are soldiers resposible for the deaths they cause or is it the men in charge?

Question

many people would say that it is the soldier's job and they have to do it but don't you think that they may be responsible themselves because they signed up for the job and made their own choice to pull the trigger??

Answer 1

The Nuremberg Trials rejected the defense of subordinates who claimed they were not responsible for the war crimes they committed as directed by superiors.

You can interpret this as you wish -- there are legal and personal aspects of your quesiton, and this explains the legal aspect.

Answer 2

You are familiar with the saying, "I was only following orders." that catch-all statement that some believe absolves them from punishment.
A soldier is just the tool of immediate superiors to preform a task. If that individual doesn't complete that task, he/she puts others in danger. It is not a question of morality, but rather who has given the order (what happened to LT. Calley, anyway?). That's why Pres. Truman had the sign on his desk that said 'The Buck Stops Here', meaning he was responsible for everything anyone under his authority did, right or wrong. My, how times have changed!

Answer 3

I gather you've never been in the army nor known anyone in the army.

Soldiers are trained, practically brainwashed to not think for themselves. Would be nice to say they are responsible for their own actions but the reality is, it's the people in charge who hold the ultimate responsibility.

Ideally, we are all responsible, soldier or general, but that would be in a perfect world.

Answer 4

A soldiers kills for the good and peace of the society, and for you to sleep peacefull at your homes. He risks his life for you. He had signed up to serve his motherland and protect his nation.

Answer 5

Believe it or not, the Bible directs Man to defend his country. As long as one is defending his country, his home, his life, his family, there is no guilt, no blame. It is just.