Could you push the Nuclear Button?

I was a Programmer Test Station (PTS) operator for the Pershing Missile System ( 1rst Plt C Battery 3rd84th FA 70-73). We on the firing crew discussed this issue on numerous occasions. The answer was yes we would do our jobs and launch our missiles if ordered to do so. Each time the klaxon went off we had no idea if it was for real or a test drill until the missile was counted down to two minutes and holding. So the answer is yes I would.

Like the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, you have to believe that the loss of American lives can be reduced by destroying the enemy before he can destroy you,

I served in the cold war. That question was always on our minds. I was on an Attack Submarine so that question was mute. But here is my slant on the subject. Submarine launched missiles are not a first response weapon. By the time they get the launch order we are fully engaged in Mutually Assured Destruction. And after the last missile was away we knew the our families where gone because our homeport was on the first strike list and the rest of the country was filled with 300 million well done steaks.

I would like to quote senator Zell Miller to answer your question: "I say bomb the hell out of them. If there's collateral damage, so be it. They certainly found our civilians to be expendable".

Ok let me throw a rench in this you have a tango in the streets of anywhere usa with some small suitcase glow in the dark bang boom boom or nasty bug crap and he has your loved one now you have to make your mind up and you have a split sec to do it cause you have to take you loved one out to take the tango out to stop him or her from doing his thing with what they are trying to do ( yea I know it is sick but this is the stuff that I think of most of the time. But it is right there with pushing the button but just more in the line with today's time. Frame just my opinion is all.

I would have to ask the question, what is the consequences of not doing so, do is mean if you are negligent everyone else will die including yourself, some times you have to do things to protect the lives of others and yourself. When missiles are in the hand of evil doers, you most stop evil in anyway you can. I'd say yes.

Can I pick my own targets? Seriously though. If I was assigned to a Minuteman, then it is my duty to push the button. Millions of Americans would counting on me to do my duty. SO Yes.

Look at it this way. Our national policy (right now) is no first use. So assuming we continue to follow that policy, then the order to nuke someone is because they nuked us first. You also have to factor in the training element. People who do that job drill on this stuff so it can be done with little to no thought. Also consider the disassociation. They run their launch sequence, but do not see the results. Combine all of that together and I think it would be done if the order came down.

Yes.

If I received a valid, authentic order, I would absolutely execute the launch as directed. Having been in command of a SSBN and other strategic weapons related duty stations, I know that such an action is not taken lightly and failure to execute the mission would likely lead to significant loss of life back home.