Show of HandsShow of Hands

MrMilkdud June 4th, 2014 4:56pm

You're in the military and get orders to go fight in what you consider to be an unjust war. Is there a good chance you'd desert? Not just consider it, but actually do it.

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vin woof
06/05/14 4:38 pm

Only the ignorant enlist these days

Pauln95klkkk
06/05/14 3:11 pm

If you are not prepared to follow all legal orders (even if you object), don't join the military.

kermie gaytopia
06/04/14 8:04 pm

I'd never be in that position in the first place but yes, I would.

Maynard Londor
06/04/14 6:16 pm

I'd desert. I refuse to be knowingly placed in a situation where I'm at high risk of being forced to kill another individual. I just will not do it.

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EarthMunkey The Golden Rule. Always.
06/04/14 1:52 pm

I would stand and resist.

I am in the military and this thought goes through my mind often.

The most frequent thought is if the military had to attempt to disarm the public... (SCREW THAT CRAP!!!) ...it's suicide.

15 years down...5 to go.

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EarthMunkey The Golden Rule. Always.
06/04/14 1:55 pm

I am not one to go awol. I just couldn't do it. I think about my guys more than myself when I think of the military. The next 5 years are for them. That last day is for me. =) "Retire" at 39 then go start the next part of my life.

MrMilkdud
06/04/14 3:51 pm

Why do you say it would be suicide if the military tried to disarm the public?

MrMilkdud
06/04/14 3:57 pm

I always hear from people who oppose gun ownership that the military could easily disarm or overcome an armed populace and therefore individual gun ownership for the purpose of justified opposition is irrelevant.

EarthMunkey The Golden Rule. Always.
06/04/14 3:58 pm

I know if the military came to take my guns...they would be in for a fight.

Most of my friends think along the same lines as me.

Plus my views on a lot would change if the government started trying to disarm the public.

EarthMunkey The Golden Rule. Always.
06/04/14 4:00 pm

Sure the military could do it but the issue is that as US citizens the majority of us wouldn't do it.

MrMilkdud
06/04/14 4:04 pm

Ok, when you said it would be suicide I assumed that you meant the military lacked the ability to actually do it, reheard less of the will of individual soldiers.

MrMilkdud
06/04/14 4:05 pm

*regardless, not "reheard less"

swervin Maryland
06/04/14 1:28 pm

Nope. I vowed to follow the orders of the officers appointed over me and that's what I do. The only time I wouldn't is if I was ordered to fire on Americans.

skinner Jersey City
06/04/14 11:57 am

I never intend to join the military because I'm a pacifist but if I were to end up there from what I understand there is a strong bond between servicemen which would most likely eliminate any thoughts I could have about deserting.

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rlands
06/04/14 11:32 am

No. If I join the military I am making that commitment to fulfill my orders and advance the goals of our nation. And that's why I am not planning on joining the military.

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EarlyBird Portland
06/04/14 11:47 am

⬆️⬆️ Beautifully said. My thoughts exactly.

PartyFree Nowhere in Particular
06/04/14 11:30 am

I have too much of a sense of responsibility to desert.

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commonsense America isnt racist
06/04/14 10:37 am

I would stay until my term is up. Then leave.

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Kay41 the Midwest
06/04/14 10:07 am

I would really like to think I wouldn't.

chickencookie disgusted
06/04/14 10:02 am

Did you know the WH is dismissing claims by his fellow soldiers. Im going to start needing medical attention if I read any more.

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political Georgia
06/04/14 10:06 am

I truly believe the president has forgotten which side he is fighting on.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 11:03 am

You guys know he was promoted while in captivity...twice, right? That's not Obama's doing. That was from his commanders. I wonder if there is more to this story.

political Georgia
06/04/14 11:09 am

No! I did not know that. What happened with him? He was a deserter who helped the enemy make bombs. Stay tune folks! This is going to be an interesting story until another scandal occurs next week.

chickencookie disgusted
06/04/14 11:49 am

It is protocol that he be promoted. Not until he was deemed "deserter" would that have changed. They explained it last night.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 12:01 pm

Ah. Thanks for the info! You learn something everyday.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 1:06 pm

Promotions: POW personnel continue to be considered for promotion along with their contemporaries. Policy provides for each missing or captured officer/enlisted member to be considered for promotion to the next higher grade when they are eligible.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 1:07 pm

to the next higher grade when they are eligible. The eligibility for officers is based on the date of rank in their current grade. For enlisted members, eligibility is based on time in grade and time in service.

Diogenes Not Biden It
06/04/14 5:18 pm

RJ, he was never listed as either a deserter or POW.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 5:39 pm

Do why is he now, in the court of public opinion because of political TV? I want more facts on this issue, not speculation.

Diogenes Not Biden It
06/04/14 5:50 pm

Exactly. The media began to label him as a POW in 2009 and it was really the epitome of newspeak.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 6:12 pm

Awwwwe. This is going to take some dissecting.

Diogenes Not Biden It
06/04/14 6:20 pm

It's a scandal! LOL

OhTheIrony Learning from you
06/04/14 10:00 am

I would desert if I was forced to kill innocent people. I'd rather die than have that on my conscience.

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MrMilkdud
06/04/14 10:01 am

I should have been more clear. This isn't about specific orders you may be given because you haven't been shipped out yet and aren't in the field. This is just about your assessment of the entire war.

MachoMatt84 Climbing Mountains
06/04/14 10:05 am

Based on your classification here, I say no. There's other variables to be considered too though. Hard to say on this basis alone.

MrMilkdud
06/04/14 10:07 am

I agree- it's hard to completely lay out a scenario like this within the character limit. This is just about people's general dispositions.

OhTheIrony Learning from you
06/04/14 10:08 am

Hmm. I believe this depends on the degree of injustice.

If I was a German during WW2, I would never fight Hitler's war to create a master race. I would surely desert.

If it was the Iraq 2003 war, I would focus on preventing civilian casualties.

OhTheIrony Learning from you
06/04/14 10:10 am

Great question btw. Really made me think.

MrMilkdud
06/04/14 9:58 am

Yes, but you answered the one that was attacked by autocorrect.

RJ1969 SoCal
06/04/14 11:01 am

I hate it when that happens!