Have You Ever Killed Anybody?

Question

I just came back onto my camp here in Kuwait and as I was standing behind the barriers while my vehicle was searched I was listening to some soliders talking about things that upset them back home. Among the list was
People who say they suppor the troops and not the war.
People who ask if it's hot over here.
And the thing they said they hate the most is when people ask them if they've ever killed anybody.

As a soldier and a veteran I can also say that I hate that question. It's awkward and I really don't like to talk about the things I've seen and done over here.

Any other vets out there dislike that question?

I've never been in direct combat, but, Like my good pal River Rat, have been in fire fights from a distance. Mine were from moving vehicles in convoys and, like him, I really don't know if I have killed anybody. It's hard to explain those situations to people who haven't been there. I have so much respect for the infantry boys, they're the epitime of what people think of when the think of a soldier.

Answer 1

I live in Liberal Northern California next to Berkeley and I hear the same stuff all the time. I was in the Marines during the last war when these nuts were in the streets putting flowers in our weapons and chanting just give peace a chance. I was spit on yelled at and cursed. It’s the same peoples same stupid saying.

Yes, I killed the enemy of my day “communist” and today the enemy is Islam extremists, but still the enemy of America and our way of life.

Back to your question “support the troops and not the war”. This is an oxymoron statement from the liberals how can you support the troops and not the war? This is a false statement from the liberals they hate the military always have. This statement came from the sixties and the communist party, only for us older gray hair guys know we were there. Now the Islam extremists have taken to the liberals and their false statements. As during world war two if you repeat a false statement enough it becomes the truth same today.

The liberals know they cannot say they don’t support the troops so they came up with this old talking point again. I wonder how many liberals would kill the Islam enemy before they killed they own family?

I can say this much we Americans support the troops and killing of Islam extremists and the war effort. The vote last week on illegal aliens pretty wells states the facts we true blue American have had enough of the liberals and their goodie two shoes crap. We are taking back America!!!

I tell every person that asks me that stupid question a thing or two about winning wars you either support the whole effort or you are defeating the purpose of the war machine. I wish I was young again I’d be there with you.

Answer 2

Sounds like some of those soldiers are a bit too sensitive.
What's wrong with asking that? It's a valid question.
What's wrong with people who support the troops and not the war? Fine, we won't support the troops, either.
What's wrong with asking if it's hot over there?

None of those questions would bother me.
I'm sure there are some who dislike it, but most are man enough to answer it, I would hope.

Answer 3

My father served in 3 wars, growing up I never asked , I already knew...I heard it in his nightmares...he was most disturbed about a child he had to kill...the child was about 6 years old and walked into the camp with a bomb strapped to his little body...my father never got over it and it haunted him for the rest of his life...we never talked about how many people he killed...It just seemed wrong to drag it up. He did what he had to do and I will forever be grateful for it...but I would have NEVER asked him (or anyone else THAT question). I feel funny about even bringing it up here and now...like I'm violating something...

Thank you for your service..without soldiers like you we would not even have a 4th of July to celebrate...
My brother in-law is in Iraq on his 3rd tour, I have never asked and never will...

Answer 4

The only combat I saw was as a River Rat in Vietnam. If I killed anyone, it was from a distance and I really don't know, but I do know that I was trying to. War is not pleasant, but sometimes it is necessary. I do hate to try to answer that question but it's mostly because of the absolutely blank look of totally not understanding when I say that my gunfights were from a boat into the jungles and rice paddies, so I honestly don't know whether I killed anyone or not, but I sure hope so, because they killed the other three guys on my boat and got me my purple heart

Answer 5

I wish I could be given the chance to shake you hand, Sir. God Bless you and all who Serve. And my thoughts are with your Families as well. We would never have the freedoms that we are about to celebrate. Without the determination of Proud Americans, like yourself! Finish the job. And come home safe!
God Bless America

Answer 6

I'm a vet, and when I was on active duty I never asked the Vietnam Vets what it was like in Vietnam. I figured it was a memory they were trying to forget. When I was in the VA Hospital a while back, I met Vietnam and Iraqi vets who wanted to do nothing but talk about their experiences. We were on common ground, so I talked to them for hours and listened for hours. It was an experience I wouldn't trade for all the damn oil in southern Iraq.

Answer 7

I killed myself. I'm a ghost, Boo, did I scare you?
Seriously, I respect any man or woman who serves in the military. I don't care if you saw combat or not. You have my respect. I served during a time of peace. I saw more action as a police officer than in the service. My family served in WW2, Korea, Viet Nam, Bosnia, and Iraq. My youngest brother just retired after 26 years when he returned from 18 months in Iraq, and moved on to a position that still serves our country. God bless everyone of you, and thank you for your service.
When asked that question, I found it best to just say yes and change the subject, If they persist, just say "yes, and I promised myself there would be one more if anyone asked me that stupid question again" and walk away.

Answer 8

Sorry guys, the press keeps pushing the the weak minded into equating the deaths and false support.
Thank you and your family for you service .
We've had local soldiers come home and voice the same publicly and the local press blows them off like they know more than our troops.
I pray for the troops safety and victory every day and know you won't let us down.
GOD BLESS.

Answer 9

If you haven't already, try reading "On Killing" by former LTC Dave Grossman. I don't agree with all his conclusions, but he makes some excellent observations about how killing in wartime affects the soldier, and how to deal with it. You can find it on Amazon or in many bookstores.

Answer 10

I accidentally asked my ex-boyfriend that one once and he was in the military. He got pretty upset that I asked and then he said that no soldier would answer that type of question and that it was horrible of me to ask. I learned my lesson.

But I'm still very curious.