Posted on Sep 15, 2015
What strategies does the military use to train soldiers to kill?
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This question is a very difficult question and many people who have a liberal aspect on war have problems with the military. This is where it comes into play, at basic training, I believe that the ultimate goal of Drill Sergeants is to make us soldiers who are willing to fight. I mean at least that's what my Drill Sergeants did to me. But what is it that they do or the military does period to convince us that we are always the good guys and need to take that shot before its taken at us. I mean yeah, its human nature sometimes, but life has value and the military often is good at teaching you how and when to pull the trigger without even thinking.
11B: Infantryman
Combat
Combatives
Drill Sergeant
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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You can read as much military doctrine as you wish, the word, "kill" is never used in training Soldiers. Soldiers are trained to shoot, move, and communicate. Trained to neutralize the threat.
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SFC (Join to see)
I think you have two decent answers right here. Consider also that a capture is often much more valuable that a kill. The HUMINT (human intelligence) aspect is huge.
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SGT Jerrold Pesz
The word "kill" may not be used in training today but in the sixties it was used a lot. Anyone else remember "What's the spirit of the infantry? TO KILL!"?
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SFC Michael Whipple
Cpl George Randitsas - Based off DOCTRINE, the word in question was never used. I didn't say we didn't use it.
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As a soldier first, infantryman second, we're never taught to pull the trigger without thinking. With every order to kill comes the individual's own assessment of the order: lawful or unlawful.
The military doesn't actually teach a soldier to kill, it teaches him/her how to fight, the actual act of killing only comes because the soldier was trained how to properly fight.
The bottom line is, the military gives you the tools and training necessary to kill, but it's up to the actual individual to not only teach themselves to kill, but to determine if the "enemy" is a lawful combatant, regardless of orders.
The military doesn't actually teach a soldier to kill, it teaches him/her how to fight, the actual act of killing only comes because the soldier was trained how to properly fight.
The bottom line is, the military gives you the tools and training necessary to kill, but it's up to the actual individual to not only teach themselves to kill, but to determine if the "enemy" is a lawful combatant, regardless of orders.
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SGT Jonathon Caldwell
Good answer SGT William Shelby. You are exactly right with the lawful or unlawful order. There is still a thought process even if it is split second running through your mind.
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First off, good question.
Personally, I think it is all a matter of self-defense; not just you, but your buddies to your left and right. I've been to memorial ceremonies and got choked up for people I'd never heard of, so I can only imagine how it must be for someone you DO know. Do you really want to put your friends and family through the anguish of your funeral, or the friends and family of your buddy? Sure, love of country and freedom are noble things to fight for, but those can sometimes be a bit distant, whereas your battle buddy is tangible.
People who know me know I am an easy-going guy with hatred for virtually no one, but if I ever get into a situation where it's me or him, I'm going to do my best to make sure it's me that's left standing.
Personally, I think it is all a matter of self-defense; not just you, but your buddies to your left and right. I've been to memorial ceremonies and got choked up for people I'd never heard of, so I can only imagine how it must be for someone you DO know. Do you really want to put your friends and family through the anguish of your funeral, or the friends and family of your buddy? Sure, love of country and freedom are noble things to fight for, but those can sometimes be a bit distant, whereas your battle buddy is tangible.
People who know me know I am an easy-going guy with hatred for virtually no one, but if I ever get into a situation where it's me or him, I'm going to do my best to make sure it's me that's left standing.
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