Stop-Loss on The Border

[Border Intern]

I am currently interning at the the production office for the CBC show The Border. The new season starts next Monday at 9pm. The first episode is about stop-loss and three American soldiers that try to cross the Niagra river to seek refugee status in Canada after being stop-lossed. I thought you might find this episode interesting and it would be good to hear your feedback on the show.
Thanks.
- Border Intern

 

[geo]

Stop lossed ???
mind telling me what is that supposed to mean?

American soldiers who cross over to Canada are "deserters".
They are (or were) volunteers when the, of their own free will, enrolled into the US military.
Having joined the US military of their own free will, they have to know that they were at risk of being deployed into an operational theatre.
They are not Conscientious Objectors.  Conscientious objectors are those people who were forced into the military (US Selective service system AKA Drafted) not people who willingly enrolled.

If these US soldiers "stop lossed" themselves, then - you are suggesting that they figured that they had nothing more to benefit / gain for themselves from the US military and the trade skill training they received.

Umm... don't think I need to watch this show

 

[HItorMiss]

Geo

Stop Loss is the "hidden" draft. it is the methid by which the US military denies service members releasing and holds them in the military. I believe it's a clause in their contracts. I am not 100% all the details but it's  very common practice currently.

As for them coming to Canada you are still correct even though there TOS would be complete the DOD/Military has exercised it's contractual right in the Stop Loss clause meaning that they are still held in service and are thus deserting.

 

[Border Intern]

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but the definition on Wikki is: "Stop-loss, in the United States military, is the involuntary extension of a service member's active duty service under the enlistment contract in order to retain them beyond their initial end of term of service (ETS) date."

For the episode (entitled Stoploss) the synopsis is: Three American soldiers plunge into the Niagara River and swim to Canada.  Deserters, refusing to return to Iraq under the U.S.’s “stop loss” policy, they  seek refugee status in Canada.  Major Mike Kessler and his Immigration and Customs Security (ICS) Squad are forced to deal with the fallout -- from Canadian anti-war protestors to an incensed American four-star general.  One of the soldiers has a psychotic breakdown forcing Major Kessler to face his worst nightmare.

 

[Old Sweat]

From my limited knowledge of the fine details of American military law and contracts the authority to invoke that provision is vested in the civilians that control the uniformed services.

I know we are talking about a TV drama and artistic license is being exercised, but the people who rise to the rank of four star general in any real military are not going to create an international incident by publicly flying off the handle over three deserters seeking asylum in a foreign country. Moreover they are not apt to get down in the trenches arguing with a foreign official several grades junior to them.

Last, as someone who was born in Fort Erie, good luck swimming across the Niagara River. I know it has been done including by my father when he was a young lad, but to suggest that three random deserters would have the swimming ability and the local knowledge is a nose stretcher.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[canadian_moose]

In the US army when you join you sign a three contract, but there's a clause where for 5 years after your contract ends you can be recalled into service. And its not one of those fine print clauses, when you sign up you know what stop loss is.

 

[the 48th regulator]

Maybe we should wait for the episode to come out before we critique.

They could be three navy seals, with top secret information.  The 4 star, could be the one that knows about the info, and is trying every desperate measure to save his ass and the get the guys back.  So he makes it a personal mission to go to Canada and get 'em.....

Sheesh..

dileas

tess

 

[Old Sweat]

Tess,

Good point, however I had just listened to Radio One this morning where the programming included how to be elected as a back bencher and earn big bucks without having to do any work. This was followed by a suggestion that you get on the bad side of your party leader, so he/she doesn't give you anything to do. This was followed by Quirks and Quarks doing a bit on how the Green Shift is good for you.

I apologize for being snarky, but I was provoked.

 

[The Bread Guy]

They could be three navy seals, with top secret information.  The 4 star, could be the one that knows about the info, and is trying every desperate measure to save his ass and the get the guys back.  So he makes it a personal mission to go to Canada and get 'em.....

(in deep ominous voice) "....one way, or another."  With paesano Sly Stallone as the General maybe? 

I'd ask for royalties of some sort if ANY of this gets into the show, bud.  ;D