2007-09-21 02:58:58 · 9 answers · asked by plenum222 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Great answers all, and thanks...
Both officer and soldier as a part of his oath swears to "...(I will) support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..." We should hope that our soldiers will soon bring their arms against those "domestic enemies" who have already corrupted the Constitution beyond repair as have this abhorrent, illegal, and corrupt Bush administration.
2007-09-23 05:03:45 · update #1
Defending the Constitution. When you take the oath you agree to obey the orders of the President of the United States and all officers appointed over you, but you agree to do so in accordance with regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. No officer, not even the President of the United States, can lawfully order a soldier to do something that is contrary to the UCMJ. Any soldier finding himself or herself in that position has the right and the obligation to refuse the order on the grounds that it is unlawful.
2007-09-21 03:08:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 14⤊ 0⤋
Defending the Constitution comes FIRST in the Oath.
Then you swear to obey the orders of the President of the United States and all officers appointed over you.
BUT you agree to do so in accordance with the Laws of the United States, and the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
No officer can lawfully order a soldier to do something that is contrary to the UCMJ. Any soldier finding himself or herself in that position has the right and the obligation to refuse the order on the grounds that it IS unlawful.
I did so way back in 1988
2007-09-21 10:23:06 · answer #2 · answered by mariner31 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
None of the above.
Your average soldier on the battlefield has, as his #1 priority, surviving.
But as far as your inane question is concerned, read the Military Oaths of Allegiance, and see for yourself which comes first:
Here is the Officer's version:
"I, {insert name here}, do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Here is the Enlisted version:
"I, (state your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. (So help me God)."
2007-09-21 10:19:34 · answer #3 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The first would be defending the Constitution. There has not been a single person court martial for disobeying orders that might jeopardizes the unit, self, and nation. If you were in that situation then proceed to the legal staff and report of such. They will handle the rest. However the since the president's duty is written in the constitution and he is the commander in chief then you have to obey his order as long as it doe not jeopardize the unit, self, and nation.
2007-09-28 22:57:04 · answer #4 · answered by redhotchillidawg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OATH OF ENLISTMENT
"I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD"
2007-09-21 10:25:48 · answer #5 · answered by Pey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are sworn to the constitution first and the president second. If they had to choose, they are obligated to defend the constitution.
2007-09-21 10:07:13 · answer #6 · answered by Pfo 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
The first mission of the solider is to complete his mission, but if there are unethical order given he can always refuse to do the mission. Just like in Vietnam when they lined up innocent civilians at Mei Lei, the Lt. had the option to deny to carry out those orders. He could have just taken them into custody and processed them as POW's. There are always options and soldiers have to use critical thinking in order to achieve the missions, nothing in the military usually goes as planned and you have to learn to improvise.
You have to remember that it is guys in suits back at home calling the shots running wars. The soldiers are the ones who pay the price for the mistakes.
2007-09-21 10:09:57 · answer #7 · answered by railer01 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Defending the Constitution.
If his commander-in-chief orders him to commit a criminal act he is obligated to refuse.
2007-09-21 10:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Constitution is first.
2007-09-21 10:40:56 · answer #9 · answered by Bob D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋