>>Reading about the USS Cole, they had plenty of time to machine gun the the bomb-laden boat into swiss cheese, but the engagement protocols prevented them from firing without the captain or first mate's permission. Very odd.
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>Not really. I don't know about the Navy's policies, but the Army was very strict about when ammunition was even issued, and when it was to be used. When I was on patrol, we had loaded magazines, but the tops were taped over. We were accountable for every round issued, and under strict orders regarding the actual chambering of ammo. Command would rather risk casualties than live-fire incidents.

Where were you on patrol? This would have to be differnt in a war zone (sorryy I mean victory zone) like Iraq?