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The breakdown in the COM could result in the death of your comrades - and that is unconscionable.
A few weeks ago 3 companies of Dutch soldiers in Afghanistan fired upon their own men with several casualties as a result.
Our government is investigating how this happened, but obviously the officers made a mistake. The operation was done in the cover of the night and somehow they positioned themselves in such a way that they ended up in each other's field of fire. I personally would never open fire unless I'm absolutely positive who it is I am firing upon, regardless if I'm ordered to open fire.
Originally Posted by GreatdayA few weeks ago 3 companies of Dutch soldiers in Afghanistan fired upon their own men with several casualties as a result.
Our government is investigating how this happened, but obviously the officers made a mistake. The operation was done in the cover of the night and somehow they positioned themselves in such a way that they ended up in each other's field of fire.
I personally would never open fire unless I'm absolutely positive who it is I am firing upon, regardless if I'm ordered to open fire.
While these types of friendly fire incidents occur, the fact remains, at night, when fire is coming towards you, you may not know who is doing the firing
You still have an obligation, when you are in the military, to follow orders.
You still have an obligation, when you are in the military, to follow orders.
Period
And here I thought that people joined the army to protect loved ones from harm but I guess I'm wrong; people should only join the army to blindly follow orders.
BTW don't you Americans have the right to bear arms to defend yourself against your own government and thus also your own army? I thought that this was exactly how America became 'free' America by rebelling against the British government.
And here I thought that people joined the army to protect loved ones from harm but I guess I'm wrong; people should only join the army to blindly follow orders.
When one joins the military, yes, they have to follow orders.
BTW, that must have been a heck of a fire fight your guys were in - 200 / 300 troops firing at one another -
When one joins the military, yes, they have to follow orders.
In that case America should still be a British colony.
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BTW, that must have been a heck of a fire fight your guys were in - 200 / 300 troops firing at one another -
I dunno, they called themselves alpha company, beta company and delta company. I don't concern myself that much over small details, but there were at least 3 groups.
The breakdown in the COM could result in the death of your comrades - and that is unconscionable.
Excellent observation, Greatday. If after any order is given, you have to think, 'uh, should I obey it (ie: fire at those guys?)', you're probably a deadman before you get done with the thought. You are conditioned to react and rely on your training rather than think; that's just part of being in the military, like it or not. . Lou
I dunno, they called themselves alpha company, beta company and delta company.
I don't concern myself that much over small details, but there were at least 3 groups.
You said you were in the military - you should be aware of the differences - so, was it a squad, platoon or company TD?
Excellent observation, Greatday. If after any order is given, you have to think, 'uh, should I obey it (ie: fire at those guys?)', you're probably a deadman before you get done with the thought. You are conditioned to react and rely on your training rather than think; that's just part of being in the military, like it or not. . Lou
Thank you - the expression "think and your dead" is a rather famous, and accurate statement within the military.
Originally Posted by Greatday And here I thought that people joined the army to protect loved ones from harm but I guess I'm wrong; people should only join the army to blindly follow orders.
BTW don't you Americans have the right to bear arms to defend yourself against your own government and thus also your own army? I thought that this was exactly how America became 'free' America by rebelling against the British government.
The military is a unit. It isn't about 'blindly' following orders, it's about being a cohesive fighting force. You can follow orders and still have a head on your shoulders. A leader that tells you to simply 'execute this prisoner' can be challenged.
You said you would never fire unless fired upon...have you ever been in that situation? Because if not, there's a bunch of people out there that would say what they 'would' do 'if' _______.
You never really know yourself until you're put in such situations and in which case you'd probably be surprised at what you would do to survive.
Some people just aren't made for the military, and that's perfectly fine. However, do not knock people in the military just b/c you didn't like it, or don't agree with it. Your experience doesn't have to bo theirs
Location: Jonquil City (aka Smyrna) Georgia- by Atlanta
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Originally Posted by momlady530
Thank you!!! I don't have the best opinion of the military organization. I'm pretty sure the military choses the path of least sense when doing anything. It takes way too long to get anything done. We definitely need more pay. But I would never, ever, ever insult a military member. The sacrifices they make are incredible.
YOu know the funny thing is when I see all these folks fawning over the "sacrifices" of the military I almost feel guilty. I certainly did not make any sacrifices by joining the USAF. In fact I enjoyed it for the most part. It certainly beat the hell out of anything I could have got from the private sector as a young punk with a high school education! I got more out of it than I put into it.
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I personally would never open fire unless I'm absolutely positive who it is I am firing upon, regardless if I'm ordered to open fire.
And here I thought that people joined the army to protect loved ones from harm but I guess I'm wrong; people should only join the army to blindly follow orders.
In that case America should still be a British colony.
Correct!
