Andrew Holmes, a former soldier from Boise, is speaking out about his war crimes and his time in prison. He was the youngest member of what came to be known as the “kill team” from Washington’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Holmes was convicted of murdering an unarmed Afghan teen, possessing a severed finger and smoking hashish. He is now back home after being released from prison.
Now 25 and free for the first time in five-and-a-half years, he’s got a lot to say -- especially about the U.S. Army.
“I was an expendable piece and they definitely expended me,” Holmes said.
Holmes did express some remorse over killing the Afghan teen. “I feel bad for his family," he said. "But, man, it’s a combat zone. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and I apologize for it.”
As for the next chapter in his life, Holmes said, “I’m trying to find out where I fit in this world because right now I have no idea.”
Holmes was just 18 when he was sent to Afghanistan and assigned to a team leader he once described as a “psychopath.” He said there was a leadership vacuum and junior soldiers took the fall.
