They probably just making shit up, for example the one talking about pistols and laser pointers.
In Saddams Iraq, those with a pistol were seen as having power, and back then the most common form of execution was performed with a pistol.

One day, after we had taken a few casualties from SVIEDs(suicde bombers) tensions were running high and we upped our security procedures. At any rate, we began to have people too close to our convoy, kids and adults.
While i was there we had seven children open fire one us, or were rigged with explosives. We weren't going to take chances.
I didn't want to shoot a child, god no, but if it meant saving my fellow marines, or myself, i would have without hesitation.
I tried to yell at them in arabic to leave, nothing.
I then,pointed the .50 cal,machine gun at them, they laughed and threw rocks. When i asked doc to borrow his M9, and pointed it at the crowd, they scattered like cockroaches. I thank whatever diety out there that i didnt have to kill a kid, not sure if i could,come back from that.
I have seen combat, i have engaged fanantic muslims, and yes i am guilty of joking about it, call it a coping mechanism. But when some one shoots at me, i dont have any sympathy for that person when i killed them, in fact i may have been happy for it, or more likely happy i was alive.
I don't talk about my experience to anyone, other than vets who have been where i was.
Warfare changes a man.
It can humble a man to,live a better life.
Or the demons of his actions can,make him take his own,life.
And for some, who were borderline to begin with, it can set them,over the edge.
I find myself torn between the first two, everday.
Have i done things i shouldn't have? Yes. Like giving Iraqis canned ham and calling it chicken, thats about the worst of it.
One time i punched a kid, maybe 10 or 11, in the face. Why? He pointed a rubber AK47 at me, and I almost shot him. His father shook my hand, and then,proceeded to beat his child for being stupid.

Dont let a couple of wannabes/or possibly true psychos ruin your perception of the mainstream modern combat vet.

Attrocities take place in every war, and on both sides. The key is to not,generilze, and understand that bad people are in,all occupations, not just the military.

Corporal D.
USMC 0311
OIf, 2007-2009