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Imagine that you are a Minuteman or Trident missileer (AF and Navy, respectively). You are fully aware that a few oz's of pressure with your finger WILL kill millions of people. Could you do it?
I know that most of us here are alphas, and our knee-jerk reaction is to say 'of course I could.' That's fine. That might also be accurate. But I'm asking you step back, put yourself in that position, and determine whether or not you ACTUALLY would do so if ordered.
I know that most of us here are alphas, and our knee-jerk reaction is to say 'of course I could.' That's fine. That might also be accurate. But I'm asking you step back, put yourself in that position, and determine whether or not you ACTUALLY would do so if ordered.
Nuclear
Duty
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 71
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For a slightly different perspective, I served as a junior officer in the field artillery during the period when we had tactical nuclear weapons. In addition to the Lance and Pershing missiles, there were nuclear projectiles for the eight inch and 155mm howitzers. Given the doctrine under which we would have employed them, we woud all have been aware of the dire situation first hand necessitating their use. So I think it might have been easier for us than it would be for USAF missileers or Navy SSBN crews.
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SN Greg Wright
I imagine it's a lot easier to shoot at people that can see you and are shooting at you, for sure.
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I have read quite a few responses I would say this it is your job morally and justifiably to not follow through with a order if you think you have justifiable reasons especially when millions of lives are at stake but usually if you get the secret codes to launch its already hit the fan so I would say yes
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Years ago, during the waning days of the Cold War when I served (87-91) friends would ask me. At the time, my mindset was a little different. We had one "mortal" enemy and some smaller ones as well. In those days, I would have said, "Yes, kill em all". Then again, I was an 18,19, 20 year old full of piss and vinegar that was ready to do my duty no questions asked. Now that I am older, I'd like to think I would still do my duty but it's hard to say, never having been placed in such a scenario. I would like to think there are enough safeguards in place that by the time the order gets to you, you don't have to think, you just do. You have a lot of destructive power under your finger, but that's something you should be prepared for prior to being in that position.
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PO2 Mark Evans
SP5 Christine C. - Everyone in the weapon's department of an SSBN is in a program known as PRP or Personel reliability program. Yes, we/they are monitored constantly and have no less than a confidential security clearance. Most a secret or top secret.
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PO2 Mark Evans
SP5 Christine C. - This is a strange conundrum. On the one hand we were the knuckleheads, I've never known a submariner that wasn't a bit crazy but on the other hand, we are all certified sane. Everyone talks to a shrink before getting sub duty and minor things that are almost expected other places will get your PRP pulled.
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SPC Darren Koele
PO2 Mark Evans - I would hope it would be TS only. Confidential and Secret are pretty easy get. I had a Secret security clearance and it was nothing more than paperwork and a background check. Sure, maybe interviews or outright denial would have occurred if they found something hinky in the check or if I outright lied about something, but it wasn't a big deal. My wife had TS/SCI when she was with the FBI and later a contractor, but that'said whole other ball game; polygraphs, psych screenings, etc. I would hope the people pushing "the button" had something resembling that.
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PO2 Mark Evans
SPC Darren Koele - I can only speak to my time in the 70's and 80's but back then you only got the clearance you needed to do your job but the PRP program is a whole nother layer beyond the security clearance.
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I was a Programmer Test Station operator with the Pershing Missile System ( 1rst Plt C Battery 3rd/84th FA 70-73 ). We in the firing squad discussed this question many times. All agreed that we would do our jobs as ordered. Each time the klaxon went off we counted our missiles down not knowing if this was the real thing or a drill. So the answer on my part is yes I could and would count down to launch.
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Ask the bomber crew of WWII or Vietnam. Some time they could see the whites of the enemy's eyes.....,
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