What would, in your opinion, be the defining factor that'd cause you to disobey a direct order?

Question

There are limits to what servicemen & women can tolerate. Especially in this day and age under this particular administration, where you are being asked to do the impossible, and often times the immoral, without the blissfull ignorance of what they can look forward to (hospital bills, telephone hang ups and little to no public financial support) if they even survive at all...

soldiers (from all ranks and positions) can only take so much before the line between what they are told to do and what they will do is crossed. What's your line?

Answer 1

If you disobey a direct order, be prepared to face court-martial. It's that simple. If the order was illegal, you'll be found "not guilty."

The only orders that military members can disobey are illegal ones. They cannot disobey "immoral" ones, or "against self-preservation" ones. Basic Training teaches us that we fight for a higher duty, and that the mission is the priority.

People get ordered to their deaths in combat all the time. If a soldier refuses to go on what he feels is a suicide mission, he'll be brought up on charges of Cowardice in the Face of the Enemy. (Article 99, UCMJ) This can be punished by death, or anything else a court martial may direct.

No one in the US is drafted. Everyone in the military is there voluntarily. But, if you join, you swear an oath to obey the orders of those over you. If you decide to disobey, especially in wartime, you'd better be right, otherwise it will cost you everything.

Answer 2

I have a set code of Morals that are in part due to the fact I was Active Duty DOD. This code states certain reasons that any person can not abide by nor condone and therefore follow an Unjust Command. Dont murder non combatants,dont rape,do not adjust or alter reports. There is a whole list, is actually a book. Code of Military Conduct.There is also the Constitutin one swears to Uphold and Defend. Thats a pretty solid document.
Once a soldier loses grips on the oath that they swore, and uphold with Honor, aint alotta grey area there, in fact, is none.

Answer 3

When you enlist you sign and swear an oath to obey all orders given to you. This is strictly enforced as should be but I agree there are times (usually under stress) where you find yourself inclined to disobey an order and I guarantee you that if you do, you had better have an outstanding reason (and proof if you think the order was wrong) or be faced with the consequences that can happen for failure to follow that order. In war there aren't any excuses. If your ordered into a combat area where you know yours chances of surviving are very slim and you refuse to go I can only say "God" help you as you're committed on your oath to follow that order.
I'm going to give you a simple example that I was in many years ago. I had major problems in getting up in the morning and over slept. I was finally sent to the commanding officer for punishment. I was given a direct order not to be late for work again. Two days later I was facing my commander under an Article 15 and given 30 days restriction to the base. A few days after I completed my restriction I over slept again and again given another Article 15 with another 30 day restriction to the base. I had had it with the punishment that I thought was unfair and snuck off the base in the trunk of a car. After a beer or two, I had second thoughts about what I had done and went back to my base (sneaking in the same way). I think I spent the better part of a week considering what I had done and really felt bad. I even thought about turning myself in for my infraction but decided against that. I had been taught a good lesson and I never over slept another day and followed every order I was given from that day forward. I retired from the military with over 20+ years of service without ever being late for my dutys again. I always remembered three words.... Honor, Duty, Country.

Think your decisions over before you put your foot in your mouth and suffer for your mistakes.

Answer 4

I just returned from a two week AT to Asia. I have almost 20 years in and am a well liked, experienced and effective CPO. After the first week and no problems at all the CWO2 I was assigned to, informed me that he had a project that had to be done. He had a site in a desolate spot that had been overgrown by weeds that needed to be removed. He said the weeds along all the fence lines needed to be pulled by hand. I explained that I was not to good to pull a weed but this trip was supposed to provide me training and I did not believe pulling weeds was what the military was spending over $10k for. CW02 and I took our conversation outside and after a very heated conversation I knew this was "legally" acceptable. I also knew that if the CW02 would do this to me as a Chief, most likely any further resistance on my part would also trickle down to my Junior troops with even worse jobs that "had to be done".

After a huge gut check I did as I was told to spare further escalation that would be passed on to my troops. I informed my OIC by text of what was happening and he asked me to "please not go to the mat over this at least on my level". If it were just me I would accept the consequences and tell the CW02 what he should do with himself (I'm an old dog but yes, not a good example or decision I know) but now it was my Cdr asking me not to and it was my troops that might suffer for my actions.

I was embarrassed and humiliated but to keep the peace I sucked it up and proceeded to the site to pull weeds by hand on my knees. Upon seeing the weeds it was clear they hadn't grown 2 to 3 feet overnight and this was a project the CWO2 had waited for the Reservist arrival to begin working on. Toward the end of day 2 the CWO2 showed up to inspect our (our-I had an E4 working with me) progress. He was shocked at our progress. Originally he claimed to have pulled some of the weeds himself by hand because they had no power tools that would work on this type of project. He was pretty wide eyed when he saw that I had acquired a weed eater. The "intent" of the order was to remove the weeds. His reason for not using power tools was because he didn't have them at his access to do the job.

I carried out the intent of the order. I acquired the tools he was unable to. I finished the job much earlier than anticipated by the CW02. I left the site in better shape than just pulling the grass. I also left the weed eater available to the E4 for future use.

In conclusion; for a CW02 to send a 20 year Chief to do such a task is riddled with issues. I drew upon my Chief's Induction and remembered the word "humility". I did what I was instructed to do (okay so I used a weed eater) I kept my Skipper out of a battle, protected my troops from retaliation and gained an incredible amount of respect from the 18 year old E4 that worked with me. Being ordered to do a job far bellow my pay grade, skill and with no redeeming training, it hurt my pride. My troops still respect me and may even respect me more knowing the details. But to have worked so many years to achieve the Chiefs ranks and to be treated in this manner, I have decided I will never allow this to happen again. I will retire at the end of the year so I guess this was my "defining moment". However, as difficult as it has been I will leave knowing I followed every order and completed every assignment.

Navy Chief

Answer 5

No soldier is obligated to obey an illegal order.
No sergeant or officer who is worth his salt will tell a subordinate to do something that he cannot or will not do himself.

When a serviceman or woman reaches a point where s/he can no longer tolerate the service, s/he is discharged. Sometimes with a medical discharge and sometimes with a discharge which is less-than-honorable.

I would love to see you get drafted, especially if I had the privilege of being your drill sergeant.

Answer 6

If it's unlawful and puts people at unnecessary risk, then you don't obey the order.

If the individual is punishing you unjustly, the best thing to do is execute, and then report it. That way, they get in more trouble (assuming, that is, your leadership isn't messed up).

Answer 7

going against self preservation

Answer 8

To kill an innocent child!

I can kill adults, but I won't kill a child.

Answer 9

to kill a baby