview, Col. Thierry Burkhard was quoted as saying, "This is not the impression our military wants to express. As a result, we will be issuing our troops in the field new uniforms and equipment; pink tutus, tiaras and glittery fairy wands."
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Who says the French have no sense of humor? First, Jerry Lewis, now this. Awesome!!! He's probably a Legionaire, to boot, so I'm sure he could give two sh**s about what the colonel thinks.
This article and many others are just people complaining. Why in the world do people care about things that do not affect them?....get a life!
Well, lets face it, the French have never really been known for their fighting.... Just ask any US WWII Vet, they looked good coming in and looked just as good leaving....before the fighting ever started.... Just saying....
Seriously though, I think it's a neat picture. It does send a message al-Qaida that we are here to put the fear of God into you. I would pee myself if I saw that guy coming at me... mission accomplished. The French need to chill out and get a sense of humor....
garbageman-2736857
Right because we never see soldiers wearing non-issued garb. I can't even remember the last time I saw a picture of SF in Iraq or Afghanistan without a shemagh. Last I checked they weren't an issued part of the uniform.
You people have the nerve to ask your soldiers to have to possibly take the lives of other human beings, and you question what they wear. Shame...It is the job of the soldier to create fear in their opposition, to wear them down so that they don't want to fight anymore. It's my belief that if more soldiers dressed like this. Then their enemies would believe that you really mean business.
Way to go! Considering the job this soldier is asked to do, and against whom he must do it, it is more than reasonable for him to wear such a scarf. If the bad guys don't like it or are offended, GOOD! Americans have been battling the Mali-style terrorist for more than a decade. Those terrorists give no quarter to their enemy. It is important for a soldier to be in the right frame of mind when dealing with such people. The only mistake that I can see is that he does not have protection for his head. Where is his helmet?
As a veteran, I'll just say, F*ckin' awesome scarf, bro!
What I dont get is how they automatically identify the skull balaclava as a COD accessory. Sure it was used in the game, but it has been around for far longer than the Call of Duty franchise has. To make the direct connection is nothing more than pure ignorance. Also, what does it matter? They are in hell fighting extremist maniacs so we can sit at home at peace. They could be wearing pajamas for all I care if that makes them more comfertable in that cesspool of a region.
This image is timeless and demonstrates excellent photography skills. I would hope it goes viral. What an excellent historical depiction of military Force. Also as said, 'all' of the troops should be issued masks similar. The 'smiley face' masks mentioned, are an excellent idea as well. They could change masks as they 'work their trade'. One day smiley's, the next day skulls. Kind of like 'shirts and skins', when one side loses or wins (depending on political factors involved), the others get to kill them, sending them on to the the 'sorting area' in 'a nice orderly military fashion', like in the Mayan 'games'. When the UN gets their way, and disarms everyone they desire to make into Victims, except for the folks that laugh at the UN, the previously mentioned Tutu's will 'come out', whoops did I type that?
Not typical of French actions.......... I'll say. They haven't surrendered, yet. My new desktop photo. Dude is really rockin' it, for a French soldier.
Face it, the job of the soldier is to kill people and break things. Somehow society expects this job to remain PC. Instilling fear in the enemy is also part of the job. Give us a break and find outrage elsewhere.
PS... How many French troops does it take to defend Paris? No one knows, its never been tried.
Going to war without France is like going hunting without an accordion. - Norman Schwarzkopf
Look, the only reason the French are in Mali is because they haven't surrendered to anyone for too long and they are afraid of getting out of practice. And you can't surrender wearing a scarf like that.
Perhaps the mask is not couture? Young people messing around for the camera in a situation where one must make light of evil things to hold on to one's sanity...I see no problem wit hthe picture. It's not as if he wore it into battle. Let's face it, these young people are risking life and limb to protect France's interest in Mali's uranium because France runs on 75% nuclear power. The least they can do, as a country is grow a pair & stand behind them. The officer making these comments of "unacceptable" needs a smack-down.
Easy Frenchies. Easy there. It's a mask. The Soldier represents death to His/Her foes. Scary looking, but not inappropriate. Leave the soldier alone.
The French have soldiers????? WHO KNEW?????
So this photo is worse then the french mag. printing the photos of the Duchess? O yea that make sense. Please this brave man needed to cover his face due to a helicopter landing.
I for one think that if the french want to prove that they're serious about their military actions they should shut up and start outfitting all of their forces with the bandannas. Its asinine to try to be politically correct in a war, it only shows the enemy that you don't have the resolve to win and strengthens their own. This picture is a perfect representation of what the military stands for, death awaits those who threaten the innocent. This shouldn't be shunned it should be used as propaganda to discourage terrorism.
@backcountry The item you that you say is not military issue, is actually government issue, the shemagh is listed as scarf, neckware, mens, nomenclature: mil-n-43741, it was prohibited in the gulf war, but that ruling was later reversed. there are two types supposedly approved.
Too much political correctness, they are soldiers at war, they are ordered to bring death to their enemies, what better way to deliver death, than a skull mask or a bandana covering your face.
I think it fits, My team wore green ones and in the dark when a light would be shined on you it was a very freaky and scary look. I know for sure that it scared the he11 out of the enemy and that was one of the reasons we all wore them, that and to make it so that no one new our identity. Some of the areas we went into we had to hide our identities.
I am sorry but this guy is in a war zone, bad things happen in war, sometimes in order to get through it you have to let some of your human side go under cover, in war when you are the one in combat I am sorry but political correctness does not work nor does it have a place. Let those back home have PC, we just wanted to get through it and we were willing to do whatever it took to get through it, if that bothers you oh well, come and spend some time in my world and then tell me about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can kill the enemy relentlessly, but offend them once on the battlefield and your own politicians will destroy your career...
Pretty sure soldiers have been using skull masks long before Call of Duty.
Quite honestly....he looks badass, which is the intent.
not to mention motorcycle riders, construction workers, rodeo workers(i've seen a rodeo clown that had one) and tons of other people using them. they sell em in gas stations here.
I dunno... aren't soldiers supposed to look bad-ass? If I were down there on the ground, I'd want this guy on my side...
First of all... He's a French Soldier with a skeleton scarf on his face... That means that 90% of the time you won't even be able to see it because he's running the other direction.
Second... Brilliant of him because it makes it so much more convincing when he lays down and plays dead whenever confronted without the opportunity to flee.
Seriously though, It doesn't look bad-ass to me. Don't wear a mask around me in a war zone full of terrorists. I would intend to live long enough to come home, and possibly at your expense if you hide your face from me.
It's not a video game and no one called up the SS. They're dead for a reason. Shock-troops are for children.
What all well dressed soldiers should be wearing. Their jobs are to project death to a large group of people.
This should be the last image that terrorists see before leaving this realm.
It's an effective psych tactic in a combat zone, if the personal imagery strikes fear into the minds of the less-educated, more superstitious enemy.
Agreed. Are they supposed to look inviting? They are there with the sole purpose to "un-invite" you. You are being removed from someone else's backyard, you are about to be shot. Badass, I love it.
Looks spot on!
I think the West needs to decide if we want these men to be soldiers or nurse maids.
I like it. Could you imagine a squad of these guys coming at you?
John C.
I was a Soldier for over 23 years. I have been deployed. The facts are that WAR is deadly. People DO die. Get over it. On a sadder note...I was an Army Casualty Officer...and saw every day the heartbreak to the families left behind (i shared that heartbreak with them)......It is something that I hope we would never have to EVER experience again....but the reality is that humans kill each other in war and THAT is a fact that will never end.
Besides... why WOULDN'T you want your fighting force to look ominous... strike a bit of fear in your enemy BEFORE you have to fight?
I remember a story from last year that a US Marine unit was admonished for using two lightning bolts as their unit insignia... libby lefties screamed that they looked like the German SS symbol... SO WHAT?? Do you really want pink pansies or purple unicorns?
Time to let the fighters fight...
Dress code deemed appropriate.
I know, right?. Finally someone in the French military does something bad-ass and they've got to come down on the poor guy.
Scout Sniper. They've used it for decades. I can see the argument, because of the atrocities that soldiers that were associated with that symbol committed, albeit under an entirely different premise. It isn't an argument that I agree with, but I see their side. As far as this picture is concerned, I'd issue those bandannas to my entire unit, and make it a part of the field uniform. If it strikes fear in the heart of your own people, then you know its effective on the enemy.
It should be standard issue. It would be a great retention tool.
Re-enlist and get a sweet mask to intimidate your enemies, what's NOT to like?
These service members (and their counter parts in America) perform missions that 99% of the public cannot even qualify to enter for. These are the 1% we should all respect, and rightly so.
World without end
As opposed to what? Rightwingers protecting the German SS symbol? Remember, it was the "Righties" that got us into two wars with no exit strategies, and the "Lefties" that are finishing the job. So, stuff your self-absorbed ideology.
Karaoke Jesus; Thanks for the spot-on post.
Right on- it's lucky this guy wasn't American- then we'd have a congressional investigation, waste of millions of dollars, libs in general in a tizzy about him looking too mean, officers losing their careers. it's sad to see the PC BS we have here spreading to other countries. At least THEY can try to win, versus our leaders forcing us to lose, or get our guys kiled.
Right you are, Ritdog. It's not as though the French, wearing traditional military dress, have enjoyed (sic) such great success on the battlefield for, oh, the last 200 years, since Waterloo. Why not try something different?
Because it goes against winning hearts and minds! (what a joke.)
I think it's perfectly fine - just the thing to slaughter the Islamist wastes of carbon.
I hope they eat bacon for breakfast!
They're there to win hearts and minds, all right. What we forget is that's best be done by kicking the asses of the bad guys.
Dam right!!
I read a report on multi-national war efforts. Interviewing the enemy they said they feared the French above all others. On how they were more likely to kill everything moving with no mercy. The French soldier is the most heavily armed soldier in the world 1 on 1. A H&K 97, H&K MP5 and a 9mm sidearm is standard equiment. In my opinion that mask should be standard issue with the beret'. Puts fear into the hearts of enemies. It's called psycological warfare.
what would anyone expect from the french LMFAO!!! come the picture is kickass awesome!!!!! SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET SOME!!!!!!!!!!
i agree the mask is awsome....it would make me want to drop my gun....what i dont get why be upset on You
Tube the navy seal team wear them they even did a photo shoot. Thank you to all who have served their country past present and future
It would make the poor fella my primary target...
Rather than all of the focus by posters on here of "bad-assedness" maybe we should focus on common sense. If common sense fails us then maybe we should focus on history.
Shock troops die mercilessly. Dressing yourself up all girlie like one is surely a fools game. Assuming that you're scaring anyone but the children of your enemy is stupid. You've come to fight grown men with guns , right? Then further pissing them off by scaring the little kids & women is most definitely the work of fools.
You get your ideas of war and peace from video games and T.V. and your common senses are still somewhere on lay-away.
I doubt the French trooper was wearing that mask to scare women and children. Soldiers have been painting themselves blues since the Picts fought the Romans, I find a trooper in blackface more intimidating. If it scared any of the Jihadists, more power to him. A lot of the Jihadists are also wearing masks, just ones that are not so cool. Some of you should just stop whining.
Actually Chick Binder from one perspective [obviously not yours], that isn’t such a bad idea! I like these masks and the photo is great ... and your idea this would scare away children is my point. Who do these maggot cowardly Islamic insurgents surround themselves with as human shields? It would be Women they demand not be educated and Children! So if this mask scares them away; who would that leave for this soldier to take out? Again, I love this photo and this mask on this soldier.
We are here to shoot and kill you if necessary, saving innocent men, women, and children from Islamic infiltration. I am holding a large semi automatic rifle, I just jumped out of a helicopter, but oh no, I left my mask on? I'm sorry, my bad. Didn't mean to frighten you...
They're not saving anyone from 'Islamic infiltration'. Most of Mali is muslim, they're simply not extremists like the whackos that took over their land and are now getting their ass kicked by France.
Actually, they are.
Islamism and extremism is spreading - that's spreading Islam - and countering THAT is the biggest challenge the west faces by far.
“This is unacceptable behavior” -- are you kidding me? What, you want him to wear a Clown mask? Because SOLDIERS should look friendly and inviting -- god forbid a SOLDIER look intimidating.
Col. Thierry Burkhard -- sir, you are an idiot.
Clown masks, now that would be f'd up
A clown mask would be kind of creepy or maybe like Chuckie?
Think of the uproar if he'd worn a Hello Kitty bandanna.
I think the photo is beautiful and terrible, as all great and truly moving photography should be.
I'm with the photographer. First, I hope they don't even try to figure out who it was, and if they do try, I hope they fail.
clown masks could still work, look
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m404/ron_album69/Payday-The-Heist-review-perfect-for-co-op-fans_zps2b2c1be3.jpg
An army of clowns wearing body armor would be a fearful sight as round after round has no effect on their advance. As they grab onto you, no bullet is needed because fear is the factor of your death.
I found this funny, too:
"But this image has a more chilling effect, somehow, perhaps because it signifies the conundrum of war: the liberating army as a symbol of freedom, but also of looming death"... so the FAMAS he's carrying doesn't show "looming death"?
It looks like a mask to me.. Seriously he doesn't look like a skeleton.. Whoever wrote this article needs a reality check..
The picture is composed beautifully, it's content explains the circumstances it was taken in and the guy creates allure and mystery.. Nothing is cut off at joints, the depth of field is amazing because you can still make out what is in the background.. The mask expresses they smile in the face of death.. However he does not make the mask, nor does the mask make the picture..
Sadden I am with you, the writer was trying to spin the picture to make people look closer to make the readers minds see what the writer is trying to portray through words- when in reality the writer is flamboyantly blowing crap out of proportion to say in my kindest words..
I lost a brother in law in Afghanistan, my husband fell apart- I have another brother in law getting ready to deploy in a couple weeks.. Each one of the boys went in to different branches.. Brother in laws went in to army and navy, the husband went in to the marines. If this was my in-laws I would blow this picture up in to a 16x20 if not bigger and frame it for my living room as a reminder of what these boys/men do for our country everyday..
I agree Sadden... and as a former soldier... This pic has Time Magazine written all over it. I might save this pic... it is "eerily" cool... sent a chill down me spine. Also good point on the Weapon.. I would say I want one but I know "Daddy" Obama wont let me have it. (Neither will my wife for that matter *sheesh*)
really stupid to go killing and be offended for looking like death.... isnt that what they were about to do there? they were there to kill or be killed sn't that what death is? trying to mask the truth is kind of stupind. french man, we all know you are a soldier, and soldiers go into war to do the death work. do not get offended for watching the mirror.
"they were there to kill or be killed sn't that what death is?"
"The object of war is not to die for your country... the object of war is to let the other son of a bith die for his..." General Gorge S. Patton
Truer words were never spoken!
Excuse me, but are soldiers supposed to play nice? Are we supposed to just drop heartfelt leaflets on terrorists, explaining we know they are misunderstood and if they give themselves up, they can live on the American dole, like all the other immigrants who walk into this country whining about persecution?
If all the people who have run away, banded together and actually fought the sobs, do you think those countries would be the s--tholes they are?
I guess they think nice happy faces are more acceptable when killing people...
The first time a French soldier has ever looked intimidating and they're disappointed....
That is the funniest, yet most true post I have read on this MB, in a looooong time. Great post!!
@aelegre: The award for the funniest yet most accurate post goes to YOU! Well played Sir, Well played.
Should be standard equipment for all troops.
The bandanna is an accessory for the game Call of Duty. I would imagine plenty of our troops have them already.
Wow. Seriously. Soldiers are suppose to be scary to the people they fight. Who knows - maybe they'll run away instead. Isn't that a good thing? They're not going in to make friends. They're going in for a 'total reconquest of Mali' as the story says.
It's a skull. Big deal. Unless the dude is some sort of civilian liason, shock and awe is part of the game.
Great pic, by the way. I'd be proud if I took one like that.
Consider the source...... Think of the leadership the French have had over the years... Well Napoleon was Corsican, not French, so he doesn't count <g> . Think off all the surrender jokes people tell about the French. The white trousers so they can be used as surrender flags.... French surplus rifles... never fired once... So here they get some troopers with some elan and the generals and politicians want to censure them.
Merde!
Jim,
You start your post with a comment about the French leadership, but than you proceed to insult all the French.
Wasn't that what the commander of the Old Guard said, when he was asked by the British to surrender ?
Rafal W - Thank you! You prove my point. The Poilus and the other militare have shown they can fight - if their leaders have the backbone to not surrender. That seems to be the case implied here.... when an individual soldier shows the enemy his "game face" or "War face", the generals and politicians think it is the wrong behaviour.
Remember... "the way is Forward!"
Actually, Jim, Corsica had been ceded to France shortly before Napoleon was born. . .
Yet one more quagmire. The French have no idea what they are getting themselves into. As an American I'll just say I don't want any part of this "intervention". I'm not really happy with the logistics support side. This is going to be their Afghanistan.
As long as it's not their Vietnam. We don't need to be in Mali.
The French ALREADY had their "Vietnam"-- in Viet Nam.
Would seem to set the right mood for terrorists in Mali. Since we can not negotiate or debate with these people, psychological warfare is critical. They need to understand, in their gut, that terrorism will be their death.
And virgins - always in short supply in French colonies - their everlasting reward. . .
The officer complaining about the outfit probably is a French socialist and thinks it is bad taste, what with the Mali terrorists not having internet access to play Call of Duty.
Personally I think it is kick a$$.
Besides, if it makes one of those scumbags about to shoot him stop for a second so he can drop the guy first, then more power to him.
At the end of the day though, the French are there to stop people who routinely chop the hands off of people who disagree with them. People who shoot women in the face for going to school, or destroy thousand year old temples because they were built by people who worshiped Allah with a different worded Koran. So those bastards deserve a bullet between the eyes from a guy who looks like death.
That has to be the coolest looking soldier ever. Those mask should be standard issue for our troops
lol i just posted almost the exact same comment.
I agree!!!!! bad a$$ looking soldier.. very cool.
Our shariah enemies aren't objecting to it. They are happy to take the fight to the unbelievers. We'll bring it.
It's not like we're burning Korans...
Soldiers throughout history have worn implements, ornaments and garb to frighten the enemy...it is a part of a warrior....and appropriate for the soldiers persona.
Looks pretty damn cool to me. Should be standard issue.
I'm relieved to see that I'm not alone in finding anyone being "offended" by this never mind being "newsworthy" absolutely ridiculous! Get a grip! If you can't handle reality...sheesh!
so it's OK for the French to say "we won't leave any pockets of resistance..." but the soldier can't look intimidating?
For Terrorist -a cool mask to see! I'm sure the military has a standard. Get a grip.
He should look like death because, to terrorists, that is exactly what he brings.
Leave it to the French to think otherwise.
Don't kid yourself, he'd be in trouble if he was with the US Army and that photo got out.
Of course, if he tortured people by waterboard... I mean using,"enhanced interrogation techniques," he'd be fine.
Oh, and for all you Neocons who claim waterboarding is not torture, let's not forget we (as in the Good Ol' US of A) convicted Japanese of the war crime of waterboarding our soldiers and sailors and executed them for it.
we were talking about the cool looking mask bro
The upper brass/ people in charge of the military are a bunch of limp wristed wimps. They are warriors. They should be out butchering people. Not working on their people skills and being PC.
General Patton said: "we're going to rip out their living Goddamned guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We're going to murder those lousy Hun c_cks_ckers by the bushel-f_ing-basket!"
I guess this is what happens in a world where the military is more concerned about how homos are treated in the military, instead of being concerned about how many of the enemy we slaughter. The military should be Medieval.
JAPANESE? what Japanese are in gitmo?
are you dredging up WW2? LAME!!!!!!!
lets see what can i dredge up thats 70 years old and try to embarrass people who werent even born yet...LAME
What a bunch of BS. This man is a soldier. Hes supposed to look bad ass and menacing. So what he found a cool bandana, deal with it. I would much rather have soldiers looking tough and ready for action rather than looking like they just got off work from the Geek Squad. Besides he wasnt posing a guy just snapped a pic and that was that. The fact that there is even a discussion about it blows my mind. If you live such a sad exsistance that the highlight of your day is to argue about what a soldier uses to keep dust out of his face well..... All I can say to that is get a life and find something important to talk about. WOW !!!!!