Reply #5: Solatia payments have always been rountine

[teryang]

They are distinguished from payments for damages as a result of combat operations. Generally, payments cannot be paid for injuries due to combat operations under the military claims act. The solatia payments are discretionary by local commanders to try to smooth over the harm caused by such events. An expression of regret for an unintentional or mistaken death or injury accompanied by cash can go a long way in some circumstances. In many others it isn't enough. Some relatives will accept the payment in a charitable spirit of the good intentions and regret that it represents, others may be to aggrieved to be satisfied by anything less than a much larger payment that more nearly represents the scope of their loss. The latter may not be possible under the military claims act in a combat zone.

My opinion is that it is better than nothing, but we should just get the hell out now because the trajedy and grief we have caused goes way beyond what these token gestures are able to repair.