If you were a soldier in Iraq or afganistan could you kill?

Question

could you kill a child or baby if you thought they were carrying a bomb?

Answer 1

If I really thought it was them or me, I think I would have to.

Answer 2

Stupid question really.

Soldiers are trained and briefed on when they can and can't open fire.

The vast majority of users on YA are not soldiers nor ever will be.

It is very easy to give answers to questions such as this from the safety of your armchair or computer desk.

Soldiers do not generaly enjoy killing and most training these days is on how to prevent others killing each other.

British soldiers are in Iraq and Afganistan for the protection of the local population, especially the children and babies.

If insurgents use those children to carry bombs then it is them that is to blame for their deaths.

But in answer to your question, if there was a threat to those whom it was my duty to defend, then yes I would open fire.

Answer 3

If you are in a position of kill or be killed then you know which option you are going to take. Using the situation of a child or a baby is an emotive one but the bastards who use them for such purposes are less then worthless in life.

Soldiers are, by definition, trained to kill. It's what sets them apart from the rest of us. Any soldier in that position will act in the way they see fit, and that way is to ensure that you, and those around you, stay alive.

Answer 4

Quite happily. Even if I didn't think they were carrying a bomb. There are too many people on the planet. Kill everyone until the population is at a level where it's not too big a drain on resources. I think the human race should be culled. Take the numbers down so that only me and my handful of friends are left.

Answer 5

Actually I'm not sure the US army bring kids on the field...

But for sure, If I was a soldier in Iraq or Afganistan, I could kill americans without any problem... They can stay home in their best country in the world...

Answer 6

yes of course it's called doing the job your paid for, if they are carrying a bomb they are no longer an innocent child they are a terrorist who should be prevented from creating terror, 1 well aimed bullet can save the lives of many other INNOCENT children, it's WAR it's not nice, it's dirty and unpleasent but its part of life that soldiers have to kill to save lives

Answer 7

I would presume soldiers are trained to kill under certain circumstances. I wouldn't know until i was in that situation weather or not. but it would probably depend on the circumstances if they had a bomb that would kill hundreds then it would be stopping the weapon. so yes i probably would under these circumstances.

Answer 8

yes i would have no problem in doing it if it meant upholding peace and preventing innocents getting killed

i would be happy to kill anywhere in the world let alone iraq or afganistan if it meant my family would be safer.

Answer 9

taxedman u are a idiot shooting the president or blair is so assassine i wonder if u have any intelectual thought processes at all.........i culdnt shoot a baby or child unless the evidence was irrefutable and then i would for the sake of the lives the bomb would affect.

Answer 10

I was and I did kill in the 1st Gulf conflict (not a child)
if you are at war with someone who would take your life without hesitating you have to take their life 1st any hesitation not only puts you at risk but also you comrades.

Answer 11

Trust me, you'd be amazed at what people can do. Please don't get involved in deep philosophical discussion about stuff like this. All that stuff goes out the window in less than seconds. The most powerful drive in the whole world is just to stay alive.