One must begin with the ultimate task one can be
called upon to do in the armed services.
Under the extreme stress of conflict with one’s life on the line, one must
be willing at a moment’s notice to die; willing to die for others; if an officer,
willing to send others to their deaths; and, of course; willing to kill. Considering these essentials it is necessary
to instill beforehand the appropriateness and necessity of the action and a
behavior that has become almost reflexive under conditions of incessant hazard.
I say “almost” because the specific
situation will always require judgment. The ability to make good snap judgments under
pressure and the reflexive willingness to carry them out is called for. This goes for all, not just the
officers. The withering nature of boot
camp where the recruit is constantly under physical and psychological attack is
designed not only to hone one to follow orders, but to paradoxically elicit an
inner strength when all self-dignity has been stripped away. One’s survivor instinct is tapped. There is a new dignity based on “I can do
this…I have done this…I have survived this” coupled with a primordial will to
win. Viewed from civilian life, there appear
to be way too many rules and restrictions in the military and unnecessary recruit
debasement. This judgment made from
civilian safety, security, and tranquility has questionable value.
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