Posted on Sep 27, 2016
Is a commander legally allowed to order a soldier/subordinate to his death? - Quora
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I never ordered anyone to their death but I did lead men in harm's way. How about you?
Is a commander legally allowed to order a soldier/subordinate to his death? - Quora
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Leadership
Leadership
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 13
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A leader could order you into a situation where the enemy is throwing a thousand grenades at you but cannot order you to throw yourself on a grenade.
When a leader says “take the hill” he/she has the responsibility to make sure that you were trained, equipped and otherwise physically and mentally prepared to take the objective. The leader should try to get as much support as possible whether, it be direct, indirect or CAS and medical treatment to include a Dust Off. This also means using cover, concealment and making sure support fires lift and shifts as appropriate.
Your going up the hill is either the main or a supporting effort in the overall mission of “taking the hill” and failing to do so when all other considerations and contingencies have been planned for and coordinated will land you in front of a court martial.
When a leader says “take the hill” he/she has the responsibility to make sure that you were trained, equipped and otherwise physically and mentally prepared to take the objective. The leader should try to get as much support as possible whether, it be direct, indirect or CAS and medical treatment to include a Dust Off. This also means using cover, concealment and making sure support fires lift and shifts as appropriate.
Your going up the hill is either the main or a supporting effort in the overall mission of “taking the hill” and failing to do so when all other considerations and contingencies have been planned for and coordinated will land you in front of a court martial.
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Charge of the Light Brigade? .... I mean that's the question right? While I agree we all have the right to question questionable orders if that Hill or the beach must be taken well it has to be taken. Senseless loss of life due to incompetence has been rampant through Military history, we the griss for the mill can at best offer other tactical solutions and hope for the best.
This isn't an easy job we all have but if it was then the special flowers would be doing it.
This isn't an easy job we all have but if it was then the special flowers would be doing it.
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I don't think they SHOULD be able to say "you will go out as a decoy and be killed..." or some other such thing, and pretty sure that if they do the soldier can refuse said order as it is unlawful to order a man to his death. Now, if the whole unit is going into the same combat zone that is a different situation. Everyone is at the same risk, and it is their job to be there. This discussion will probably get lots of responses CPT Jack Durish
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SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee Move out and draw fire, yes, act as a decoy and get killed, no.
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Barry Davidson
I've seen this question more than once in my time. I know I'm a civilian, but spent almost half my live on military bases. As an adult I've also tackled many subjects military. Some of you might argue that I can't know the reality, and perhaps you're right. I haven't been there or done that.
The real question is, "Do commanders send out troops knowing they're going to die?" Yes. We could even go further and say, Do commanders send soldiers out to die even if they have solid intelligence that it's a suicide mission, but to reveal that intelligence would compromise the mission as a whole - not to mention the source of that intelligence?" Again, yes.
The questions by themselves, as an ethical exercise, don't take into consideration outside factors which might warrant such an order.
I highly doubt many would accept an order from higher to pick a man from their unit/platoon to send to their death. Again, there would be other factors which would need to be explained, but you don't always have that time in every situation. Lets say, for the sake of this argument, that a platoon is cut off, and under fire with several wounded. If they stay, even a few more minutes, they'll be overrun. Let's also say that the company commander contacts the platoon leader and tells him to pick one man to cover them while the rest exfiltrate.
In these types of situations there are probably still soldiers who would volunteer. The platoon leader might even ask for volunteers instead of just picking someone. However, there might be more than one volunteer. It will then be the platoon leader's responsibility to pick one. What if no one does though?
Keep in mind that there isn't much time before their position is overrun. This isn't just something that you can hand over to the 1st Sgt. You. The platoon leader. Must make a decision that will get as many of your men to safety as possible. Even without orders from higher you might have to make a decision like this. The real question becomes not, "Should you give an order knowing the man will die," but, "Can you make that call?"
Can you, as a leader, order men to their death to accomplish your mission? The missions is irrelevant. (Trying to stay ahead of arguments like, "What if the mission is unethical or unsound?" Your career might survive refusing and order if that order was something like, "I want to and your men to enter that village and slaughter every first born child.")
If you're not 100% sure that's okay because no one can know for sure until they're in that situation. If you're sure you cannot or will not give that order, perhaps a position as S4 in a read area is where you need to be.
The real question is, "Do commanders send out troops knowing they're going to die?" Yes. We could even go further and say, Do commanders send soldiers out to die even if they have solid intelligence that it's a suicide mission, but to reveal that intelligence would compromise the mission as a whole - not to mention the source of that intelligence?" Again, yes.
The questions by themselves, as an ethical exercise, don't take into consideration outside factors which might warrant such an order.
I highly doubt many would accept an order from higher to pick a man from their unit/platoon to send to their death. Again, there would be other factors which would need to be explained, but you don't always have that time in every situation. Lets say, for the sake of this argument, that a platoon is cut off, and under fire with several wounded. If they stay, even a few more minutes, they'll be overrun. Let's also say that the company commander contacts the platoon leader and tells him to pick one man to cover them while the rest exfiltrate.
In these types of situations there are probably still soldiers who would volunteer. The platoon leader might even ask for volunteers instead of just picking someone. However, there might be more than one volunteer. It will then be the platoon leader's responsibility to pick one. What if no one does though?
Keep in mind that there isn't much time before their position is overrun. This isn't just something that you can hand over to the 1st Sgt. You. The platoon leader. Must make a decision that will get as many of your men to safety as possible. Even without orders from higher you might have to make a decision like this. The real question becomes not, "Should you give an order knowing the man will die," but, "Can you make that call?"
Can you, as a leader, order men to their death to accomplish your mission? The missions is irrelevant. (Trying to stay ahead of arguments like, "What if the mission is unethical or unsound?" Your career might survive refusing and order if that order was something like, "I want to and your men to enter that village and slaughter every first born child.")
If you're not 100% sure that's okay because no one can know for sure until they're in that situation. If you're sure you cannot or will not give that order, perhaps a position as S4 in a read area is where you need to be.
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